Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

This Chicken Matzo Ball Soup is the ultimate comfort food, combining a deeply flavored homemade broth, tender shredded chicken, and fluffy, delicate matzo balls. It’s a warm, healing dish that’s perfect for cold weather or whenever you’re in need of something soothing and soul-nourishing. The richness of the broth, paired with the airy texture of the matzo balls, creates a balance of heartiness and lightness that feels like a warm hug in every spoonful. Whether you’re making it for your family, a gathering, or just a cozy night in, this soup brings generations of tradition to your table with every bite.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Soup:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)

• 10 cups water

• 2 medium carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 1 onion, quartered

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Matzo Balls:

• 1 cup matzo meal

• 4 large eggs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or chicken fat (schmaltz)

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• Fresh dill, chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Place the whole chicken in a large pot with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Skim any foam for a clear broth.

2. Add diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 1.5 hours until chicken is tender.

3. Remove chicken and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve. Return broth to the pot.

4. In a bowl, mix matzo meal, eggs, oil or schmaltz, and a pinch of salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Once chicken is cool, shred into bite-sized pieces and discard skin and bones.

6. Bring strained broth to a gentle boil. Wet hands and form chilled matzo mixture into golf-ball sized rounds. Drop into the broth.

7. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook matzo balls for 20-25 minutes until fluffy.

8. Add shredded chicken and reserved carrots back to the broth. Garnish with parsley and dill. Serve hot and enjoy!

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 90 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours
Kcal: ~320 kcal per serving | Servings: 6

The Soul-Warming Comfort of Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

There’s something magical about a bowl of homemade soup—it nurtures the body and soul in ways few other meals can. And when it comes to timeless comfort, Chicken Matzo Ball Soup holds a special place in kitchens around the world. This iconic dish, with roots in Jewish culinary tradition, has evolved into a global favorite, celebrated for its soothing qualities, nourishing ingredients, and nostalgic warmth.

Whether you’re nursing a cold, preparing a meal for loved ones, or simply craving something cozy, this soup checks all the boxes. It’s hearty yet light, packed with nutrients, and incredibly satisfying—just like a warm hug in a bowl.

A Rich Culinary Heritage

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup is often referred to as “Jewish Penicillin”, a nickname that reflects both its healing properties and its deep cultural significance. Traditionally served during Passover and other Jewish holidays, the soup carries layers of meaning and generations of flavor.

Matzo balls, also called kneidlach, are dumplings made from matzo meal, eggs, and fat (like schmaltz—rendered chicken fat). The balls are simmered in a savory chicken broth alongside vegetables and shredded chicken, transforming a humble set of ingredients into something deeply flavorful and nurturing.

What sets this soup apart from other chicken soups is the matzo balls themselves. Soft, fluffy, and rich with egg and herbs, they bring a textural delight and richness to the bowl that you just don’t find elsewhere.

Why This Chicken Matzo Ball Soup is the Best

What makes this specific version of Chicken Matzo Ball Soup truly special? It’s the combination of traditional technique and modern convenience that makes it both authentic and achievable in any home kitchen.

• Whole Chicken for Maximum Flavor
  Instead of using chicken parts or store-bought broth, this recipe starts with a whole chicken simmered for over an hour. This slow cooking process extracts all the savory depth, collagen, and nutrients from the bones and skin, creating a homemade broth that’s rich, clear, and naturally golden. It’s a broth you can’t fake with bouillon cubes or boxed stock.
• Fluffy, Foolproof Matzo Balls
  Many cooks struggle with achieving the perfect texture for matzo balls—they either turn out dense and heavy or fall apart in the soup. But this recipe shares all the secrets: refrigerate the dough, use wet hands for shaping, and simmer (never boil) the matzo balls gently to get that light, cloud-like consistency every time.
• Balanced Nutrition
  Packed with protein from the chicken, fiber from vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil or schmaltz, this soup is nutrient-dense without being heavy. It’s low in carbs, especially if you keep matzo ball size moderate, and high in immune-boosting compounds from the garlic, onions, and herbs.

