The standard cooking time for simmering chicken soup is typically between 1 to 2 hours. This duration allows the chicken and other ingredients to release their flavors into the broth, resulting in a rich and flavorful soup. The simmering process is crucial as it gently cooks the chicken without overcooking it, ensuring that the meat remains tender and juicy.

The reason for this cooking time lies in the science of cooking. When chicken is simmered, the heat is kept at a low temperature, which allows the proteins in the chicken to slowly denature and break down. This process not only tenderizes the meat but also allows the flavors to meld together. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Science, simmering chicken for 1 to 2 hours is sufficient to achieve the desired level of tenderness and flavor development (Smith et al., 2018). Additionally, the simmering process helps to extract the maximum amount of nutrients from the chicken and other ingredients, making the soup not only delicious but also nutritious.