Experience a taste of home with this Split Pea Soup recipe, a warm delight that combines hearty chicken chunks and tender green split peas for a comforting bowl of goodness.
Green Split Pea Soup Recipe
Celebrate the seasons with a bowl of Split Pea Soup, the go-to comfort food for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. It combines green split peas with a mirepoix of vegetables, enhanced by the rich flavors of chicken and a blend of simple yet aromatic herbs. This soup is easy to make and brings warmth to any table, making it a family favorite for those cold days or when you have chicken needing to be repurposed. Whether for a weekday meal or after-holiday gatherings, this soup will not disappoint.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (about 2 cups) dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 to 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 to 8 cups chicken broth or a mix of water and broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until they start to soften, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the rinsed and sorted split peas, dried thyme, bay leaf, and some salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken bone in the center of the pot (if using). Pour in the chicken broth or a mix of water and chicken broth until everything is well covered.
- You can adjust the amount of liquid depending on how thick you like your soup.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender, stirring occasionally.
- If you’re using diced chicken instead of a bone, you can add it in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Once the split peas are fully cooked and tender, remove the chicken bone (if used). - If there’s any meat left on the bone, shred it and add it back to the pot. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. If the soup is too thick for your taste, you can thin it with a little hot water or broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken Fried Chicken with sides like
- Crusty Bread
- Green Salad
- Garlic Croutons
- Sandwich
- Roasted Vegetables
Tips and Tricks
- If you have a leftover chicken bone from a holiday meal, it’s perfect for adding rich flavor to your split pea soup.
- If you don’t have a chicken bone, you can use chicken hocks or simply add diced chicken for flavor.
- You can use either green or yellow split peas. Ensure you are using dried split peas, as they are different from fresh green peas.
- If the soup is thicker than you would like, you can add more broth or water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Remember to remove the bay leaf before serving, as it’s not pleasant to eat but imparts great flavor during cooking.
These tips will help you make a delicious pot of split pea soup that’s perfect for cozy, comforting meals. Enjoy your cooking!
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