Rosól, sometimes written as rosol, is a popular Polish chicken soup often enjoyed in the winter. Similar to basic Polish borscht, rosól only requires a few quick steps of preparation. Its simplicity and wholesomeness make Rosól a food of comfort on cold winter days. Rosol can also help one get over common colds quicker.
Ingredients for Basic Polish Chicken Soup
Makes 6-8 servings
- 1 medium to large onion
- 2-3 medium large carrots
- 1 large leek, white part only
- 1 whole chicken, or 1 kilogram of chicken legs
- 3 bay leaves
- 5-6 peppercorns
- Salt
- Water
- 1 packet of angle hair pasta, 200-300 grams
- Optional: 2 medium parsley roots
- Optional: 4-5 dried juniper berries
- Optional: 1-2 Knorr chicken flavor cubes
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Directions for Cooking Basic Rosól
- Wash chicken thoroughly and take off skin if desired
- Place chicken in a large, thick bottom pot
- Peel onion, carrots and leek (and parsley roots if available)
- Add peeled vegetables into pot along with chicken
- Add bay leaves and peppercorns (and juniper berries if available)
- Pour filtered water into pot until water level reaches 2-3 inches above all ingredients
- Cover pot and cook rosól on high heat for twenty minutes
- After twenty minutes, reduce heat to medium-low
- Remove lid and add salt as desired
- Add Knorr chicken flavor cubes if desired
- Replace lid and continue to cook on medium-low for at least another hour
- If time allows, let soup cook for two hours and add more water as needed
Serving and Enjoying Polish Rosól
Place 1 cup of cooked angel hair pasta in a bowl. Angel hair pasta can be substituted by other kinds of long noodle, such as glass noodle or rice vermicelli noodle. Ladle a generous amount of hot broth over noodle. Add pieces of vegetables from the soup. Sprinkle some ground pepper on top for extra taste. Chopped fresh parsley can also be added, but it is not necessary.
In some Polish households, the chicken meat from rosól is served separately. The chicken is taken out into a large plate or bowl and is placed at the center of the table. Some people add pieces of chicken into their soup, while others enjoy the meat by itself after they are finished with the soup.
Other Polish Recipes for Rosól
As with any dish, there is more than one way of making Polish chicken noodle soup. Many people use celery, dill, and Chinese cabbage in their rosól. Beef is a popular substitute for chicken. Sometimes both beef and chicken are used. The possibilities can be limitless and a bowl of rosol can do wonders on a chilly winter day.
