Cooking a whole chicken is easier than it seems, and having one or two on hand can be a lifesaver when you're trying to get dinner on the table in a pinch. It's also a good way to make the most of your money: with some basic seasonings, you've got a flavorful base for soup, as well as healthy, protein-packed leftovers that can be used for lunch or snacks throughout the week.


If you're worried about time and energy, you don't have to worry about this recipe. Once it's going in the oven, you don't have to check on it until it's done—which means you can go do something else while it cooks!


Ingredients


1 whole chicken (4-5 lbs)


2 tsp salt


1/2 tsp pepper


1 tbsp paprika


1 tbsp onion powder


Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Rub chicken all over with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Place chicken breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Transfer to preheated oven and cook covered for 90 minutes. Remove cover and cook uncovered for an additional 30-45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165


This chicken soup recipe is guaranteed to keep you warm and cozy all winter long.


We have a couple of tips to make this recipe even better:


1. Don't be afraid to add more salt, or any other seasoning that you like! Salt is a wonderful thing, and it's the best way to bring out the natural flavors in lots of foods—so shake it on with abandon until your dish tastes exactly how you want it.


2. Feel free to experiment with different types of broth, if you don't like chicken broth. The flavor of your finished soup will change depending on what kind of stock you use--for example, beef broth might give it a richer flavor than chicken, or vegetable broth might make it lighter but still very flavorful.


4. Don't forget about texture when cooking! If you want more texture in your soup (perhaps because you're not a huge fan of mushy vegetables), cut them into smaller chunks before adding them to your pot—this will also help them cook faster so they're not overcooked by the time everything else has finished cooking.