Homemade Chicken Soup from Rotisserie Chicken

Name: Homemade Chicken Soup From Rotisserie Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 rotisserie chicken carcass; 10 cups water, filtered and cool; 2 carrots, roughly chopped (for broth); 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped (for broth); 1 onion, quartered (for broth); 1 head garlic, halved (for broth); 2 sprigs fresh rosemary; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 bay leaf; 1 tsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced (for soup); 2 stalks celery, diced (for soup); 2 carrots, diced (for soup); 1 onion, diced (for soup); salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 2 cups rotisserie chicken meat, shredded

This homemade chicken soup transforms a leftover rotisserie chicken carcass into a deeply flavorful broth by simmering it for hours with vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs. The result is a nourishing, from-scratch soup that maximizes every part of the bird.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken soup 🏷️Homemade soup 🏷️Rotisserie chicken 🏷️Comfort food Soup

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🏷️Chicken broth

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Total

1h 30m

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

View original recipe

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Ingredients

1 rotisserie chicken carcass
10 cups water, filtered and cool
2 carrots, roughly chopped (for broth)
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped (for broth)
1 onion, quartered (for broth)
1 head garlic, halved (for broth)
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (for soup)
2 stalks celery, diced (for soup)
2 carrots, diced (for soup)
1 onion, diced (for soup)
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
2 cups rotisserie chicken meat, shredded

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Instructions

1
Separate the meat from a rotisserie chicken and set it aside. Place the remaining carcass and bones into a large pot or Dutch oven.
2
To the pot, add roughly chopped carrots, celery, a quartered onion, a halved head of garlic, and a bundle of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, bay leaf).
3
Fill the pot with cool, filtered water, just enough to cover all the ingredients.
4
Bring the pot to a low simmer over medium-low heat.
5
Once simmering, add a splash (about 1 tsp) of apple cider vinegar to help extract flavor from the bones.
6
Let the broth simmer for at least one hour. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be.
7
Carefully strain the broth through a colander into a large bowl. Discard the solids.
8
To make the soup, heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic, diced celery, diced carrots, and diced onion.
9
Season the vegetables with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté until they soften slightly.
10
Pour the homemade chicken broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables.
11
Once the vegetables are cooked through, stir in the reserved shredded rotisserie chicken meat.
12
Heat everything through and serve warm.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove solids and achieve clarity.
Refrigerate strained broth overnight; fat will solidify on top and can be easily removed for a cleaner, lighter soup.
Taste broth before adding salt—rotisserie chicken and extended simmering develop deep flavor naturally.
Reserve any shredded chicken meat from the carcass (or the original bird) and add it to the finished soup just before serving to prevent overcooking.

Substitutions

Fresh rosemary and thyme → dried herbs (use half the amount; add in the last 30 minutes of simmering)
Apple cider vinegar → lemon juice or white wine vinegar (1 tsp, same function)
Filtered water → chicken stock or vegetable broth (reduces simmering time to 1–2 hours)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled broth in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming.

Common Questions

How long should I simmer the chicken carcass for broth?

Simmer for at least 2–4 hours to extract maximum flavor and nutrients from the bones. Longer simmering (6–8 hours) yields even richer broth.

Can I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes. After shredding the meat for serving, save the carcass, skin, and any remaining bits for the broth base.

What does apple cider vinegar do in the broth?

The acidity helps leach minerals and collagen from the bones, enriching the broth's body and nutritional content.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Make the broth up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze for up to 3 months. Add vegetables and shredded chicken just before serving or reheating.

What vegetables should I add to the finished soup?

The recipe calls for carrots and celery chopped for the broth. You can add diced carrots, celery, and onion to the finished broth for texture, plus herbs like parsley or thyme.