Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
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1 whole chicken (at least 4 lbs, antibiotic-free and hormone-free preferred)
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1 heaping tablespoon ghee
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6 cups clean water
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1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
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1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary (optional)
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1/2 teaspoon thyme (optional)
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
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1 cup heavy cream (grass-fed preferred)
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2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Defrost the Chicken:
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If frozen, place the chicken in the refrigerator to fully defrost.
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Remove the innards (if included) and set them aside for other uses.
Prepare the Cooking Pot:
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Rinse the chicken and pat it dry.
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In a stainless steel crockpot or slow cooker with a sauté function, melt the ghee.
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Add salt, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper to the melted ghee.
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Allow the spices to warm slightly to release their flavors.
Brown the Chicken:
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Place the chicken breast-side up in the pot.
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Sauté for about 15 minutes, until the bottom is browned.
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Flip the chicken and brown the other side for another 5-10 minutes.
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Browning deepens the broth’s flavor.
Slow Cook the Chicken:
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Add 6 cups of clean water to the pot.
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If in a hurry, bring the water to a boil using the sauté function before switching to slow cook.
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Cover and set the slow cooker on low for 4 hours (or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender).
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At 3.5 hours, check for doneness by pulling on a leg; if it detaches easily, the chicken is ready.
Strain and Shred:
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Remove the chicken and set it aside to cool slightly.
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Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve, reserving the liquid.
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Debone the chicken, shredding or dicing the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Final Assembly:
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Return the chicken to the strained broth.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
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Add the butter and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine.
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Let the residual heat melt the butter and warm the cream without boiling.
Serve and Enjoy:
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Ladle into bowls, ensuring equal portions of chicken and broth.
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Optionally, garnish with extra rosemary or black pepper.
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Serve immediately while hot.
This homemade cream of chicken soup is rich, nourishing, and deeply flavorful. Perfect for a cozy meal!