Health Benefits of Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

Aside from its cultural and emotional resonance, Chicken Matzo Ball Soup has real health benefits, making it an ideal recipe to turn to when you’re feeling under the weather—or just want to eat well.

• Boosts the Immune System
  Chicken soup has been shown in studies to reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, helping ease cold and flu symptoms. Garlic, onions, and celery contain compounds that support immune function, while carrots offer a strong dose of vitamin A.
• Hydration and Electrolytes
  A warm bowl of this soup delivers hydration, minerals, and electrolytes, especially when made with salt and real broth. If you’re recovering from illness or dehydration, it’s a gentle way to reintroduce nourishment.
• Gentle on the Digestive System
  Matzo balls are easy to digest, especially when made with healthy oils and not overloaded with heavy seasonings. That’s why this soup is often served to children, elderly loved ones, or those recovering from surgery—it’s comforting, digestible, and energizing.

The Secret Ingredient: Schmaltz

A traditional element that elevates this dish is schmaltz, or rendered chicken fat. This old-school ingredient adds a deeply savory note that can’t be matched by butter or oil. While it’s optional in this recipe (vegetable oil works well too), schmaltz gives the matzo balls and broth that nostalgic, old-world richness that many cooks remember from their grandmother’s kitchen.

You can make schmaltz easily at home by slowly heating chicken skin and fat trimmings until they melt into liquid gold. It keeps for weeks in the fridge and adds depth to everything it touches—from potatoes to matzo balls.

Tips for Perfect Matzo Balls Every Time

Matzo balls can be tricky, but with a few insider tricks, you can master the art:

• Chill the mixture for at least 30 minutes before forming. This allows the meal to absorb liquid and firm up.
• Wet your hands before shaping the balls to keep them from sticking and to help shape them gently.
• Don’t pack the dough tightly. Overworking the mixture makes the balls dense.
• Simmer, don’t boil. A gentle simmer helps the matzo balls puff and cook evenly.

How to Customize This Recipe

What makes this soup versatile is how adaptable it is. Here are some fun and useful customizations:

• Low-Carb Option: Reduce the number of matzo balls or make them smaller to reduce carbohydrates.
• Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth and skip the chicken, substituting in tofu or chickpeas for protein.
• Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the broth for a bit of warmth.
• Herbaceous Additions: Add dill, thyme, or rosemary to deepen the broth’s flavor profile.

Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly

This recipe is fantastic for batch cooking. You can easily:

• Make the broth and matzo balls in advance
• Freeze the matzo balls separately after cooking
• Store the shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge
• Combine everything when ready to serve for a fresh-tasting, fast meal

Leftovers only get better the next day, as the flavors meld beautifully over time. Just note that matzo balls tend to soak up broth, so you may want to store them separately if making ahead.

Serving Suggestions

This soup is satisfying enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs well with:

• A slice of rustic sourdough or challah bread
• A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Pickles or sauerkraut on the side for brightness
• A drizzle of olive oil or a spoonful of fresh dill on top for garnish

Perfect for Any Occasion

Though often associated with Jewish holidays, Chicken Matzo Ball Soup is universal in its appeal. It’s ideal for:

• Family dinners
• Meal prep Sundays
• Holiday meals (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah)
• When someone in the house is sick
• A cozy winter night by the fireplace

Conclusion

What makes this recipe more than just a soup is the emotion behind it. It represents tradition, comfort, healing, and connection. Cooking a pot of Chicken Matzo Ball Soup isn’t just about food—it’s about making something meaningful for yourself or someone you care about.

Whether you’re Jewish or not, this dish has the power to bring comfort and joy in a deeply personal way. From the moment the broth begins to bubble to the last fluffy dumpling in your spoon, it’s a reminder that the simplest foods are often the most profound.