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I can vividly remember sitting in my Nana’s dining room and anxiously awaiting the first course of most holiday meals. It was a bowl of homemade matzo ball soup and it always tasted like home to me.
A couple of years ago, since I was a pescatarian, I shared my vegetarian matzo ball recipe. I realized recently, when our cousin asked me for my chicken soup recipe, that I had never shared the chicken soup version on here… until now!
While this recipe isn’t exactly like my Nana’s recipe, I would say that this one is a close 2nd. It’s the soup that I make when any one of us is feeling under the weather or when we have a special holiday to celebrate. This year, I’ll be making my matzo ball soup for Passover.
When you think of homemade chicken soup, you may think that it’s a long process that takes too long and is difficult to make. In fact, it’s actually fairly easy. Most of the time is spent on the stove, and it’s something you can put together in the morning and get the rest of your daily tasks done.
Homemade chicken soup is made in two steps. First, you make the broth with fresh chicken, vegetables and spices. Next, you add the soup ingredients. I promise that once you make it, you’ll never go back to canned soups again.
The easiest way I’ve found, when it comes to the chicken, is to check your local grocery store for whole, cut up chicken. If they don’t have it readily available, you can usually ask your butcher to cut it into pieces for you (breast, thigh, drumstick, wings). I usually disgard the extra parts, but you can absolutely add those to the pot for extra flavor if you’d like.
The vegetables are up to you. I choose to use the same ones that my Nana used, including parsnip. If you’ve never tried parsnip, the best way I can describe it is a white, sweeter version of a carrot.
The veggies that you use to make the matzo ball soup broth are going to soak in the flavor for a full four hours. That’s actually my favorite part. While I wait for the soup to cool in the refrigerator, I eat those veggies. They are soft and so delicious!
You’ll want to use fresh dill instead of dried. It will make all the difference. I tend to use an entire package between the broth and the finished soup.
For the matzo balls, you can just buy the matzo ball mix. That’s honestly the easiest way to make them. Just follow the instructions on the box.
If you are just looking for a homemade chicken soup recipe, just skip the matzo balls and follow the rest of the instructions! You can even add some little noodles if you’d like. My Nana loved adding noodles to hers!
Now that you know a little bit about this matzo ball soup, I’m excited to share our recipe.
Matzo Ball Soup

Matzo Ball Soup
Description
A classic family favorite, packed with veggies, chicken, and lots of fresh dill. Perfect for the holidays or when you need some comfort food.
Ingredients
Broth
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 large onion, whole and peeled
- 2 stalks of celery with leaves
- 2 carrots, peeled
- 1 large parsnip, peeled
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 5 black peppercorns
- 6 cubes chicken bouillon
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp celery seed
- 1 pinch dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
Soup
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced parsnip
- chopped chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Matzo Balls
- Matzo meal / matzo ball mix
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large pot combine chicken broth, whole chicken, onion, celery with leaves, fresh parsley, fresh dill, parsnip, peppercorns, bouillon, bay leaf, celery seed, thyme, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 4 hours.
- Strain stock and set aside whole veggies (we love to eat those while we wait for the soup).
- Remove chicken and chop the breast into bite-sized pieces. Be careful, it’s hot!
- Place soup in a refrigerator-safe container for a few hours. When you remove it, skim the fat off of the top and return the broth to your pan.
- Stir in chopped chicken, sliced veggies, and spices.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix eggs, vegetable oil, and matzo meal. Stir with a fork until evenly mixed.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add salt (optional).
- Remove chilled mixture from the refrigerator.
- Wet hands and form batter into balls, approx. 1-2 inches in diameter (depending on how big you like them).
- Drop matzo balls into boiling water.
- Cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Drain and add matzo balls to each bowl and fill it with soup.
- Top with fresh dill.
If you make my matzo ball soup, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you post it on social media, we’d love for you to tag @thesupermomlife! Don’t forget to check out all of our family-friendly recipes!
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Emman Damian
March 31, 2021I would really like to try matzo ball soup. It sounds so yummy! It’s so easy to do too! Thanks for the recipe. Kids will love it!
★★★★★
Anosa Malanga
March 26, 2021This matzo soup is new to me and good thing I have something to try again! Surely my sister would be surprised if I serve her another new food to try out.
Farrah Less
March 25, 2021I am drooling by just looking at your photos. I love soup esp. on this cold weather.
★★★★★
Mahnoor Khurram
March 25, 2021It looks so healthy and good!
★★★★★
Maggie
March 25, 2021Yum! This looks very delicious! I would love to make this for my family soon.
