FAQ
If you’re searching for the best matzo ball soup recipe, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, seeking comfort on a chilly day or simply craving a wholesome, flavorful meal, this recipe for chicken matzo ball soup is a must-try.
With tender chicken, vibrant vegetables and fluffy matzo balls, this dish strikes the perfect balance between tradition and convenience. Plus, it’s a surprisingly healthy take on this classic comfort food, making it an easy matzo ball soup recipe you’ll return to time and again.
Let’s explore what makes this soup special, how to prepare it and how you can customize it to suit your tastes.
A Comforting Classic Made Easy
This recipe ticks all the boxes for a satisfying matzo ball soup. It features tender, slow-cooked chicken that infuses the broth with rich flavor, hearty vegetables like carrots, celery and parsnips for a boost of nutrients, and perfectly fluffy matzo balls. Unlike some heavier recipes, this version uses wholesome ingredients to create a healthy matzo ball soup recipe without sacrificing flavor.
Each serving comes in at just 271 calories and includes a balance of protein and complex carbs, making it a nourishing choice for lunch or dinner. It’s also versatile enough to be enjoyed as a comforting starter or a satisfying main dish. If you’re on a Nutrisystem program, you can count each serving as half of a SmartCarb and two PowerFuels.
This soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. The chicken provides a lean source of protein to keep you feeling full, while the carrots, celery and parsnips offer vitamins, minerals and fiber. Matzo meal adds a hearty carb element, while the use of low-sodium bouillon keeps the sodium content in check.
Seasonal Appeal and Serving Suggestions
This soup is perfect for any season but feels especially comforting during fall and winter. The warm broth and hearty ingredients make it a go-to choice for chilly nights or when you’re feeling under the weather. Serve it with a crusty slice of whole grain bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
During Passover, Hannukah or other Jewish holidays, this recipe is a delightful way to celebrate tradition with family and friends. Its simple ingredients and nourishing qualities make it a beloved dish for gatherings and celebrations.
How to Make Matzo Ball Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe couldn’t be easier to prepare, whether you’re cooking on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Here’s a quick overview:
- Prepare the Soup Base: Start by combining fresh vegetables—carrots, celery and parsnips—with chicken, low-sodium chicken bouillon and seasonings. Add water to cover and cook until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.
- Craft Fluffy Matzo Balls: The key to perfect matzo balls lies in the mixture of matzo meal, seasonings, eggs, oil and a splash of club soda. After refrigerating the dough to firm it up, shape it into balls and boil them until they’re light and fluffy.
- Assemble and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skin and bones, shred the meat and return it to the pot. Add the cooked matzo balls to the soup, and you’re ready to serve!
Tips to Customize Your Matzo Ball Soup
One of the best things about this easy matzo ball soup recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ways to make it your own:
- Go Vegetarian: To make a vegetarian matzo ball soup, swap out the chicken for extra vegetables like zucchini, leeks or mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, turmeric, or fresh herbs like dill and parsley to elevate the flavor.
- Lighten It Up: For a lower-calorie version, use skinless chicken breasts instead of whole chicken pieces and reduce the oil in the matzo balls.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Make a gluten-free matzo ball soup with gluten-free matzo meal.
Why You’ll Love This Matzo Ball Soup
This recipe for matzo ball soup is everything you want in a classic dish—easy to make, nourishing and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, it’s a surefire way to bring warmth and comfort to your table. With simple steps and wholesome ingredients, it’s the best matzo ball soup recipe to add to your repertoire.
So grab your pot, roll up those sleeves and get ready to enjoy a bowl of homemade goodness. Your taste buds—and your family—will thank you!
Servings: 16
Calories per Serving: 271
On Nutrisystem, Count As: ½ SmartCarb and 2 PowerFuels
Ingredients:
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 parsnip, peeled and sliced
- 1 ½ tsp. low sodium chicken bouillon granules
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp. season all
- 3 lbs whole chicken pieces with skin
- Water
- 4 cups matzo meal
- ¼ salt
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ cup club soda (or 2 tsp baking powder)
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup canola oil
- Water
Directions:
- Soup
- Place all soup ingredients in a large pot or slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the contents.
- Stovetop Method: Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 90 minutes, until the meat falls off the bone. Skim off foam every so often. Slow Cooker Method: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Skim off foam.
- Remove chicken from pot and let it cool slightly. Chop meat into pieces. Discard skin and bones. Return to pot.
- Matzo Balls
- Combine the dry ingredients (matzo meal and seasonings) in a bowl and the wet ingredients (club soda, egg and canola oil) in a separate bowl.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat.
- Form the matzo ball mixture into 1-2" balls.
- When the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer and gently drop the matzo balls into the liquid.
- Cover the pot and cook for 40 minutes. The matzo balls should be floating on the surface of the water.
- Serve soup with matzo balls.
