Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 (5-pound) roasting chickens
- 3 large yellow onions, quartered (unpeeled)
- 6 carrots, halved (unpeeled)
- 4 stalks celery with leaves, cut into thirds
- 4 parsnips, halved (unpeeled, optional)
- 20 sprigs fresh parsley
- 15 sprigs fresh thyme
- 20 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise (unpeeled)
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
- 4 cups 1/4-inch-diced carrots (for serving)
- 4 cups 1/4-inch-diced celery (for serving)
- 1/4 cup minced fresh dill (for serving)
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley (for serving)
Matzo Balls:
- 4 extra-large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup good chicken stock
- 1/4 cup rendered chicken fat, melted
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup matzo meal
Instructions
- Combine chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a large stockpot. Add water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 3-4 hours. Strain and discard solids. Chill overnight.
- Remove surface fat from chilled soup. Reheat and add diced carrots, celery, dill, and parsley.
- For matzo balls: Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Mix yolks, chicken stock, chicken fat, parsley, and salt. Fold in matzo meal, then egg whites. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, form into balls, and simmer in salted water for 30 minutes.
- Serve matzo balls in hot chicken soup.
Notes
- Soup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Matzo balls can be prepared in advance and refrigerated in their cooking liquid.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: simmering
- Cuisine: Jewish
- Diet: Kosher