Best 10 California Chicken Soup Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**California Chicken Soup: A Culinary Journey Through Freshness and Flavor**

Embark on a culinary adventure with California chicken soup, a delightful dish that embodies the vibrant spirit of California cuisine. This tantalizing soup is a symphony of fresh, seasonal ingredients, each contributing its unique flavor to create a harmonious and unforgettable experience. From the succulent chicken and tender vegetables to the aromatic herbs and zesty citrus, every spoonful promises a burst of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're seeking a comforting meal on a chilly evening or a light and refreshing lunch option, California chicken soup is the perfect choice. Discover the diverse recipes within this article, ranging from the classic and comforting to the innovative and modern, each offering a unique interpretation of this Californian classic.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SOUP



California Chicken Soup image

This is a hearty and flavorful chicken soup with an Italian flare that includes tortellini, onion, carrot, and fresh broccoli. The soup was made for a 4-H cooking contest and has been a family favorite ever since. It's also wonderful when re-heated for serving the next day.

Provided by JOANG2

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Noodle Soup Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (48 fluid ounce) can chicken broth
3 cups water
2 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - diced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 dash garlic salt
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 (9 ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring the broth and water to a boil in a large pot, and mix in chicken, onion, and carrots. Season with lemon pepper, oregano, and garlic salt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear.
  • Stir the broccoli into the pot, and cook 10 minutes. Stir in the tortellini, and continue cooking 10 minutes, or until tortellini is al dente. Mix in the Paremsan cheese just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 176.1 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 36.5 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 1156.2 mg, Sugar 3.3 g

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SOUP



California Chicken Soup image

Make and share this California Chicken Soup recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Miss Rainy

Categories     Stocks

Time 1h30m

Yield 5 gallons, 85 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

7 lbs cooked chicken breasts, and shredded
3 -4 gallons water or 3 -4 gallons broth
8 cups chopped curly kale
8 cups chopped celery
6 cups diced yellow onions
6 cups carrots, coins
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
5 tablespoons salt
1/2 cup olive oil
4 bay leaves
4 lbs egg noodles, cooked al dente

Steps:

  • Bake chicken in pans at 350 degrees F for 20 min or until cooked.
  • Prepare celery, onion, carrot and garlic while chicken is cooking.
  • Saute garlic, onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until onions are translucent.
  • Add water, salt, pepper, bay leaves and kale.
  • bring to a boil then reduce to med-high heat and simmer for 20 minute.
  • Add chicken and simmer for another 20 minutes.
  • Add cooked egg noodles before serving, keep egg noodles seperate so they don't get mushy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.2, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 49.4, Sodium 460.2, Carbohydrate 18.2, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.4, Protein 14.7

CHICKEN SOUP



Chicken Soup image

Ina Garten uses rich homemade stock to make her Chicken Soup recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network; she serves it with matzo balls for ultimate comfort.

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 1h35m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

3 (5-pound) roasting chickens
3 large yellow onions, unpeeled and quartered
6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
4 stalks celery with leaves, cut into thirds
4 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in half (optional)
20 sprigs fresh parsley
15 sprigs fresh thyme
20 sprigs fresh dill
1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
4 cups 1/4-inch-diced carrots
4 cups 1/4-inch-diced celery
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
Matzo Balls, (see recipe)
4 extra-large eggs, separated
1/2 cup good chicken stock
1/4 cup rendered chicken fat, melted
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for egg whites
1 cup matzo meal

Steps:

  • Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, and seasonings in a 16- to 20-quart stockpot. Add 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. Remove 2 of the chickens and allow to cool slightly. Remove the breast meat from both chickens and set aside. Return the remaining chicken and carcasses to the pot and continue simmering, uncovered, for 3 more hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander and chill. Remove the surface fat, then reheat the stock as follows, or pack in containers and freeze.
  • To serve the soup, return the stock to the pot and reheat, adding the diced carrots, celery, dill, and parsley. Shred the reserved chicken breast meat into large pieces and add to the stock. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes to cook the vegetables and reheat the chicken. Season, to taste, and serve as is, or ladle each serving over 2 warm Matzo Balls.
  • Whisk together the egg yolks, chicken stock, chicken fat, parsley, and salt. Stir in the matzo meal. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are stiff. Whisk them into the matzo mixture until it is smooth. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or until the mixture is thick.
  • Form balls the size of golf balls by shaping them with 2 spoons, rolling them with your hands, or scooping them with a small ice cream scoop. Drop them into simmering chicken stock and cook for 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and puffed, turning once. Remove and serve hot in chicken soup.

