Hungarian Chicken Soup with Vermicelli

Hungarian chicken soup, commonly known as húsleves, is a beloved classic of home cooking. It is traditionally made by slowly simmering chicken with root vegetables to create a clear, deeply flavored golden broth.

The soup is often served with thin vermicelli noodles, tender carrots, potatoes, and pieces of the cooked chicken. It is especially comforting on a cold day or whenever you want a simple homemade meal.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, about 3–4 lb
• 3–4 carrots, peeled
• 2 parsley roots or parsnips
• 1 small celery root or 2 celery stalks
• 2–3 potatoes, peeled
• 1 large onion, halved
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small tomato
• 1 small bell pepper, optional
• 10 cups cold water
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley
• 4–6 oz thin vermicelli noodles