A big pot of chicken soup makes a welcoming meal on a cold evening. This archive recipe brings together chicken, vegetables, noodles and fresh herbs. Its old nickname is not a medical claim: this is a recipe to enjoy at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, about 2.5 kg
- 3 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 4 bay leaves
- 3–4 thyme sprigs
- 2 handfuls of noodles or spaghetti
- A small bunch each of parsley and dill, chopped
- Water to cover the chicken
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
- Place the chicken in a large stockpot and cover with water, leaving enough space to simmer safely. Do not wash raw chicken; splashes can spread bacteria. NSW Food Authority — Poultry and raw meat.
- Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Skim the surface if needed.
- Add the vegetables, garlic, bay leaves and thyme. Simmer gently for about another hour. Check the thickest part of the chicken with a food thermometer: poultry should reach at least 75°C. Time alone does not establish that it is cooked. Healthdirect — Food safety.
- Carefully lift the cooked chicken onto a clean tray. Remove the bay leaves and thyme stems from the soup. Keep the vegetables in the broth.
- When cool enough to handle, remove the chicken skin and bones and shred the meat. Cook the noodles in the broth according to their packet instructions.
- Return the chicken to the soup, heat through and stir in the parsley and dill. Taste before seasoning.
Make it work for your table
For a meat-free option, use cooked chickpeas, lentils or beans with vegetable stock and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Or try our autumn vegetable and bean soup.
Cool leftovers quickly in smaller containers and refrigerate. Reheat until at least 75°C in the centre. Healthdirect — Food safety.
Check noodle ingredients for egg or wheat if you have dietary requirements. For questions about food and skin, our eczema guide is a separate starting point. The clinic lists dietary review within an initial naturopathy consultation. Melbourne Wellness — Services.
Discuss suitability at a consultation.
Sources
Read 15 October 2026. Clinical sources support the adjacent general information; clinic links verify the advertised appointment menu.
- NSW Food Authority — Poultry and raw meat — Australian food-safety guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Healthdirect — Food safety — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Melbourne Wellness — Services — current clinic facts; accessed 2026-10-15.
