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We’ve simmered down our favorite technique for making super-flavorful chicken soup into 5 simple steps. Follow this plan and you’ll be serving up bowls of soup brimming with vegetables and fiber with a fraction of the sodium found in traditional soups. Start with a classic combination of carrots, celery, peas and egg noodles or go for a different blend of vegetables and seasonings to create your new favorite chicken soup.
Whether you go for the chicken noodle or have a taste for fiery Moroccan-inspired soup, we’ve got you covered. Every great pot starts with garlic, onions, bone-in chicken breast and low-sodium broth. From there, make it your own with your favorite mix of herbs, spices, vegetables, grains and/or beans.
bowls of chicken soup Credit: Andrew Scrivani
5 Steps for Making Chicken Soup
Step 1. Lay the base
The best soups start with a combination of aromatic vegetables cooked in oil to bring out their flavor. To start, heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; add 1 cup chopped onion and 2 large minced garlic cloves. Cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 to 4 tsp. seasonings. Cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes more.
Seasonings:
Dried
Bay leafMarjoramOreganoRosemarySageThyme
Ground
AllspiceCayenneChili powderChipotleCinnamonCorianderCuminCurry powderPaprika
Minced
Chipotle chiles in adoboGingerLemongrass
Step 2. Hack “homemade” broth
Save time by using boxed or canned broth (look for low-sodium options with about 150 mg sodium per cup). Make it taste like homemade stock by cooking the chicken for the soup in the broth before adding other ingredients. Pour 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth into the pot with the seasonings. Add 2 lb. bone-in chicken breasts (without skin); simmer until cooked through (165°F on an instant-read thermometer), 20 to 22 minutes. While it cooks, skim any foam from the surface to keep the broth clear. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board to cool, then shred or chop into bite-size pieces.
making chicken soup Credit: Andrew Scrivani
Step 3. Load it with vegetables
A bowl of soup can be a great way to help you get more vegetables into your day. Add 6 to 8 cups vegetables to the broth after you take out the chicken. Return to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 10 minutes.
Vegetables (fresh or frozen, thawed)
Diced
Bell pepperCeleriacPotato, yellow or redRutabagaSweet potatoTurnipWinter squash
Chopped
Broccoli or broccoliniCauliflowerChardCollardsGreen beansKaleSpinachTomatoes
Sliced
CabbageCarrotsCeleryFennelMushroomsZucchini or summer squash
Whole
Corn kernelsShelled peas
Step 4. Bump up the fiber
Add 3 cups cooked whole grains or 11/2 cups cooked beans (or one 15-oz. can rinsed beans) to the pot. Stir in the chicken, 11/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cook until heated through.
Pasta/grains/beans
Whole-wheat pasta
Egg noodlesFusiliMacaroniOrzoSpaghettiWagon wheels
Grains
BarleyBrown riceCouscous, whole-wheatFarroFreekehMilletQuinoaWheat berries
Beans
Black beansCannellini or navy beansChickpeasKidney beans
Step 5. Go for big flavor
Just before serving, add one more layer of flavor. You can add a pop of freshness with something as simple as chopped parsley or a squeeze of lime. For a more complex finish, stir in some pesto or chile paste.
Flavor Boost:
Herbs (1-3 Tbsp.)
BasilChivesCilantroDillMintParsleyTarragon
Herb sauces (2-4 Tbsp.)
ChimichurriPesto Salsa Verde
Hot sauces (1-3 tsp.)
Chile-garlicCurry pasteHarissaSriracha
Acid (1-3 Tbsp.)
Lemon juiceLime juiceVinegar
Umami (1-3 Tbsp.)
Fish sauceMisoReduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
Chicken Soup Recipes to Try
Classic Chicken Soup Classic Chicken Soup View Recipe Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables. Chipotle Chicken Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you're in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one! Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup View Recipe This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end. Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa. Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup View Recipe This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end.
bowls of chicken soup Credit: Andrew Scrivani
bowls of chicken soup
Credit: Andrew Scrivani
making chicken soup Credit: Andrew Scrivani
making chicken soup
Classic Chicken Soup Classic Chicken Soup View Recipe Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables.
Chipotle Chicken Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you're in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one!
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup View Recipe This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end.
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa.
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup View Recipe This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end.
Classic Chicken Soup Classic Chicken Soup View Recipe Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables.
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables.
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic Chicken Soup
Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables.
Chipotle Chicken Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you're in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one!
Chipotle Chicken
Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup
This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you’re in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one!
Chipotle Chicken
Chipotle Chicken
Chipotle Chicken
Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup
This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you’re in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one!
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup View Recipe This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end.
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup
Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup
This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end.
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup
Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup
Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup
This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end.
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa.
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup
This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa.
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
Moroccan Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup
This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa.
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup View Recipe This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end.
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end.
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup
This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end.
` ask the test kitchen logo View Series The Best Air Fryers, According to the EatingWell Test Kitchen 3 Must-Have Kitchen Knives Every Home Cook Needs, According to Experts 5 Foods You Should Never Store in the Refrigerator Door The Best Citrus Juicers, According to Our Test Kitchen
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The Best Air Fryers, According to the EatingWell Test Kitchen 3 Must-Have Kitchen Knives Every Home Cook Needs, According to Experts 5 Foods You Should Never Store in the Refrigerator Door The Best Citrus Juicers, According to Our Test Kitchen
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