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    Home » Type » Soups

    The Best Easy Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe (Kneidlach)

    Published: Mar 29, 2023 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This Chicken Matzo Ball Soup recipe is a classic Jewish Passover dish with fluffy matzo balls, tender chicken, and savory vegetables in a rich, flavorful homemade chicken broth. It has all the earmarks of nourishing comfort food, so don’t wait for Passover to make it!

    front view of bowls of chicken matzo balls soup with bite taken out of one ball to show fluffy texture

    Before you even taste it, the aroma will draw you in.

    Rich, flavorful broth with tender pieces of chicken, aromatic vegetables, and fluffy, light, and flavorful matzo ball dumplings.

    This soup is perfect cold weather comfort food for the soul.

    Chicken matzo ball soup is a traditional Passover dish. But really, it’s so good you’ll want it all winter long. It has a similar flavor profile as chicken noodle soup, but with fluffy dumplings replacing the noodles. Give it a try and discover a new favorite.

    hands holding bowl of matzo ball soup with vegetables

    In This Article

    • What is Matzo Ball Soup?
    • The Best Easy Matzo Ball Soup Recipe
    • Tips for Making the Best Chicken Matzo Ball Soup
    • Matzo Ball Soup Recipe FAQs
    • More Passover Soup Recipes to Make
    • Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe (Kneidlach)

    What is Matzo Ball Soup?

    To answer this, first we need to know what is a matzo ball?

    Matzo balls, aka kneidlach, are light and fluffy dumplings made from a matzo meal base.

    These dumplings cook in a flavorful broth (usually chicken broth) and absorb the rich flavor of the broth. Sometimes vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery are added to the soup along with chicken.

    The result is a flavorful, warming, healthy comfort food soup!

    close up of matzo ball soup showing fluffy texture of matzah balls

    The Best Easy Matzo Ball Soup Recipe

    Ingredients in Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

    ingredients in chicken matzo ball soup with manischewitz box mix

    Ingredients Chicken Soup with Homemade Stock:

    • Olive oil – to sear the chicken
    • Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs – boiling bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs is a trick to making a quick and easy homemade chicken stock! And rich homemade chicken stock will result in the most flavorful matzo balls
    • Kosher salt and black pepper – to season the soup
    • Onion – adds great depth of flavor
    • Chicken stock – you can use water instead, but a good stock is a great base for any soup
    • Bay leaf – add it if you have it, but don’t worry if you don’t
    • Carrot and celery – these aromatic vegetables bump up the flavor and nutrition
    • Garlic – friends, this isn't the time to go light on the garlic
    • Fresh thyme and parsley – just a little bit of fresh herbs really brightens the flavor of this hearty soup

    Matzo Balls Ingredients (Made with Manischewitz Mix):

    • Vegetable oil – light olive oil also works well
    • Eggs – act as a binder and help make our matzo ball dumplings light and fluffy
    • Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix – this is the brand I use because I love the seasonings and I find that it makes light, fluffy, and flavorful matzo balls; remember that matzo ball mix from a box is just pre-measured ingredients

    How to Make This Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe with Matzo Ball Mix and Homemade Chicken Stock

    how to make easy matzo ball soup with homemade chicken stock
    1. Heat the oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat. Once hot, add the chicken, skin-side-down. Sprinkle on the salt and black pepper. Sear until the chicken skin is golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes, and then flip the chicken over.
    2. Add the onion, nestling it down on the sides of the chicken in the pot. Cook 1 minute, stirring the onion as best you can.
    3. Add 5 cups of chicken stock and the bay leaf, and bring it up to a boil. Cover the pot and cook until the chicken is fully cooked, about 20 minutes, turning the heat down as necessary.
    4. Once the chicken is fully cooked, use tongs to remove it.
    5. Let it cool, then pull the chicken off the bone and chop it up (discard the skin and bones).
    6. Stir the remaining 5 cups chicken stock, chopped chicken, carrot, celery, garlic, and thyme into the soup. Bring back up to a boil, and then boil 5 minutes.
    how to make matzo balls with box mix
    1. While the chicken cooks, make the matzo ball mixture. Whisk together the oil and eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in the matzo ball mix packet until combined.
    2. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.
    how to cook matzo balls in chicken broth
    1. Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure the chilled matzo ball mixture. Once the mixture is measured out, roll into balls between the palms of your hands (it helps to wet your hands).
    2. Drop the matzo balls into the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes, turning the heat down as necessary. Add the parsley and serve.

    Storage and Reheating

    You can store chicken matzo ball soup covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. This soup reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you’re warming it up on the stovetop, just bring it to a gentle simmer.

    ladling jewish passover matzo ball soup from pot into bowls

    Tips for Making the Best Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

    • Start with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Yes, you can just use rotisserie chicken meat instead. However, the rich, flavorful broth that we get from searing the chicken skin and then boiling the chicken thighs with the bones makes the best matzo balls.
    • Wet your hands when you roll out the matzo ball mix. It helps prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands! Also, make sure you chill the mixture long enough.
    overhead view of bowls of chicken matzo ball soup on marble countertop

    Matzo Ball Soup Recipe FAQs

    What Are Matzo Balls Called in Yiddish?

