Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme
A gentle, nourishing broth featuring tender chicken, sweet carrots, and aromatic thyme, simmered to perfection for a comforting bowl of healing. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs chicken thighs, carrots, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, leaves only fresh thyme
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and brown on both sides for 5-7 minutes until golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return chicken to pot, add sliced carrots, celery, fresh thyme, bay leaf, and 8 cups chicken stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Remove chicken, cool slightly, shred meat (discard skin and bones), and return to pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Simmered Chicken and Carrot Broth with Thyme?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This broth was the perfect comfort food for my cold winter evening. My kids loved it too!
- ★★★★★
So fragrant and soothing. The slow simmer made the flavors come together beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Excellent recipe. The thyme really elevated the chicken and carrots. Made it for my family and they were impressed.
