The best soups result from the serendipity of scanning the kitchen and seeing what needs to be used up, right?
I was going to make a simple chicken leek soup, but a fennel bulb impulsively bought at the farmer’s market and a sprouting red onion whispered my name from the veggie drawer, and the frugal cook in me knew that my leek soup was going to have to include them.
It’s smart to listen to your inner frugal cook. She will guide you well. This soup was so, so, SO, SO good!
Recipe: Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel
Summary: A simple, classic chicken soup enhanced with caramelized, elegant leeks and fennel hits the spot for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (6-ounce) package Melissa’s Cleaned and Sliced Leeks
- 1 fennel bulb, feathery leaves and root removed and bulb sliced thinly
- 1 red onion, sliced thinly
- 4 celery ribs, sliced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 4 red potatoes, skin left on, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 quarts water
- 3 tablespoons Organic Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
- ½-1 cup fresh chopped parsley
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add leeks, fennel and onion and saute for 10-12 or so minutes, until vegetables begin to brown and caramelize.
- Add celery, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, water and chicken base, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low, cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Add chicken, stir, cover pot and simmer for another 20 minutes.
- Stir in parsley and a few grinds of pepper, and serve, along with hot sauce for those who like to zip things up.
- Serves 6.
Source
Inspired by my friend Lindsay Albert, whose Chicken, Leek and Potato Soup was beloved when she made big pots of it for our elementary school.
Leeks
Melissa’s Cleaned and Sliced Leeks, available in a 6-ounce package, are the best thing since sliced bread! Whole leeks are a chore to clean, dry and chop, since they are often sandy between all those layers of leek. With this package, which contains the equivalent of about 2 leeks, all the hard work has been done, and you simply open and toss them in the pot. They’re new in Southern California as of last month, and can be found here at Vons, Bristol Farms, Jon’s Markets, Mother’s Market, Gelson’s, etc. Melissa’s Leeks will be distributed nationally in the coming months. Suggested retail is $3.49-$3.99.
Better Than Bouillon
Better Than Bouillon is my new not-so-secret ingredient for soups. When I want to get the soup in the pot quickly, I use the organic line of Better Than Bouillon — concentrated stock made with real vegetables and natural ingredients. They’re USDA certified organic, and have 95% certified organic ingredients by Quality Assurance International, are fat free, and non-irradiated. Organic Better Than Bouillon comes in beef, chicken, mushroom, turkey and vegetable flavors, and at a price of about $7.95 per jar, it’s a good value since each jar makes about 9 ½ quarts (84 cents a quart, a price I can’t match with any stock in a can or carton). To me, the flavors are clean and pure. I recommend it! Get your soup on!
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 55-60 minutes total
Number of servings (yield): 4-5
Culinary tradition: USA (General)
My rating
Melissa’s Produce send a sample of the leeks, and Better Than Bouillon sent a sample of the chicken base for recipe testing.
Today our #SundaySupper cooks are offering some of the most amazing soups ever ladled into a bowl. There are so many, you’ll no doubt find a new favorite or two!
Do The Chicken Dance (Chicken {or other poultry} Soups)
- Chicken Tortellini & White Bean Soup at Flour On My Face
- Chicken Gnocchi at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Chicken Cheese Soup by There and Back Again
- Chicken Tortellini Soup by Country Girl In The Village
- Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shoc
kingly Delicious
- Family Style Tablescape featuring Chicken Tortilla Soup by An Appealing Plan
- Yucatan Chicken Lime Soup (Sopa de Lima) by The Weekend Gourmet
- Chicken Meatball, Spinach and Orzo Soup from Gourmet Drizzles
- Ground Turkey and Vegetable Soup at The Messy Baker
- Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Sausage Chowder by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Chick-Fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup by Family Foodie
- Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup at Cupcakes and Pearls
- Healthy Bean and Sausage Soup by Momma’s Meals
Where’s The Beef (Beef Soups)
- Chili with Black Beans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Vegetable and Beef Soup by Supper For a Steal
- Swabian Beef Spaetzle +1 Soup (Gaisburger Marsch) at Galactosemia in PDX
- Bacon Cheeseburger Soup by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Beef Pho Soup by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Frijol con Carne by MarocMama
- Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef and Noodle Soup) by Neighborfood
Pass The Pork, Please (Pork or Sausage Soups
- Smoked Sausage and Wild Rice Soup at Mama, Mommy, Mom
- Louisiana Caldo by Catholic Foodie
- Sweet potato and Spanish chorizo soup at My Cute Bride
- Soft Tofu Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) by Hip Foodie Mom
Under The Sea (Seafood Soups)
- Shrimp Miso Noodle Soup at Pescetarian Journal
- Szechuan Fish Soup by The Urban Mrs.
