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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Meal Type » Soups » Chicken Clear Soup

    Published: Jan 23, 2023 | Last Updated On: Jan 23, 2023 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Chicken Clear Soup

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    Jump to Recipe

    Light, hearty and delicious, Chicken Clear Soup is super easy to make at home. It is made using simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. This soul-soothing soup is gluten-free and low carb too.

    Here are some more soup recipes that you may like – Tom Kha Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Chinese Hot and Sour Soup, Tomato Basil Soup, Egg Drop Soup, Instant Pot Taco Soup, and Healthy Carrot Ginger Soup.

    Chicken Clear Soup served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About Chicken Clear Soup
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Clear Chicken Soup
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Pro Tips By Neha
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Chicken Clear Soup

    Soup is something that comforts me instantly, when I am feeling sick or not in my best form. That’s when a simple meal of soup such as this Chicken Clear Soup recharges me and helps me in walking extra miles.

    Made using simple ingredients and in under 30 minutes, this clear soup is light, healthy, delicious, and soul-soothing. It’s gluten-free and low carb too.

    Clear Soup is basically a rich flavored clear broth made using any meat, veggies, spices, herbs, and other flavorings. The ingredients are simmered for a long time resulting in deep rich flavors. It is great to serve if you have a cold or fever.

    This Chinese-style Clear Soup right here is just perfect, as it is neither too heavy on the stomach nor it is too light. It is both filling and wholesome. You just need some simple ingredients such as bone-in chicken, onions, garlic, bay leaves, some whole spices, salt, and pepper, and you are sorted.

    This chicken clear soup recipe can be made in an instant pot or a traditional stovetop pressure cooker. You can double or triple it too.

    Ingredients

    Chicken clear soup ingredients.

    Chicken – This soup is best made using skinless bone-in chicken as the bones release a lot of flavor into the broth.

    If you are not comfortable with bone-in chicken, then use boneless chicken breasts.

    Veggies – You will need carrots, red onions, and garlic. To make the soup even more flavorful, add some chopped celery as well.

    Others – You will also need bay leaves, fresh thyme, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.

    If fresh thyme is not available, then you can use dried thyme as well.

    How To Make Clear Chicken Soup

    Wash 10 oz (300 g) of skinless bone-in chicken (cut into 1 and ½-inch pieces) well with water.

    Note – It’s good to use chicken with bones to make clear soup as the bones add a lot of flavors. In case bone-in chicken is not available or you are not comfortable with it, then use 7 oz (200 g) of boneless chicken.

    Cook The Chicken

    In A Stovetop Pressure Cooker

    Add the chicken to a stove-top pressure cooker along with

    • ¼ cup chopped onions
    • 3-4 cloves of garlic (smashed)
    • ¼ cup of chopped carrot
    • 2 whole bay leaves
    • 2-3 sprigs of thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
    • 4 cups of water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

    and stir gently.

    Pressure cook for 2 whistles on high heat.

    Remove the pressure cooker from heat. Let the pressure release naturally and then open the lid of the cooker.

    In An Instant Pot

    Add the chicken to an instant pot along with

    • ¼ cup chopped onions
    • 3-4 cloves of garlic (smashed)
    • ¼ cup of chopped carrot
    • 2 whole bay leaves
    • 2-3 sprigs of thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
    • 3 cups of water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

    and stir gently.

    All the ingredients added to an instant pot.
    Stirred well.

    Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.

    Press the PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 2 minutes at high pressure.

    Lid closed.

    Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

    Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

    Cooked soup.

    Make The Soup

    Strain the soup using a fine-mesh strainer.

    Soup strained.
    Ready broth.

    Take out the chicken pieces and shred them into small pieces. Discard the bones and veggies.

    Shredded chicken.

    Add a few shredded pieces to each serving bowl and pour the clear soup on top.

    Some shredded chicken added to the serving bowl.

    Garnish with spring onion greens. Serve hot.

    Ready chicken clear soup.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make a Mexican version of clear chicken soup?

    If you want to make a Mexican version of this soup, add some chopped tomatoes and taco seasoning along with the veggies before cooking the chicken.

    Once the soup is ready, top it up with grated cheddar cheese and tortilla chips. 

    How to make a Thai version of clear chicken soup?

    To make a Thai version, add some garlic, fresh ginger, green onions, cilantro, lemongrass, and lime zest along with the veggies before cooking the chicken. Once the soup is ready, add some lime juice, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Garnish the soup with chopped red chilies and cilantro.

    Can we add egg to the clear soup recipe?

