• Step 1

  Make chicken broth: Place chicken (breast-side down) and giblets in large stockpot; add cold water. Season with salt. Bring to simmer, uncovered, on MED. Simmer 1 hr, skimming top every 15 min. Baste chicken with cooking liquids. Be careful not to boil.

• Step 2

  Add carrots, celery, thyme, onions, bay leaves, and peppercorns to stockpot; return to a simmer on MED. Simmer 2 hours, reducing heat to MED-LOW if broth starts to boil.

• Step 3

  Transfer chicken to work surface; let cool. Remove meat from bones; store meat in tightly closed containers in refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

• Step 4

  Strain out vegetables and spices; discard. Transfer 6 cups broth to container; refrigerate or freeze for later use. Keep remaining 16 cups broth in stockpot.

• Step 5

  Make soup: Heat broth on MED; bring to simmer. Cook about 1 hr until reduced by one-fourth. Add mirepoix; return to simmer. Cook 12-15 min until mirepoix veggies are tender.

• Step 6

  Whisk shortening and egg yolks in large bowl; stir in matzo. Sprinkle 6 Tbsp ice water over matzo mixture, stirring with a fork to combine. Set aside.

• Step 7

  Whip egg whites to a soft peak with hand mixer. Gently fold into matzo mixture. Cover; chill 30 min-1 hr.

• Step 8

  Add 3 cups cooked shredded chicken to stock.

• Step 9

  Bring pot of salted water to simmer as you form matzo balls. Make 15 matzo balls by rolling about 1/4 cup dough into golf-ball-size balls with wet hands. Add to simmering water. (Do not let water come to a full boil.) Cover; cook about 12 min until internal temp of matzo ball reaches 165 degrees (check by inserting thermometer halfway into thickest part of matzo ball). Remove matzo balls with slotted spoon.

• Step 10

  Add matzo balls to stockpot; season with salt and pepper.

• Make sure to continuously dip your hands in cold water while forming matzo balls. • For a denser matzo ball, poach in chicken stock (this will cloud stock). • Choose Kosher for Passover ingredients to ensure that this recipe is appropriate for your Passover table.

Note: When servings & ingredients are modified, nutrition & directions may vary.