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Chicken Soup With Drumsticks Recipe

This chicken soup with drumsticks recipe is easy to make and so easy to customize to include whatever you have on hand.

This is the perfect healthy recipe for those following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, a low-carb diet, or anyone who enjoys a delicious bowl of homemade soup.

This recipe uses chicken drumsticks to create a flavorful broth that the whole family will love.

Learn how to make your own homemade chicken broth and never use store-bought chicken stock or a bouillon cube again!

easy chicken soup with drumsticks recipe

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Are Drumsticks Good for Broth?

Drumsticks are great for broth! The cooking process is very similar to using any other kind of chicken meat.

Dark meat can create a more robust, deeper flavor than white meat which helps to create the perfect soup.

You could use other chicken pieces if that is what you have on hand.

Chicken wings, a whole chicken, bone-in chicken breast, or chicken thighs also make a delicious pot of soup but I prefer using drumsticks because they are cheaper and always easy to find at the grocery store.

I noticed that during the pandemic, when all of the packaged chicken breasts were missing from my local store’s shelves, the drumsticks were still available.

This inspired me to get creative with this chicken part and one of my favorite creations is this homemade chicken soup.

Healthy Chicken Soup with drumsticks Recipe

Should I Put Chicken Skin in Broth?

This is optional, the chicken skin will not change the flavor of the soup but it can change the texture.

The skin tends to be chewier than the chicken meat so if this is a texture that you don’t enjoy in your soup, leave it out because it will not impact the end result too much.

You will just have a little bit less chicken in the bottom of the pot but it will still have the same great flavor.

To increase the flavor of the chicken skin you can brown the sides over medium heat using olive oil to prevent sticking.

The flavor resembles a chicken bouillon cube when browned this way.

It isn’t necessary but if you want an extra bust of flavor you may want to give it a shot.

vegetables in pot on stove

Chicken Soup with Drumsticks Recipe Variations

Chicken Noodle Soup

For a cup of hot soup that rivals any canned versions of this classic recipe, add in cooked angel hair pasta or egg noodles.

Cook according to the package instructions and add in right before serving or you can cook the pasta al dente (about 3-4 min less than the directions call for) and allow it to finish cooking in the soup pot about a half hour before serving.

This will help the pasta absorb more of the flavors from the soup.

Chicken Veggie Soup

Get out the cutting board and chop your favorite veggies to add to this chicken soup with drumsticks.

Add broccoli florets, slice carrots, chopped onions, bell pepper, and green onion to the soup for an extra hearty and healthy chicken soup. Be sure to use a large pot to make room for extra ingredients.

Healthy Chicken Soup with drumsticks Recipe

Mexican Style Chicken Soup (Caldo De Pollo Recipe)

Add onion, celery stalks, large carrots, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeño, cumin, and coriander to create a Mexican chicken soup.

You can add hot sauce and minced garlic for an extra burst of flavor.

Cut up warm corn tortillas into strips and add to the pot before serving for a delicious Mexican soup.

You can serve this with lime wedges, fresh lemon juice, parmesan cheese, or sour cream.

Ingredients for a homemade recipe

What You’ll Need to Make this Chicken Soup with Drumsticks Recipe

To make this chicken soup recipe you will need 6-8 Chicken drumsticks, about 3 quarts water (about 12 cups water), salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh parsley, bay leaves, and Italian seasoning.

How to Make this Chicken Soup with Drumsticks Recipe

Rinse the chicken drumsticks under cold water, pat dry with a paper towel and then place them in a stock pot or dutch oven.

Add 3 Quarts of water or about 12 cups of water and the seasonings, set your stove to high heat, then bring to a boil.

Once the water has reached a boil, switch to medium-low heat and let simmer until meat begins to fall off the bone.

This may take about 3 – 4 hours, be patient because the slow cooking is a great way to get all of the flavors into this delicious food.

Once the meat starts to fall off the bone, remove the chicken from the pot being careful to not leave any bones behind.

Leave the broth on the stove and remove the bay leaf from the top of the soup.

Separate the bones from the meat then add the small pieces of meat back to the pot.

The longer the chicken cooks, the better the chance you will end up with shredded chicken instead of 1-2 inch pieces.

Both are great for a cold day and make a delicious bowl of soup that is great served fresh or as leftover soup.

If you are adding vegetables such as zucchini noodles, add them now and cook for another 30 minutes or until they are soft.

Store the leftover soup in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze it for up to one month.

If you are freezing the soup it is easier to freeze it in containers that are perfectly sized for the portions you will consume when reheating.

Take the frozen soup out to thaw in the refrigerator the night before serving and heat in a saucepan or in a large bowl in the microwave.

More Easy Recipes I Think You’ll Love

If you are looking for a good pressure cooker recipe, this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Salad makes a great lunch.

If you love slow cooker recipes as much as I do, you are sure to love this Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Stew Recipe.

Looking for a crock pot dump meal?

It doesn’t get any easier than this Keto Chicken & Rice Soup.

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chicken soup with drumsticks recipe

Chicken Soup With Drumsticks Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6-8 Chicken drumsticks
  • 3 quarts water (about 12 cups water
  • 2 Teaspoons of Salt
  • 1 & 1/2 Teaspoons of Black pepper
  • 2 Teaspoons of Garlic powder
  • 1 Teaspoon of Onion powder
  • 1 Teaspoon of Fresh parsley
  • 1-2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Teaspoon of Italian seasoning
  • Zucchini (Spiralized)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chicken drumsticks under cold water, pat dry with a paper towel and then place them in a stock pot or dutch oven.
  2. Add 3 Quarts of water or about 12 cups of water and the seasonings, set your stove to high heat, then bring to a boil.
  3. Once the water has reached a boil, switch to medium-low heat and let simmer until meat begins to fall off the bone.
  4. This may take about 3 – 4 hours.
  5. Once the meat starts to fall off the bone, remove the chicken from the pot being careful to not leave any bones behind.
  6. Leave the broth on the stove and remove the bay leaf from the top of the soup.
  7. Separate the bones from the meat then add the small pieces of meat back to the pot.
  8. If you are adding vegetables such as zucchini noodles, add them now and cook for another 30 minutes or until they are soft.
  9. Store the leftover soup in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze it for up to one month.

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About Thirty Something Super Mom

Melissa Dixon Thirty Something Super Mom
Thirty Something Super Mom | Website

My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.

Christine

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

Trying this recipe today and it is driving crazy as the house has been smelling delicious all day as the soup slow cooks. Have had a little pre-taste, granted the vegetables are still crunchy but so flavorful. Cannot wait to devour a bowl!

Melissa

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

Oooh I am jealous, I need to get some going! I hope it is as good as it smells!

Kelly M.

Thursday 30th of March 2017

This looks simple and delicious!

Crystal Green

Sunday 29th of March 2015

This does look like a good recipe. Thank you for sharing. I'm always on the hunt for simple easy recipes to cook for the family.

Marty

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

This looks simple yet delicous

Tricia W.

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

I made chicken and rice just the other day !!

Melissa

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Yummy!

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