    Yes, you can. Once the soup is ready, keep the pot over low heat (or press SAUTE button if making it an instant pot). Then slowly pour a whisked egg while whisking with the other hand. Cook for a minute until the egg is cooked and forms ribbons. Serve.

    What to do with leftover shredded chicken?

    If you end up with some shredded chicken after serving the clear chicken soup, you can use it to make sandwiches, wraps, or burritos. Use it just like you would use boiled shredded chicken in any of your recipes.

    Pro Tips By Neha

    If you don’t have a pressure cooker (or instant pot), then you can make the soup in a pan. Add 1 cup of extra water. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is tender. Follow the rest of the recipe as mentioned.

    You can add more vegetables like green beans, potatoes, celery, etc along with the chicken to make the clear soup even more nutritious and wholesome.

    Want to make it more filling for your meals? Then add some boiled noodles, chicken dim sums, or veg dim sums to the clear soup.

    You can also experiment with the seasonings. Add herbs like fresh parsley or rosemary, spice powders like sumac, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, etc.

    Make sure you do not overcook the chicken, otherwise it won’t shred well.

    You can also add finely chopped chicken pieces instead of shredded chicken to the soup.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can serve clear chicken soup on its own for a light dinner or with some hot steamed momos, fried rice, Hakka noodles, or dim sum. I like to add some boiled noodles or rice to it for a filling meal.

    Serve it as a starter for your Indo-Asian meals or even for your house parties. 

    Top the soup with sliced scallions before serving.

    Storage Suggestions

    Clear Chicken Soup stays good for 3 to 4 days. In fact, its flavor improves after a few days of making. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

    To further extend the shelf life of the soup, you can freeze it too. Cool it completely and store properly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and it can stay good for 1-2 months. Thaw before using, heat well, and serve.

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    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Light, hearty and delicious, Chicken Clear Soup is super easy to make at home. It is made using simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. This soul-soothing soup is gluten-free and low carb too.

    Chicken Clear Soup Recipe

    Light, hearty and delicious, Chicken Clear Soup is super easy to make at home. It is made using simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. This soul-soothing soup is gluten-free and low carb too.
    4.20 from 40 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American, Continental
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 172kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 10 ounce skinless bone-in chicken (300 g, cut into 1 and ½ inch pieces)
    • ¼ cup chopped onion
    • 3-4 whole garlic cloves (peeled and smashed)
    • ¼ cup chopped carrot
    • 2 whole bay leaves
    • 2-3 sprigs thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
    • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
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    Instructions

    • Wash 10 oz (300 g) of bone-in chicken well with water.

    Cook The Chicken

      In A Stovetop Pressure Cooker

      • Add the chicken to a stove-top pressure cooker along with onions, garlic, carrot, bay leaves, thyme, 4 cups of water, salt, and black pepper, and stir gently.
      • Pressure cook for 2 whistles on high heat.
      • Remove the pressure cooker from heat. Let the pressure release naturally and then open the lid of the cooker.

      In An Instant Pot

      • Add the chicken to an instant pot along with onions, garlic, carrot, bay leaves, thyme, 3 cups of water, salt, and black pepper, and stir gently.
      • Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
      • Press the PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 2 minutes at high pressure.
      • Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
      • Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

      Make The Soup

      • Strain the soup using a fine-mesh strainer.
      • Take out the chicken pieces and shred them into small pieces. Discard the bones and veggies.
      • Add a few shredded pieces to each serving bowl and pour the clear soup on top.
      • Garnish with spring onion greens. Serve hot.

      Notes

      It’s good to use chicken with bones to make clear soup as the bones add a lot of flavor. In case bone-in chicken is not available or you are not comfortable with it, then use 7 oz (200 g) of boneless chicken.
      If you don’t have a pressure cooker (or instant pot), then you can make the soup in a pan. Add 1 cup of extra water. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is tender. Follow the rest of the recipe as mentioned.
      You can add more vegetables like green beans, potatoes, celery, etc along with the chicken to make the clear soup even more nutritious and wholesome.
      Want to make it more filling for your meals? Then add some boiled noodles, chicken dim sums, or veg dim sums to the clear soup.
      You can also experiment with the seasonings. Add herbs like fresh parsley or rosemary, spice powders like sumac, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, etc.
      Make sure you do not overcook the chicken, otherwise it won’t shred well.
      You can also add finely chopped chicken pieces instead of shredded chicken to the soup.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 190mg | Vitamin A: 1465IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.8mg
      Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
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      More Soup Recipes

