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Bowl of chicken drumstick soup with shredded chicken and broth.

Chicken Drumstick Soup Recipe: Step-by-Step

Bitty
An easy homemade method for making chicken drumstick soup recipe.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • Large stockpot or Dutch oven
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife: 

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 – 2 lbs chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin-on for maximum flavor – trust me!
  • 8 cups chicken broth low-sodium, preferably homemade, but good quality store-bought works too
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Add salt and black pepper to make the food taste good according to your preference.
  • Optional: 1 cup chopped vegetables of your choice potatoes, parsnips, zucchini, etc.
  • Optional: 1/2 cup uncooked noodles or rice add in the last 20 minutes of cooking
  • Fresh Parsley to garnish

Instructions
 

  • Sear the Drumsticks (Optional but Recommended):
  • In a pot, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken drumsticks and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. This step enhances flavor but can be skipped for a quicker meal. I recommend browning for better taste!
  • Sauté the Vegetables:
  • Take out the drumsticks and put them to the side. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery into the pot. Cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are soft. Then, add the garlic and cook for one more minute until you can smell it.
    Chopped red onions and diced garlic on a cutting board.
  • Add the Broth and Drumsticks:
  • Add the chicken broth to the pot and then return the seared drumsticks to it. Add the bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary. Add salt and pepper to the food. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of pepper!
  • Simmer:
  • Get the soup to a boil, then decrease the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for even more flavor. The longer it simmers, the richer the broth will be. I usually let mine simmer for at least 90 minutes.
  • Add Noodles/Rice (Optional):
  • If using noodles or rice, add them during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
  • Remove and Shred the Chicken:
  • Once the chicken is cooked, remove the drumsticks and let them cool. Shred the meat from the bones with 02 forks, discarding the bones and skin (or save the bones for broth).
    Cooked chicken drumsticks soup and a bowl of broth
  • Return Chicken to Pot:
  • Put the shredded chicken back into the pot. Mix everything together well.
  • Serve:
  • Scoop the soup into bowls and add fresh parsley on top if you want. Serve it hot with some crusty bread or crackers.
Keyword chicken drumstick soup