    A singular matzo ball is called knaidl, and other transliterations include knaidel, kneidl, kneidel, knaydel, and kneydl. The plural form (meaning matzo balls) is kneidlach, and is also transliterated kneidlach and kneydlach. (Read more about the many transliterations of matzah balls on Wikipedia.)

    And of course this soup is also lovingly referred to as “Jewish Penicillin”!

    What Are Matzo Balls Made Of?

    There are three main ingredients in matzo balls: matzo meal, eggs, and fat (such as oil or chicken fat, which is known as schmaltz). Matzo meal is simply matzo crackers that are finely ground. Of course every family makes their matzah balls a little differently with slightly different ingredient ratios.

    Seasonings are frequently added as well, but they vary greatly. Salt and pepper are a must, and garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs (such as parsley or dill) are common as well.

    Also, don’t forget that a lot of the flavor of matzo balls comes from the liquid in the soup that they’re cooked in. That’s why a well-seasoned, good-quality chicken broth is perfect for making this matzo soup recipe.

    Is Matzo Ball Mix Good?

    Matzo balls made from a boxed mix are delicious. Remember that matzo ball mix is just pre-measured ingredients!

    My personal preference is Manischewitz matzo ball mix because the dumplings turn out light, fluffy, and flavorful every time. Of course it’s important to cook them in a well-seasoned chicken broth because the matzo balls absorb the liquid as they cook.

    close up front view of easy homemade matzo ball soup with chicken and vegetables in serving bowl

    How Can I Make Homemade Matzo Balls From Scratch?

    To make lovely light and fluffy matzo balls from scratch (that float!), you will need the following ingredients:

    • ½ cup matzo meal
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder (use kosher for Passover baking powder if making for Passover)
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or ⅓ teaspoon dried dill instead)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, light olive oil, or melted schmaltz (chicken fat)

    Here are the steps to make homemade matzo balls:

    1. Whisk together the matzo meal, baking powder, dried parsley (or dill), salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.
    2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil or melted schmaltz. Stir in the matzo meal mixture until combined.
    3. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
    4. Cook the matzo balls in chicken broth as directed in the recipe below.

    When is Matzo Ball Soup Served?

    This soup is a classic Ashkenazi Jewish dish served during Passover.

    More Passover Soup Recipes to Make

    • Cream of Celery Soup
    • Vegetarian Borscht
    • Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup
    easy matzo ball soup recipe with chicken

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    homemade matzo ball soup featured image

    Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe (Kneidlach)

    By: Faith Gorsky
    This Chicken Matzo Ball Soup recipe is a classic Jewish Passover dish with fluffy matzo balls, tender chicken, and savory vegetables in a rich, flavorful homemade chicken broth. It has all the earmarks of comfort food, so don’t wait for Passover to make it!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Course Soup
    Cuisine Jewish
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 540 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Chicken Soup:

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
    • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
    • 1 large onion chopped
    • 10 cups chicken stock divided
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 4 large carrots peeled and sliced
    • 4 large stalks celery sliced
    • 8 large cloves garlic crushed
    • 1 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
    • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

    Matzo Balls (Made with Manischewitz Mix):

    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or light olive oil, or melted schmaltz (chicken fat)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 2.5 ounce packet Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat. Once hot, add the chicken, skin-side-down. Sprinkle on the salt and black pepper. Sear until the chicken skin is golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes, and then flip the chicken over.
    • Add the onion, nestling it down on the sides of the chicken in the pot. Cook 1 minute, stirring the onion as best you can.
    • Add 5 cups of chicken stock and the bay leaf, and bring it up to a boil. Cover the pot and cook until the chicken is fully cooked, about 20 minutes, turning the heat down as necessary.
    • Meanwhile, make the matzo ball mixture. Whisk together the oil and eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in the matzo ball mix packet until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.
    • Once the chicken is fully cooked, use tongs to remove it. Let it cool, then pull the chicken off the bone and chop it up (discard the skin and bones).
    • Stir the remaining 5 cups chicken stock, chopped chicken, carrot, celery, garlic, and thyme into the soup. Bring back up to a boil, and then boil 5 minutes.
    • Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure the chilled matzo ball mixture. Once the mixture is measured out, roll into balls between the palms of your hands (it helps to wet your hands).
    • Drop the matzo balls into the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes, turning the heat down as necessary.
    • Add the parsley and serve.

    Faith's Tips

    • Storage and Reheating: You can store chicken matzo ball soup covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. This soup reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you’re warming it up on the stovetop, just bring it to a gentle simmer.
    • Tips For Making Matzo Balls: Wet your hands when you roll out the matzo ball mix. It helps prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands! Also, make sure you chill the mixture long enough.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe (Kneidlach)
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 540 Calories from Fat 288
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 32g49%
    Saturated Fat 7g44%
    Trans Fat 0.1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
    Monounsaturated Fat 14g
    Cholesterol 161mg54%
    Sodium 1107mg48%
    Potassium 913mg26%
    Carbohydrates 33g11%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 30g60%
    Vitamin A 7306IU146%
    Vitamin C 11mg13%
    Calcium 73mg7%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, Easy Matzo Ball Soup Recipe, Kneidlach, Matzo Ball Soup, Matzo Ball Soup Recipe, Matzo Soup
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    easy matzo ball soup with homemade chicken broth pin

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    Hi, I'm Faith!

    I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind An Edible Mosaic. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had. Welcome to An Edible Mosaic!

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