Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
If you’re craving something nourishing, vibrant, and absolutely comforting, this Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is your new best friend. Packed with wholesome ingredients like tender chicken, hearty cabbage, and a colorful mix of vegetables, it brings warmth and nutrition to your table in every spoonful. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just want a light yet satisfying meal, this soup combines simplicity and flavor in a way that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry and fridge staples, but each plays a vital role in building the rich, harmonious flavor and satisfying texture of this Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe. From the aromatic garlic to the fresh vegetables and tender chicken, everything comes together to create a balanced, colorful bowl.
- 1½ tablespoons olive or avocado oil (extra virgin): Adds a smooth base and healthy fats for sautéing.
- ½ white or yellow onion, diced: Provides a sweet, savory foundation that enhances the soup’s depth.
- 3 celery ribs, diced (about 1 cup): Brings a subtle crunch and fresh earthiness to the mix.
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced: Offers aromatic warmth and a punch of flavor.
- 10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, green bean, and corn mix): Supplies vibrant color and a natural sweetness with convenience.
- ½ medium cabbage, chopped (about 4 cups): Adds body, fiber, and a slight peppery bite for contrast.
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes (preferably fire roasted): Gives a bright, tangy dimension and a touch of smoky charm.
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend: Brings aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme for an inviting flavor profile.
- 2 teaspoons salt: Enhances all the natural flavors perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right amount of gentle heat and depth.
- 8 cups chicken stock or broth: The soul of the soup, creating a rich, comforting liquid base.
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless): Provides tender protein that’ll soak up all those beautiful flavors.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating your olive or avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and celery and cook until they soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes. This brings out their natural sweetness and lays the perfect base for your soup.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Mixed Vegetables
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then add your frozen mixed vegetables and let them heat through, allowing their flavors to mingle with the aromatics for a vibrant layer of taste.
Step 3: Incorporate Cabbage and Tomatoes
Now it’s time to add the chopped cabbage and canned diced tomatoes. The cabbage adds texture and volume while the fire-roasted tomatoes bring subtle smokiness that deepens the soup’s character.
Step 4: Season and Pour Stock
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring everything together so the herbs and spices evenly distribute. Pour in your chicken stock and bring the whole pot to a gentle boil. This lovely broth is where the soup truly starts coming together.
Step 5: Add and Cook Chicken
Place the chicken breasts or thighs directly into the simmering soup. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let everything cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through. You’ll want to shred the chicken right in the pot or remove it to shred on a cutting board and then return it to the soup.
Step 6: Final Taste and Adjust
Give the soup a good stir and taste it. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed. This final step ensures your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is perfectly seasoned and ready to please.
How to Serve Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
Garnishes
To make that first spoonful extra special, top your soup with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. A squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten the flavors brilliantly, making every bite pop.
Side Dishes
This soup loves company! Serve it alongside a chunk of crusty whole-grain bread or crunchy garlic toast for dipping. For a lighter meal, pair it with a crisp green salad tossed with vinaigrette to round out your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For an inviting presentation, ladle your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe into pretty bowls and add a drizzle of extra olive oil on top. You could also serve it in sourdough bread bowls for that wow factor at dinner parties or cozy family meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. This makes lunch or dinner the next day a no-brainer, with all those wonderful flavors intensifying in the meantime.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup easily to have on hand for busy days. Use freezer-safe containers and freeze in individual portions or a large batch. It will keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated soup gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge first for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Turkey breast works beautifully, or you could swap in cooked beans for a vegetarian twist, though that would change the flavor profile somewhat. This recipe is very flexible.
Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Simply add all the ingredients except for the noodles and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. Add any quick-cooking vegetables at the end to keep their texture.
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Definitely! Fresh carrots, green beans, and corn will work just as well—simply chop them to similar sizes and add accordingly. Keep in mind fresh vegetables sometimes need a little longer cooking time.
How can I make this soup spicier?
Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking or just before serving for that gentle heat that wakes up the palate.
Is this soup suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, it’s an ideal candidate! Prepare a large batch to portion out for meals throughout the week. It reheats beautifully and the flavors meld even better after a day or two.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about a homemade bowl of Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe—it’s nourishing, flavorful, and incredibly cozy. I hope you fall in love with it just as I have and keep this recipe close for those moments when you want a wholesome meal that feels like a warm embrace. Go ahead, give it a try and watch how it brightens your mealtime!
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Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup is a nutritious, flavorful, and easy-to-make meal perfect for any day of the week. Packed with lean chicken, a medley of vegetables, and seasoned with Italian herbs, this comforting soup is both satisfying and wholesome, making it an excellent choice for a light yet hearty dish.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1½ tablespoons olive or avocado oil (extra virgin)
- ½ white or yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery ribs, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken stock or broth
Vegetables
- 10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, green bean, and corn mix)
- ½ medium cabbage, chopped (about 4 cups)
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes (preferably fire roasted)
Protein & Seasonings
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat the olive or avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery ribs, cooking until they are soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the vegetables and seasoning: Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables, chopped cabbage, and canned diced tomatoes. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning blend, salt, and black pepper evenly over the mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Add chicken and broth: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the pot. Pour in the 8 cups of chicken stock or broth to cover the ingredients. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken pieces from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the soup and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Final taste and serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt or seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy this wholesome and delicious chicken vegetable soup as a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs if you prefer juicier meat; breasts work well for a leaner option.
- This soup can be made vegan by replacing chicken and chicken broth with vegetable broth and adding more beans or tofu.
- Feel free to swap frozen mixed vegetables for fresh ones depending on seasonality and preference.
- To make a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes or mash some cooked vegetables.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
