This in-depth guide provides everything you need to know about canning chicken soup, ensuring a safe and delicious result. We'll cover recipe variations, safe canning practices, and tips for long-term storage. Learning to can chicken soup is a rewarding skill, offering a hearty, homemade meal ready in minutes, anytime.
Why Can Chicken Soup?
Canning chicken soup offers several advantages:
- Cost Savings: Making your own soup is often cheaper than buying pre-made or using canned varieties.
- Ingredient Control: You control the quality and quantity of ingredients, avoiding preservatives and unwanted additives.
- Extended Shelf Life: Properly canned soup can last for a year or more, providing a convenient pantry staple.
- Homemade Flavor: Nothing beats the taste of a homemade soup, carefully crafted with your favorite ingredients.
- Emergency Preparedness: Canned soup provides a nutritious and long-lasting food source for emergencies.
Choosing Your Chicken Soup Recipe
The beauty of canning chicken soup lies in its adaptability. You can create variations based on your preferences and available ingredients. Here are a few variations:
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup: This is a timeless favorite, featuring tender chicken, noodles, carrots, celery, and onions in a flavorful broth.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: Elevate your soup with the addition of wild rice for a heartier and more complex flavor profile.
Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup: This creamy version incorporates vegetables like potatoes, corn, and peas, creating a comforting and luxurious bowl of soup.
Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup: Add a kick with chili powder, cumin, and other spices, along with tortilla strips for added texture and flavor.
Important Note: When adapting recipes, ensure the final product meets the required acidity levels for safe canning. Low-acid foods like chicken soup require pressure canning to destroy harmful bacteria.
Essential Equipment for Canning Chicken Soup
Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment:
- Pressure Canner: A crucial piece of equipment for safely canning low-acid foods.
- Jars and Lids: Use appropriately sized jars with new lids and bands. Wide-mouth jars are convenient.
- Jar Lifter: This tool protects your hands from burns when handling hot jars.
- Funnel: A wide-mouth funnel makes filling jars easier and less messy.
- Headspace Tool: Ensures consistent headspace, crucial for safe processing.
- Bubble Remover: Removes air bubbles from the jars, preventing spoilage.
- Canning Rack: Allows even heat distribution during processing.
Step-by-Step Canning Chicken Soup Recipe (Classic Chicken Noodle)
This recipe yields approximately 7 pints of canned chicken soup. Adjust quantities as needed.
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 12 cups water
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup egg noodles (or other desired pasta)
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- Prepare Chicken Broth: Place chicken and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until chicken is easily shredded. Remove chicken from broth; shred and set aside. Strain broth to remove any impurities.
- Add Vegetables: Return strained broth to pot. Add carrots, celery, and onion; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Season and Add Noodles: Stir in salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon (if using). Add noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Stir in Chicken: Add shredded chicken to the soup. Heat through.
- Prepare Jars: Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and sterilize according to manufacturer's instructions (usually boiling for 10 minutes).
- Fill Jars: Using a funnel and bubble remover, carefully fill jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Wipe rims clean. Place lids and bands on jars.
- Pressure Can: Process jars in a pressure canner according to the manufacturer's instructions for pints of chicken soup (usually 75 minutes at 11 pounds of pressure).
- Cool and Check: Allow jars to cool completely undisturbed. Check seals by pressing the center of each lid; it should not flex. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Safety First: Important Canning Tips
- Follow Recipes Carefully: Use tested recipes designed for canning.
- Use a Pressure Canner: Low-acid foods require pressure canning to destroy Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause botulism, a deadly illness.
- Proper Headspace: Maintain the correct headspace to prevent jars from breaking during processing.
- Process Correctly: Follow the recommended processing time and pressure for your altitude.
- Check Seals: Ensure all jars are properly sealed after processing.
- Store Properly: Store canned goods in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Homemade Canned Chicken Soup
Canning chicken soup is a valuable skill providing delicious, homemade meals year-round. By following these instructions and prioritizing safety, you'll enjoy the rewards of this rewarding culinary endeavor for years to come. Remember, always prioritize safety and consult reliable canning resources for detailed information and guidance. Happy canning!