Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe - Stovetop and Instant Pot Instructions (2024)

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Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe – Chicken Dumpling Soup

Stovetop and Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Instructions

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup is considered Jewish comfort food with the popular nickname of “Jewish Penicillin” because it is the soup that can cure anything! Just ask any Jewish Mother, and they will tell you their recipe is thebest version which of course is made with love. Chicken matzo ball soup also happens to be the traditional soup served during the Passover Seder holiday. The matzo ball dumplings in the soup represent the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate during the eight days journey when they escaped slavery from ancient Egypt. For this recipe, instructions are provided to cook on the stovetop and the Instant Pot pressure cooker. Ellen Easton shares this recipe as part of her Passover Seder dinner menu.

Stovetop Instructions
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Instructions

Recipe by Reva Paul © and photo by Ellen Easton ©2020 – All Rights Reserved

Check out more of Ellen Easton’s Tea Travels™ articles and recipes.

Learn about the History of English High Tea and more delicious Afternoon Tea Recipes.

History of Matzo Balls:

Matzo balls are also known asknoedel orknoedelawhich was a European tradition that Germans, Austrians, Alsatains, and the Polish used in their soups. These dumplings were made from the leftover crumbs of matzo bread. In the 1930’s, the Manischewitz company in the United States, which produces and sells kosher foods, began packaging and selling them as “Alsatain Feathery Balls.” It is believed that Jewishvaudeville comedians started dubbing them as “Matzo Balls.” The texture of the matzo balls can be light as a feather and float on top of the soup or denser causing them to sink down the soup. Many refer the matzo balls as either “floaters” or “sinkers” and the topic is of much debate on which is preferred.

History source:
Celebrating Passover:The History and Symbolism of Matzo Balls, The Salt What’s On Your Plate, NPR.org, April 3, 2015
How to Master Matzo Ball Soup, Bon Appetit, Recipes section, by Alison Roman, April 2nd, 2014

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Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe:

Course:Soup

Cuisine:Jewish

Keyword:Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Ellen Easton 2020 - All Rights Reserved

Ingredients

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup:

  • 6cups (1 1/2-quarts)chicken broth*
  • 1/2cupcelery,chopped
  • 1/2cupcarrots,sliced
  • 1mediumonion,chopped
  • 1wholechicken breast(about 2 pounds), skinless or 5 or 6 chicken tenders
  • 1teaspoonReva Paul’s seasoning mix**
  • 1teaspoonsalt
  • 1tablespoon of curlyparsley,finely chopped

Matzo Balls:

  • 2largeeggs,slightly beaten
  • 2tablespoonsvegetable oilor rendered chicken fat aka "schmaltz"***
  • 1/2cupManischewitz® Matzo Meal
  • 1teaspoon of Reva Paul's Seasoning Mix**
  • 2tablespoons curly parsley,finely chopped
  • 2tablespoonsManischewitz® brothor soup broth****

Instructions

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Instructions:

  1. Stovetop Instructions:

  2. In a large pot over medium heat, add the chicken broth, celery, carrots, onion, chicken, seasoning mix, and parsley. Stir together and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and letsimmer for 30 minutes.

  3. When the chicken turns white, remove from the pot; dice or shred into small bite size pieces and place chicken back into the pot. Keep on a low heat. While the soup is cooking, prepare the matzo balls. See Matzo Ball recipe and instructionsbelow.

  4. Reheat soup mixture over medium heat until boiling. Drop matzo balls into a pot of boiling soup.

  5. Cover with a lid and reduce heat back down to medium-low. Let simmer until matzo balls are thoroughly cooked, about 30 to 40 minutes. (Do not open lid to disturb the matzo balls or soup during this time). Salt and pepper the soup to taste. Serve soup while warm.

  6. Ladle 2-3 matzo balls with chicken soup into each individual bowl. Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley or dill and enjoy!

  7. Serves 6

  8. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Instructions:

  9. Add the chicken broth, celery, carrots, onion, chicken, seasoning mix, and parsley to the inner pot and stir everything together. Cover with a lid and close the lid to the sealing position. Make sure the pressure valve is also closed to the sealing position. Press the Manual button and adjust to a High-Pressure setting. Next, set the cooking time for 15 minutes. When the cooking time is finished, let the pressure naturally release until you see the pressure float pin drop (this should take about 15-20 minutes). Open the lid and set aside.

  10. Remove the chicken from the inner pot; dice or shred into small bite size pieces and place chicken back into the inner pot. While the chicken soup is cooking, prepare the matzo balls.See Matzo Ball recipe and instructionsbelow.

  11. Drop the matzo balls into the inner pot with the chicken soup. Note: Make sure not to overcrowd the matzo balls, you need to leave room for expansion while they steam in the pressure cooker. Keep in mind, they will double in size when done cooking so make sure there is room for them to grow! You can freeze extra matzo balls to use another time. (You can probably fit 9-10 uncooked matzo balls in a 6 quart Instant Pot, about 12 matzo balls should fit in an 8 quart Instant Pot.)Cover with a lid and close the lid to the sealing position. Press the Manual button, and adjust to a High-Pressure setting. Set the cooking time for 15 minutes. then quick-release the remaining pressure. You may need to cover the pressure valve with a towel to catch any liquids they may spurt out. Salt and pepper the soup to taste.

  12. Ladle 2-3 matzo balls with chicken soup into each individual bowl. Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley or dill and enjoy!

