Potato and Mushroom Gratin with Gorgonzola
This chicken and pearl couscous soup is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy evenings or meal prep, this soup delivers wholesome flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- Water enough to cover chicken
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
- 4 celery stalks with leaves trimmed and diced
- Your favorite seasoning salt garlic pepper, lemon pepper, or herbes de Provence
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- ⅓ cup fresh dill roughly chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 lemon juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dukkah oyster crackers, or saltines, for serving
- Extra virgin olive oil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Stock:
- Place chicken thighs in a large pot (about 3.5 quarts). Season generously with salt and add parsley sprigs on top.
- Pour in enough water to fully cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours.
- Strain and Shred the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from the pot and transfer to a bowl.
- Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean bowl, discarding the parsley. Wipe out the pot for reuse.
- Remove the chicken skin and discard. Shred the meat off the bones into bite-sized pieces. Add shredded chicken back into the strained broth.
- Start the Soup:
- Heat olive oil in the cleaned pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion and celery for about 5 minutes, until softened.
- Season with seasoning salt of choice, adjusting to taste.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Stir in the pearl couscous and cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast.
- Pour in the prepared chicken stock with shredded chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the couscous is tender. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Finish the Soup:
- Stir in the fresh dill and lemon juice. Let simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Serve:
- Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with extra dill, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and dukkah or crackers for crunch.
- Serve warm and enjoy the comforting flavors!