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A close-up of No Water Chicken Soup with a spoonful of clear brown broth held above it, showing pieces of chicken, chopped carrots, and fresh herbs on top—perfect for a rich, waterless chicken soup recipe.
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5 from 2 reviews

Viral No Water Chicken Soup

This no water chicken soup 🥘 lets the vegetables do all the work — slow-cooked cabbage, onions, carrots, and a surprise apple create the richest, most naturally delicious broth.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: chicken soup, easy soup recipe, viral recipe
Servings: 3 servings
Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

  • napa cabbage 3/4 of it
  • 2 yellow onions sliced
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic peeled and whole
  • 1 apple sliced
  • 1 whole chicken
  • salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the roughly chopped Napa cabbage (¾ of the head), sliced onions, roughly chopped carrots, apple, and garlic cloves to the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot.
    A stainless steel pot on a wooden surface contains chopped vegetables, including carrots, onions, napa cabbage, and apple slices—perfect ingredients for a flavorful no water chicken soup recipe, ready to be cooked.
  • Nestle the whole chicken on top of the veggies and apple. Season generously with salt and pepper.
    A whole raw chicken sits atop carrots, onions, and potatoes in a large stainless steel pot—perfect for preparing a flavorful no water chicken soup recipe on a rustic wooden surface.
    • Optional but recommended: Add at least 2 cups of water, and keep an eye on the bottom of the pot - it may start to burn if the veggies don't release enough liquid.
  • Place the lid on and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is completely tender and falling off the bone.
    A whole raw chicken seasoned with pepper sits in a pot over chopped vegetables, covered with a glass lid, on a stovetop—perfect for making No Water Chicken Soup, a waterless chicken soup recipe that captures pure flavor.
    • Note: Keep the heat low and the lid on. If you lift the lid partway through and it looks dry, add a splash more water.
  • Once the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are soft and jammy, carefully remove the chicken. Shred the meat off the bone and return it to the pot. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with a side of rice and enjoy.
    A close-up of No Water Chicken Soup with a spoonful of clear brown broth held above it, showing pieces of chicken, chopped carrots, and fresh herbs on top—perfect for a rich, waterless chicken soup recipe.

Video

Notes

  • Water tip: Add at least 2 cups to the bottom — even with this no-water method. It's just the safer move and I sleep better at night knowing you did 😅. Keep an eye on the bottom of the pot, because it may start to burn if the veggies don't release enough liquid.
  • Low and slow: This is not a recipe to rush. Low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours is what gives you that deeply flavorful, jammy broth. 
  • Serving: Rice is my go-to but egg noodles or a big hunk of crusty bread are both excellent decisions for soaking up all that broth 🍜.
  • Storage: Cool completely, store airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl | Calories: 679kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 1516mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 8138IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 302mg | Iron: 4mg
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