★★★★★
Ntensibe Edgar
March 25, 2021I think this soup is bomb! I have never seen it before but I am certain , it is great!
Anosa
March 25, 2021It’s been a while since I last made chicken soup at home, love this matzo ball soup it looks delicious
★★★★★
Lily
March 25, 2021I’ve never had this soup before. It looks really refreshing and healthy.
Lyanna Soria
March 25, 2021That matzo ball soup is looking quite delicious and would love to try making this someday, it’s a perfect dish to make especially during cold weather.
★★★★★
Kita Bryant
March 24, 2021I have always wanted to try this. Your recipe looks so delicious!
Erin
March 24, 2021Your Mazo soup looks so healthy and delicious!
Kisha
March 24, 2021This looks so good and so comforting on a cool day. I love the chicken and veggies the recipe uses. I have to try this soon.
Melissa Cushing
March 24, 2021This looks absolutely amazing! I so want to dive into this little delicious bowl of goodness…. I for sure am pinning this recipe to make for my family. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Yeah Lifestyle
March 24, 2021Loving your two step matso ball soup, something I do want to give a go especially since I not made this before and it looks delicious
★★★★★
Bella
March 24, 2021Oh my gosh yum!!! I have been making soup non stop!! totally need to try this recipe
Claudia Blanton
March 24, 2021I never had Matzo Ball Soup before, and I do think that based on the ingredients you mentioned, that I would enjoy that soup very much! I will give it a try – blessings!
Tisha
March 24, 2021This sounds great! I could eat soup any time of year!
★★★★★
Wayneish Brown
March 24, 2021A couple of years ago a friend introduced me to this and it was delicious. I haven’t tried it since but now I’m glad I found the recipe. I will definitely be giving this a try.
Yudith
March 24, 2021Looks yummy and good for cold season.. I would love to try this recipe.
Mimi
March 24, 2021Such a great recipe, I’ve never tried anything similar, so I need to give it a go
Wren
March 24, 2021I have never had this kind of soup before. It looks absolutely delicious and I want to try it!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
March 24, 2021This sounds like a delicious soup. I haven’t tried matzo balls before. It sounds great!
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh
March 24, 2021Never heard of a Matzo ball soup before but I would love to try it. It looks really yummy from the pictures I have seen.
Ryan Escat
March 24, 2021I hope I can find this Matzo balls in our local supermarket. I can’t wait to try it.
★★★★★
Stella
March 24, 2021This was a well-explained recipe esp for someone who can’t make anything that has more than three ingredients! It looks (and sounds) like a delicious meal in the winter months.
Gervin Khan
March 24, 2021Such an easy and delicious soup to make for my family for tonight’s dinner. Yum!
★★★★★
Proseccobefore7
March 24, 2021This recipe looks fantastic. I’ve never had anything like that before but I am willing to try it. My family loves having soup so this will be our next dinner. Thanks for sharing.
Monica Simpson
March 24, 2021This soup looks so delicious and comforting!
Kathy
March 23, 2021This soup looks amazing. I’ve never had it before. I’ll have to give it a try real soon.
Nikki Wayne
March 23, 2021I use to cook meatball soup, it’s so delicious. I guess matzo balls would be great too.
★★★★★
Marysa
March 23, 2021My daughter loves making matzo ball soup with store bought mix. I would love to give this a try with her.
Kuntala
March 23, 2021I’ll have to give this a try. I love dumpling soup, but I’ve never had matzo ball soup before. It’s definitely something that I would love.
★★★★★
Tasheena
March 23, 2021I’ve never had matzo ball soup before. I would love to try this recipe.
★★★★★
Cinny
March 23, 2021That sounds pretty yummy. I’ll have to test it out one of these days.
Tara Pittman
March 23, 2021The matzo balls are the best part of this soup. I will be making this soup soon.
Ben
March 23, 2021You know, I’ve heard of matzo ball soup, but I really didn’t know what it was. I’m glad I found this because now I know I need to have it!
★★★★★
Jill
March 23, 2021Nothing makes me happier than a bowl of matzo ball soup. It’s so simple and rustic. I’ll be making this recipe for sure.
★★★★★
Brianne
March 23, 2021That looks absolutely amazing! I love matzo ball soup, and I’m always on the lookout for a new recipe. Om nom nom.
★★★★★
melissa chapman
March 23, 2021I love matzo balls and it is a real art to make the right consistency, firm but not too bouncy. I can not wait for my Seders this year for the soup.
★★★★★
Amber Myers
March 23, 2021This looks like my kind of soup. I have heard of matzo ball soup, but I’ve never tried it before. I really should!
★★★★★