SIMPLE CHICKEN SOUP



Simple Chicken Soup image

This comfort food classic is just as flavorful and soul-satisfying as Grandma's chicken soup, but where hers took several hours-or a day-to make, ours takes under an hour. Instead of long-simmered stock, we start with store-bought chicken broth and water but enrich them with stock vegetables and the carcass, bones and meat of a leftover roast chicken.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 55m

Yield 8 cups (4 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Carcass and bones from one 4- to 5-pound roast chicken (or a mild-flavored rotisserie chicken)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 medium carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
2 celery stalks, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup white rice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • Put the bones and carcass from a leftover chicken (they can be in pieces) in a large pot. Cover with the broth and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Skim any foam or fat from the broth with a ladle as necessary.
  • Remove the bones and carcass with tongs or a slotted spoon; set aside to cool. Add the carrots, celery, onion and bay leaf to the broth, bring back to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are about half cooked (they will still have resistance when tested with a knife but be somewhat pliable when bent), about 10 minutes. Stir in the rice (to keep it from sticking to the bottom), and cook until the grains are just al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, when the carcass and bones are cool enough to handle, pick off the meat, and shred it into bite-size pieces.
  • When the rice is done, add the meat to the broth and simmer until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157, Fat 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Cholesterol 24 milligrams, Sodium 272 milligrams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 15 grams, Sugar 3 grams

CALIFORNIA CHEESE SOUP



California Cheese Soup image

This quick and easy recipe will become a favorite in your home.-Darla Dockter, Fargo, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 50m

Yield 10-12 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 quart water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
2-1/2 cups diced peeled potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
1 package (16 ounces) frozen California-blend vegetables
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 pound process cheese (Velveeta), cubed

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil in a large kettle; add next six ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in soup and cheese; cook until soup is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts :

BASIC CHICKEN SOUP



Basic Chicken Soup image

Everyone has their own favorite chicken soup recipe, but rarely have so few ingredients added up to so much comfort. This version has classic flavors and, thanks to a simplified method, cooks more quickly than traditional chicken soups (the dish is ready in a little over an hour). There's no need to make a separate stock; the vegetables and meat form their own satisfying broth.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces (including back)
8 cups water
Coarse salt
3 medium onions, thinly sliced (4 cups)
2 celery stalks, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
4 garlic cloves, crushed
6 medium carrots, sliced 1/2 inch thick

Steps:

  • Bring chicken, water, and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil in a large stockpot. Skim foam. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
  • Remove breast, and set aside. Add carrots. Simmer, partially covered, for 40 minutes.
  • Remove remaining chicken; discard back and wings. Let cool slightly. Remove meat from bones, and cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Stir in desired amount of chicken; reserve the rest for another use. Skim fat. Season with salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 g, Cholesterol 117 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 38 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 718 g

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN CASSEROLE



California Chicken Casserole image

"I love to try new recipes, and this chicken and vegetable combo passed my family's taste test," reports Debbie Kokes of Tabor, South Dakota. "If there are leftovers, I package them for my husband to reheat in the microwave."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/3 cup 2% milk
1 package (16 ounces) frozen California-blend vegetables, thawed
1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Hot cooked rice

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine soup and milk. Stir in the vegetables, chicken, 1-1/4 cups cheese, pimientos, salt and pepper. Transfer to a greased 9-in. square baking dish. , Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; top with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 362 calories, Fat 19g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 90mg cholesterol, Sodium 737mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN SOUP



Homemade Chicken Soup image

Homemade chicken soup - but you don't have to be sick to deserve or enjoy it - you do, so do! Good for body and soul!

Provided by Jill

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Chicken Soup Recipes

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (3 pound) whole chicken
4 carrots, halved
4 stalks celery, halved
1 large onion, halved
water to cover
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules

Steps:

  • Put the chicken, carrots, celery and onion in a large soup pot and cover with cold water. Heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken meat falls off of the bones (skim off foam every so often).
  • Take everything out of the pot. Strain the broth. Pick the meat off of the bones and chop the carrots, celery and onion. Season the broth with salt, pepper and chicken bouillon to taste, if desired. Return the chicken, carrots, celery and onion to the pot, stir together, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 151.7 calories, Carbohydrate 4.2 g, Cholesterol 36.9 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 67.6 mg, Sugar 2 g

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN



California Chicken image

This recipe is great for summertime veggies from the garden, and quick too!