  13. Serves 6

Matzo Ball Instructions:

  1. Remove chilled matzo ball batterfrom refrigerator. Moisten hands with olive oil. Place a sheet of wax paper on the countertop surface for your work area. On wax paper form batter into matzo balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. (No need to make the matzo balls bigger as they will expand while cooking)

  2. Matzo Ball Freezing Tip:You can freeze the cooked matzo balls for later use. Place the matzo balls on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer uncovered for one hour. After the matzo balls are individually frozen, you can then place them in a resealable freezer bag to store in the freezer for up to 6 months and they will not stick together. When ready to use, let the matzo balls thaw to room temperature before adding to the soup stock.

Recipe Notes

*For homemade chicken broth see recipe for Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup.

**Reva Paul's Seasoning Mix:
2-1⁄2 tablespoons onion powder
2-1⁄2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Store in a container, preferably with a dual shaker with an easy to spoon out top. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.

***If making homemade chicken broth, rendered chicken fat (or schmaltz), is the layer of fat that thickens at the surface of the broth after it has cooled down. Scrape the fat off the surface to use in the matzo ball mixture or wrap in plastic to freeze for later use in recipes like homemade biscuitsinstead of shortening.

****Can substitute water

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Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe - Stovetop and Instant Pot Instructions (10)

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Chicken Matzo Ball Soup Recipe - Stovetop and Instant Pot Instructions (2024)

FAQs

How long to simmer soup in Instant Pot? ›

The time it takes to boil soup in an Instant Pot can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, on average, it usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and then an additional 15 to 30 minutes for the soup to boil and cook adequately.

How do you know when matzo ball soup is done? ›

When all of the balls are added, reduce the heat to medium-low heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove one matzo ball, cut in half and check for doneness. The matzo ball is done when the inside is not dark or wet.

How long to heat up matzo ball soup? ›

REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS:

Bring chicken broth to a boil; add matzo balls to the simmering pot for 10-15 min., or until heated through.

Can matzo ball soup be frozen? ›

Yes, the soup and the matzo balls can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. To enjoy later, defrost both the soup and the matzo balls in the refrigerator overnight. When you're ready to serve, reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.

How long can soup simmer on the stove? ›

Bring it all to a boil, then simmer. You will know it's done when it's all tender, anywhere from 25 minutes to 3 hours depending on the ingredients. Meat is a luxurious addition to any soup. When you can, choose stewing cuts, such as chicken legs, pork shoulder, beef chuck, short ribs or shank.

How long should soup simmer on stove? ›

As a general guideline, it is recommended to heat the soup over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Simmering the soup for around 5-10 minutes should be sufficient to ensure it is thoroughly heated.

Can you overcook matzo balls? ›

Note that they'll “look done” after about 10 minutes, however it really does take around 45 minutes to cook all the way to the center of the ball. If you cut one open and the center looks yellow and grainy, like the batter, it's not done yet. You can't overcook a matzo ball.

Do matzo balls float when they're done? ›

Whether you prefer a light and fluffy matzo ball or a chewier and denser one, there is a recipe out there for you to try. One thing is for sure though, every matzo ball floats right out of the pot, then sinks. Even the dense and chewy version sunk after soaking in broth overnight.

Should matzo balls float or sink? ›

They usually double or triple in size as they cook and, the larger they are, the more likely they are to become “sinkers.” NEVER peek at cooking matzah balls! They will sink to the bottom of the pot. When the time is up, turn off heat, let the pot sit for about 15 minutes, and then remove the cover.

Why does matzo ball soup make you feel better? ›

The heat of the soup, the carbohydrates in the matzo balls, the extra liquid for hydration, and the chemical properties of the broth all combine to help the body power through a cold.

Why aren t my matzo balls fluffy? ›

If you used baking powder and seltzer and your matzo balls are still turning out dense, this could be because you over-mixed the ingredients. Mixing the ingredients until just incorporated will ensure that the air bubbles needed for a fluffy texture aren't whipped out.

Can you prepare matzo balls ahead of time? ›

You can make them ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate before cooking, then drop them into the hot broth a few minutes before serving. That's how most people cook them. If there are delis who keep matzo soup out for long periods with the balls in the soup, I haven't seen them.

Is matzo ball soup healthy? ›

With light, fluffy matzo balls and a soothing base of chicken broth + veggies, this soup is a satisfying and nutritious comfort food. Matzo ball soup is a beloved favorite at family gatherings during Passover but can also be enjoyed year-round.

What is a substitute for schmaltz in matzo balls? ›

If a recipe calls for schmaltz and you don't have any, you can substitute melted butter, ghee, or your choice of cooking oil. You may miss the full-flavored goodness of schmaltz, but you can easily substitute any cooking fat in its place.

Why are my matzo balls so hard? ›

Why do matzo balls get so hard? - Quora. The answer to why some matzah balls come out like rubber balls instead of fluffy clouds, is the addition of water to the batter. It doesn't matter if you add flat water or seltzer to the mix, just don't do it.

What setting do you simmer soup on? ›

Set your stovetop to low to medium heat, slowly increasing it until you reach the desired simmer. Be aware that adding new ingredients may cause the temperature to drop slightly.

Does soup get better the longer you simmer? ›

Originally Answered: Does simmering soup longer make it taste better? If you're simmering a thing for hours, you will intensify the flavor by cooking off some of the liquid. This might make it taste better, but if cooked too long, it may end up too salty or otherwise be over-seasoned.

Do soups taste better the longer they simmer? ›

After it's come to a boil and you've turned it down to a simmer, let it cook for awhile. 10 minutes, 15 minutes... whatever you want. Just know the longer you cook it, the more flavor that will come out of the food and into the soup.

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