| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 90 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 15g | 4g | 16g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 3g | 30g | 1.2g |
I’ve always had a love for comforting, hearty soups, and I must say, this recipe for Yarrow Chicken Soup: A hearty chicken soup seasoned with fresh yarrow leaves is a particular favorite of mine. This soup, resplendent with the savory depth of chicken, sweet vegetables, and punctuated by the distinct, slightly bitter, and aromatic yarrow leaves, indeed, has a way of warming your body, soothing your spirit, and delighting your taste buds.
An Ode to Yarrow Chicken Soup
The base ingredients for this Yarrow Chicken Soup are quite similar to those you’d find in a traditional chicken soup. Still, the inclusion of yarrow—a herb historically used to heal wounds and illnesses—gives our normal chicken soup an unexpected, yet charmingly welcome, twist. That’s a testament to my love for introducing traditional recipes with a modern twist, echoing my culinary journey that started in Texas, a state known for its vibrant amalgamation of flavors arising from its Tex-Mex heritage.
Healthful and Heartwarming
The Yarrow Chicken Soup isn’t just a delicious, soul-stirring delight; it’s also packed with multiple health benefits. Chicken, of course, is a good source of protein, but it’s the yarrow leaves that steal the show here. Yarrow is historically known for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic benefits—ideal to soothe your belly and boost your immune system. Add to this the nutritional punch of the colorful array of vegetables, and you’ve got a meal that’s as good for your health as it is luscious.
Finally, I must mention that this Yarrow Chicken Soup reminds me of the traditional Chicken Dumpling Soup my grandma used to make. The taste is different, of course, thanks to the yarrow, but the heartwarming, comforting spirit remains the same. It pairs well as a standalone dish for dinner, or alongside a fresh, crunchy salad or a portion of warm, toasted bread. It’s a sentimental, flavorful journey in a bowl.
What You’ll Need
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 cups water
- 1/2 cup fresh yarrow leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 bay leaves
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the chicken. Clean it thoroughly and pat dry with a paper towel. Put it aside for now.
Step Two
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, celery, carrots and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté these ingredients until they are soft.
Step Three
Add the chicken to the pot with the vegetables, then add 10 cups of water. Make sure that the water is covering the chicken. If it’s not, add some more until it does.
Step Four
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low. Add in the fresh yarrow leaves and season the soup with salt and pepper. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the chicken is cooked and tender.
Step Five
Remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool down a bit before handling – approximately 15 to 20 minutes should be enough. Once it’s cool, remove the skin and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Step Six
Return the shredded chicken back to the pot, then add the diced tomatoes, fresh parsley, and bay leaves. Let the soup simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Step Seven
Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaves, then ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy your Yarrow Chicken Soup!