      • Made with chicken, noodles, vegetables, and spices, this easy-to-make Instant Pot Cuban Chicken Soup comes together in under 30 minutes. Try my easy recipe here.
        Instant Pot Cuban Chicken Soup (Sopa De Pollo)
      • Thai Green Curry Noodle Soup is a delicious recipe that is bursting with flavors. Make it for a quick weeknight dinner using my easy recipe.
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      • Tomato Basil Bisque is an easy-to-make creamy soup made using roasted tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh basil. My recipe makes the best homemade version of this soup. Here is how to make it.
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      • Tom Kha Soup is a traditional Thai coconut soup recipe that is made using fragrant herbs, spices, and coconut milk. This super flavorful soup can be made vegan, vegetarian, or with chicken and shrimp.
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

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        Recipe Rating




      1. ankita suman

        August 26, 2016 at 9:44 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for the recipe…we do not get thyme here….can you please tell me the substitute of it?
        Thank you.

        Reply
        • msnehamathur

          August 27, 2016 at 1:53 am

          You can use dried Thyme or skip it totally and use some other herbs that you get locally. It will be perfectly fine.

          Reply
      2. Rebekah

        October 22, 2018 at 3:57 pm

        What can you do if you do not have a pressure cooker?

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          October 31, 2018 at 1:29 pm

          You can make it in a pan on slow heat. Add more liquid than mentioned.

          Reply
        • Jenifer King

          March 08, 2020 at 7:51 am

          I have a slow cooker , would this be successful in it ?

          Reply
          • Neha Mathur

            March 08, 2020 at 3:16 pm

            Yes, ofcourse.

            Reply
      3. Leanne

        November 13, 2018 at 2:12 am

        Do you leave the skin on the chicken before cooking it?

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          November 13, 2018 at 3:05 pm

          I generally use skinless chicken.

          Reply
      4. Kim kukreti

        March 10, 2019 at 2:52 am

        Here in Dehradun, Thyme and oragano are even not available in big Malls.
        Could Tulsi or Ajwayen leaves be used

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          March 13, 2019 at 4:47 am

          You can use coriander instead. i would love to experiment with tulsi and ajwain flavour also.

          Reply
      5. Sonia

        July 29, 2019 at 2:21 pm

        5 stars
        Very tasty and easy to make .

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          July 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

          Thanks

          Reply
      6. Ronda

        December 09, 2019 at 6:37 am

        5 stars
        OMG this is so yummy. I had been searching for a good recipe. this is just like my grandmothers . thank you for putting up

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          December 10, 2019 at 5:04 am

          I am glad you liked it.

          Reply
      7. Ranvir kumar thakur

        January 05, 2020 at 2:46 pm

        Tried it. Tasted great. Pls share recipe for authentic Dal Kolhapuri. Thanks

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          January 06, 2020 at 9:12 am

          Thanks. Will share soon.

          Reply
      8. Michael

        April 14, 2020 at 5:00 am

        5 stars
        It’s easy to cook chicken soup according to your recipe. But very delicious. Thanks you for your share

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          April 14, 2020 at 7:48 am

          Happy that you liked it 🙂

          Reply
      9. Roses

        May 08, 2020 at 4:31 am

        5 stars
        This is my second time cooking this dish according to your recipe. I want to say that it was awesome. Thank you very much!

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          May 09, 2020 at 3:49 am

          Happy to hear 🙂

          Reply
      10. Natalie

        June 26, 2020 at 8:16 pm

        Hi!
        I have two ponds of bone in chicken breasts – so I thought o could double the recipe. And could I add shrimp to the recipe?
        Thanks!

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          June 28, 2020 at 3:50 am

          Yes sure, You can double the recipe and add shrimp too.

          Reply
          • Vee

            July 29, 2020 at 8:22 pm

            5 stars
            I tried it out. It was yummy and so easy to make.

            Reply
            • Neha Mathur

              July 31, 2020 at 4:08 am

              Thanks

              Reply
          • Suvadip Jana

            August 11, 2020 at 2:38 am

            5 stars
            So good

            Reply
            • Neha Mathur

              August 14, 2020 at 7:45 am

              Thanks

              Reply
      11. Peshali

        June 30, 2022 at 8:56 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for this recipe.
        I added a potato, a leek and noodles and I used curry leaves instead of bay leaves and thyme.
        I also added a dash of Worcestershire sauce and chilli oil at the end.
        I’m usually quite bad at making soups but this one came out really well 😅
        Thank you!

        Reply

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      Neha Mathur, Founder & Recipe Expert at Whisk Affair

      Hi! I'm Neha, Blogger & Recipe Expert behind Whisk Affair. I've nurtured Whisk Affair since 2012 by trying & testing every recipe published. Be sure that it will turn out good each time! Read More about me…

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