This Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is a rich, flavorful dish that balances umami from Parmesan rind with the creaminess of yogurt, making it an unforgettable soup. The addition of fresh vegetables, pasta, and tender chicken makes this a hearty and comforting winter meal. The recipe also includes a burst of freshness from lemon and dill, creating a perfect balance of flavors. This soup can be made in advance and stored, making it ideal for busy days.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

500g skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
1 head of garlic, skin on and halved widthways
1 onion, peeled and quartered
1 litre chicken stock
2 tbsp olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and roughly cut into 1 ½ cm cubes (220g)
3 sticks of celery, sliced into roughly 1cm-thick slices (200g)
60g Parmesan, finely grated, plus the rind reserved
180g orecchiette (or a similar pasta shape)
115g Greek yogurt
2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
10g dill fronds
Fine sea salt and black pepper

Directions

Cook the Chicken: In a large saucepan, combine the chicken, garlic head, onion, stock, 1 litre of water, and salt. Bring to a boil uncovered, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender. Remove the chicken, discard the skin and bones, and shred the meat. Set aside.
Strain the Stock: Strain the stock through a sieve placed over a medium saucepan. You should have 1.7 litres of stock.
Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add carrots and celery, cooking for 4 minutes until slightly softened. Add crushed garlic and Parmesan rind, cooking for 30 more seconds.
Simmer the Soup: Pour in the 1.7 litres of stock, add salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Blend the Soup: Transfer 400g of the soup to a blender, adding yogurt and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
Cook the Pasta: Return the soup to the saucepan, add orecchiette, shredded chicken, and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
Combine the Soup: Discard the Parmesan rind and stir the blended soup back into the saucepan.
Serve: Divide soup into bowls, topping with dill, a grind of pepper, and grated Parmesan.

Nutrients

Calories: 881
Total Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 344mg
Sodium: 3286mg
Carbohydrates: 82g
Dietary Fiber: 9g
Sugars: 8g
Protein: 42g
Vitamin C: 26mg
Calcium: 232mg
Iron: 6mg

A Flavorful and Umami-Rich Base

What sets this chicken soup apart from others is its rich and umami-packed base, created by simmering chicken thighs with garlic, onion, and Parmesan rind. The Parmesan rind imparts a savory depth that enhances the overall flavor of the broth, providing a background note that brings everything together. Parmesan, known for its salty, nutty flavor, infuses the soup with its distinct taste, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile. The chicken thighs, cooked with the skin and bone intact, release juices and fats that contribute to the soup’s richness, making it incredibly flavorful. The combination of these ingredients, simmered together in chicken stock, creates a foundation for the soup that is both comforting and complex.

The Role of Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables play a significant role in adding texture, flavor, and nutrition to the Ottolenghi Chicken Soup. Carrots and celery are sautéed in olive oil until they soften, giving the soup a slight sweetness and earthy flavor. These vegetables also provide fiber, helping to make the soup a more filling and balanced meal. The addition of garlic brings aromatic depth to the soup, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients. These vegetables not only contribute to the flavor but also provide color and visual appeal, making the soup more vibrant and appetizing. As they cook in the stock, they absorb the savory flavors, becoming tender and full of flavor.

The Creaminess of Yogurt

One of the key components of this soup’s unique flavor profile is the addition of Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds a rich, creamy texture that balances the savory, umami-rich base. It provides a slight tang, which contrasts with the richness of the chicken and Parmesan, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The yogurt also acts as a thickening agent when blended, adding body to the soup without the need for heavy cream or butter. Its creaminess brings an indulgent mouthfeel to the soup, making each spoonful feel comforting and satisfying. The yogurt also contributes protein, enhancing the nutritional value of the soup.

The Freshness of Lemon and Dill

While the base of the soup is rich and savory, the addition of lemon juice and dill provides a burst of freshness that cuts through the heaviness, making the soup feel light and well-rounded. Lemon juice adds acidity, brightening the flavors and preventing the soup from feeling too rich or heavy. The fresh dill adds a herby note that complements the chicken and vegetables, giving the soup an added layer of complexity. These ingredients provide a refreshing contrast to the umami-packed broth, adding balance and vibrancy to the soup.

Pasta: The Hearty Component

Another standout feature of this Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is the addition of orecchiette pasta. This small, ear-shaped pasta is perfect for soups because its shape allows it to hold onto the broth, soaking up the flavors and adding a chewy texture to the soup. As the pasta cooks in the soup, it absorbs the rich stock, becoming flavorful and tender. The pasta makes the soup more filling, turning it from a light broth into a hearty, satisfying meal. Orecchiette is the ideal pasta choice for this soup, but you can also use other small pasta shapes, such as ditalini or farfalle, depending on your preference.

Cooking the Chicken and Shredding the Meat

The process of cooking the chicken thighs with the bones and skin intact helps to release a great deal of flavor into the broth. As the chicken cooks, the fat from the skin and juices from the meat infuse the soup, creating a rich and tender broth. Once the chicken is cooked, it’s removed from the pot, and the meat is shredded. Shredding the chicken helps to distribute the meat throughout the soup, ensuring that every bite contains tender, flavorful chicken. The combination of the shredded chicken and the other ingredients results in a satisfying, comforting texture that is perfect for a cold weather meal.

The Importance of Straining the Stock

After cooking the chicken, it’s important to strain the stock to remove any bits of chicken, vegetables, and bones, leaving behind a smooth and clear broth. This step is crucial for achieving the clean, refined taste of the soup, ensuring that no unwanted pieces of vegetables or chicken interfere with the smooth texture of the soup. The strained stock becomes the base for the soup, providing a flavorful foundation for the vegetables, pasta, and chicken. Straining the stock also helps to concentrate the flavors, giving the soup its deep, savory taste.

A Make-Ahead Soup for Busy Days

One of the best things about this Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is that it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for several days. In fact, the soup often tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have had more time to meld together. The soup can be made in large batches, making it perfect for meal prepping or for serving a crowd. It’s an ideal make-ahead dish for busy days when you want a hearty meal ready to go. Simply reheat the soup and serve, and you’ll have a comforting, nutritious meal that requires little effort. The fact that the soup can be made in advance makes it a great option for those looking to save time without sacrificing flavor.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is a complete meal on its own, but it can also be paired with a variety of sides to create a more substantial meal. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would be a perfect complement, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup. For a heartier meal, serve the soup with crusty bread or a slice of toasted baguette, perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth. If you’re looking for a lighter side, roasted vegetables or a grain salad would pair beautifully with the soup’s comforting, savory flavors.

Conclusion

Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is a delicious and comforting dish that combines rich, umami-filled flavors with bright, fresh notes of lemon and dill. With its hearty combination of tender chicken, creamy yogurt, vegetables, and pasta, this soup is the perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a warming dinner on a cold night or a flavorful make-ahead dish for busy days, this soup delivers on both taste and convenience. The balance of flavors, from the savory Parmesan rind to the tangy yogurt and lemon, makes this soup unforgettable, and it will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection. With its rich depth of flavor and comforting texture, Ottolenghi Chicken Soup is the perfect choice for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Pin1

1 Shares