Provided by Ingrid

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon olive oil
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
2 avocados - peeled, pitted and sliced
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 (8 ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 10 slices

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Warm oil in skillet and add chicken and onion. Cook 15 minutes or until chicken is browned and just about done. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place chicken on cookie sheet and top each breast with 1 to 2 slices of tomato and 2 to 3 slices of cheese. Place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts. Remove from oven, add 2 to 3 slices of avocado on top of each breast, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.7 calories, Carbohydrate 12.1 g, Cholesterol 121.8 mg, Fat 36.7 g, Fiber 7.6 g, Protein 42.8 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 373 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

CHICKEN SOUP FROM SCRATCH



Chicken Soup From Scratch image

Chicken soup is one of the most painless and pleasing recipes a home cook can master. This soup has all the classic flavors (celery, carrot, parsley) but has been updated for today's cooks, who can't easily buy the stewing hen and packet of soup vegetables that old-fashioned recipes used to call for. A whole bird provides the right combination of fat, salt and flavor. Don't be tempted to use all white meat, as the flavor won't be as round. Because making soup involves the bones and deep tissues of the bird, it is particularly reassuring here to use the highest-quality poultry you can find. This method produces a fragrant, golden, savory soup you want to eat all winter long; it's a perfect backdrop for noodles, rice or matzo balls.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, lunch, soups and stews, appetizer, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 chicken, 3 to 3 1/2 pounds, with skin, cut up
3 stalks celery, with leaves, cut into chunks
2 large carrots, cut into chunks
2 yellow onions, peeled and halved
1 parsnip or parsley root (optional)
About 1 dozen large sprigs parsley
About 1 dozen black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
3 tablespoons reserved chicken fat, more if needed
3 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise, rinsed and sliced crosswise into thin half-moons
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into small dice
Kosher salt and ground black or white pepper
Egg noodles (fresh or dried), such as packaged wide noodles, spaetzle, fettuccine or pappardelle cut into short lengths (see note)
Finely chopped herbs, such as parsley, scallions, dill or a combination

Steps:

  • Place the chicken, celery, carrots, onions, parsnip (if using), parsley, peppercorns, bay leaves and salt in a large soup pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to very low. Adjust the heat until the soup is "smiling": barely moving on the surface, with an occasional bubble breaking through. Cook uncovered, until the chicken is very tender and falling off the bone, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • When cool enough to handle, use tongs to transfer chicken from the pot to a container. Taste the broth and continue to simmer it until it is concentrated and tasty. Strain broth through a fine sieve (or a colander lined with cheesecloth) into a separate container. Discard all the solids from the strainer (or reserve the vegetables, chill and serve with vinaigrette, if you wish).
  • Refrigerate chicken pieces and broth separately for at least 8 hours (or up to 3 days), until a thick layer of yellow fat has risen to the top of the broth.
  • When ready to finish the soup, use your fingers to separate chicken breast meat from bones and skin. Discard bones and skin. Use two forks to pull the breast meat apart into soft chunks, or use a knife and cut into bite-size pieces. (Reserve dark meat for another use.)
  • Skim chicken fat from top of broth and set aside. Place 3 tablespoons of the fat in a soup pot with a lid. Add leeks, stir to coat, and heat over medium heat until leeks begin to fry. Then reduce the heat to a gentle sizzle and cook, stirring often, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
  • Add carrots, sprinkle with salt, stir, and cover the pot. Cook until vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes more. (Keep in mind that vegetables will continue to cook in the soup.) Do not brown.
  • Pour broth into pot with vegetables and heat to a simmer. Add noodles and simmer until heated through, soft and plumped with chicken broth. Add the breast meat, then taste broth and add salt and pepper to taste. For best flavor, soup should have some golden droplets of fat on top; if needed, add more chicken fat one teaspoon at a time.
  • Serve immediately, in a tureen or from the pot, sprinkling each serving with herbs.

Tips:

  • Prep Ahead: Save time by chopping vegetables and prepping ingredients in advance.
  • Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh veggies pack more flavor and nutrients than frozen or canned.
  • Season Wisely: Balance flavors with herbs, spices, and a touch of acidity (lemon juice or vinegar).
  • Cook in Batches: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for quick meals later.
  • Store Properly: Let soup cool completely before refrigerating or freezing to maintain its quality.

Conclusion:

California Chicken Soup is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a comforting meal or a healing remedy. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, it's a perfect choice for busy home cooks or those looking for a nutritious and flavorful meal. Experiment with different vegetable combinations, herbs, and spices to create your own unique version of this classic soup. Whether you're fighting a cold, craving comfort food, or simply looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, California Chicken Soup is sure to hit the spot. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's get cooking!

Related Topics