Shchi (Russian Cabbage Soup)

bowl of russian cabbage soup with spoon sticking out sitting on pink cloth.

Shchi is a classic cabbage soup that is easy to customize. Made with chicken, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and more, it's a simple soup that is filling and delicious!

Course Soups + Stews

Cuisine Russian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 55

Resting Time 15

Total Time 1 15

Servings - 5

Author Yuliia Stsepeleva

Ingredients

2 chicken legs
water, to make the chicken broth
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups white/green cabbage, chopped
2 large potatoes, cut into cubes
2/3 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper
fresh herbs and sour cream, for serving

Instructions

Place the chicken legs in a large saucepan or pot, add the bay leaves, and pour in enough water to cover the chicken. Simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked. Then discard the bay leaves and remove the chicken from the bones. Discard the bones and skin. You can strain the broth if needed.
While the broth is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and carrots and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped garlic. Fry everything together for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
When the broth is done, add the fried vegetables, cabbage, potatoes, chicken, salt, and pepper to the broth.
Cook the soup for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Taste and add more salt and/or pepper if needed.
When the shchi is done, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 15 minutes. Then serve with fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley, and sour cream.

Notes

You can also use a good quality storebought chicken broth if you prefer (you'll still have to cook the meat in the broth if you're using raw chicken. If you have leftover cooked chicken, you can use that).
You can also make shchi with beef, turkey, and pork – or without meat, for example, with mushrooms.
Sometimes sauerkraut is used instead of fresh cabbage. It is then referred to as “sour shchi”. If you like, you can also add a mix of both.
For a slightly different flavor, you can add some tomato paste or crushed tomatoes to the soup.

Nutrition

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.