- New England Clam Chowder at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Hearty Okra Shrimp Gumbo Laced with Coconut Oil by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Bacon and Shrimp Bisque at Big Bear’s Wife
- Lobster Bisque by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Chinese Fish Maw Soup by My Trials in The Kitchen
- Thai Curry Coconut Mussel Soup by Noshing With The Nolands
Eat Your Veggies (Meatless Soups)
- Not-So-Mini-Strone at The Foodie Army Wife
- French Onion Soup by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Spicy Sweet Potato and Corn Soup at Magnolia Days
- Creamy Cheddar Potato Soup at Daily Dish Recipes
- Rather French Onion Soup by What Smells So Good?
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Cream of Ancho Chile Soup from La Cocina de Leslie
- Pasta e Fagoli Soup at Cravings of a Lunatic
- Miso Soup by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Vegetable Consommé with Semolina Dumplings – Grießknödel at Masala Herb
- Vegetable Medley Soup with Broccoli and Leeks at Chattering Kitchen
- Smoky Kale and Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Coconut Corn Chowder at Mangoes and Chutney
- Make Your Own (Gluten Free) Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup at The Meltaways
- Ital Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup at The Lovely Pantry
- Chunky Vegetable and Barley Soup at Curious Cuisiniere
- Corn Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips at Ninja Baking
- Jalapeno Beer Cheese Soup by The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
- Wild Mushroom Soup at Food Lust People Love
- Creamy Carrot Soup at Cookistry
- Vermicelli Soup by Damn Delicious
- Country Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Potatoes at girlichef
Some Don’t Like It Hot (Chilled Soups)
- Chilled Strawberry Soup at Juanita’s Cocina
- Bread and Tomato Soup – Gazpacho Style at Vintage Kitchen Notes
Don’t miss our #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. This week we will be sharing out special soup recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 4 p.m. PT and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.
And don’t forget to check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Join us around the family table this Sunday at 4 p.m. Pacific Time and share your favorite soup, stew, chowder or bisque recipes with us!
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
This is a fabulous, hearty soup! A great change from your usual chicken noodle!
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
I used the Chicken Soup base for the first time this week as well. I will be using it much more.
Krayl,
I just loved it. Such a pure, clean chicken-y flavor! A keeper.
I used the Chicken Soup base for the first time this week as well. I will be using it much more. I totally agree.
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
I love that you didn’t peel the potatoes!! The soup looks great, I’ve just have luch but you made me hungry again!
MLuisa,
I rarely peel potatoes for any dish! How about you?
Dorothy, this soup looks absolutely wonderful. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Pinned!
It looks so hearty, and comforting! Perfect soup weather here today!
I love a little shot of hot sauce in my soups also! Great recipe thanks for sharing!
Arlene,
My husband puts hot sauce on EVERYTHING!
I love colorful soup…I want to taste it with my eyes too! YUM!
Jen,
Agreed! Color is everything!
This looks incredible! I adore leeks and fennel, and actually have never seen the presliced leeks. Thanks for the tip, and the recipe! 😉
Diana,
The washed and sliced leeks are brand new! Look for them…they made this soup a breeze to prep.
I am so loving the flavors in your soup! I just made fennel and onion pork this week, but now I want to try it your soup!!
Yum! This soup looks amazing. I love the leeks and potatoes and I bet the fennel added a great flavor. Thanks for sharing.
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
[…] Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious […]
I’ve never seen already sliced leeks. Sometimes shortcuts are necessary, will have to look out for them.
Lane,
The washed and sliced leeks are brand new, and boy did they make this easy. I am hooked!
I tend to do the same thing too, Dorothy, and the soup transforms as I browse through the vegetable drawer. You were absolutely right to trust your inner frugal cook! I’m sure the fennel and the onion added beautiful flavors to an already lovely soup.
Stacy,
Browsing the veggie drawer and pantry is one of the pleasures of a well stocked kitchen, isn’t it?