Feel Better Chicken Vegetable Soup

A steaming bowl of broth-style chicken vegetable soup is the perfect comfort food, especially when you’re under the weather. This one is dotted with carrots, celery and onion to create a nutritious recipe. And best of all, it’s easy and inexpensive to make. Not only is this healthy chicken soup recipe perfect for a cold winter day, but it’s also light enough to enjoy year-round. It’s also rich in protein and contains ingredients with potential anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting nutrients.

I grew up eating chicken and vegetable soup as comfort food. It was my go-to meal when I wasn’t feeling well because it was easy to digest and provided the only nutrition I could tolerate. Even today, when the kids aren’t feeling their best, chicken vegetable soup is always on the menu, along with my Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Soup.

As a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, I’m excited to share this recipe as we enter a season known for viruses. It’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients and can easily be adapted to your taste or dietary needs. This recipe uses lean chicken thighs and just enough vegetables to balance out the flavours.

This chicken veggie soup recipe is a great way to get all the yumminess without spending hours in the kitchen. So next time you’re feeling under the weather or just need a little comfort, curl up with a bowl and let it warm you up.

Ingredients

I’ve kept the ingredients list short, only using items that are probably already in your pantry. When you’re feeling poorly, the last thing on your mind is tracking down ingredients for a complicated recipe. And let’s not forget, pungent flavours are probably not going to sound appetizing when you’re not feeling your best.

To make this soup, here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken: skinless, boneless thighs are my preferred chicken option for soup because they don’t dry out compared to other chicken cuts. I like to keep the thighs whole to prevent the soup from becoming cloudy. My family prefers our soups to have a clear chicken broth base.
• Carrots: diced carrots add a pop of colour and natural sweetness to the soup – which we love.
• Celery: its light flavour pairs well with chicken. You want to dice it into small pieces, similar in size to the carrots, for even cooking.
• Onion: diced white onion adds another layer of flavour to chicken soup.
• Olive oil: as a heart healthy cooking oil, I use it to lightly caramelize the garlic before adding the onions.
• Garlic: Not only does freshly sliced garlic add a delicious dimension of flavour to your soup, but it also comes with antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits.
• Ginger: has been shown to soothe and calm the digestive system and could help as a natural remedy for nausea.
• Chicken broth: I opted for no added salt chicken broth because it’s easier to control the sodium. Plus, the chicken broth adds a rich flavour to the soup — not to mention additional protein.
• Bay leaves: add a subtle woodsy aroma and delicious flavour, without the need for additional herbs.
• Parsely: A handful of fresh parsley not only adds a beautiful touch of freshness but is packed with antioxidants which pose promising health benefits like lowering the risk of heart disease, and some types of cancers.
• Salt and pepper: to bring all the flavours together.

How to make it

There are only five steps:

1. To make this chicken vegetable soup, start by sautéing the garlic and ginger with bay leaves in a cast iron cooking pot (Step 1).
2. Once the garlic starts to release its aroma, add onion and saute for 1 minute on medium heat. Next, add chicken thighs and turmeric and stir. You want to cook the thighs until they turn a light golden brown, stirring frequently so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot (Step 2).
3. After that, throw in the carrots, celery, and chicken broth (Steps 3-4). Let the soup come to a boil then turn down the heat to low-medium and let it simmer for 25 minutes while covered.
4. Finish your soup with salt, pepper and parsley (Steps 5-6).

While this simple chicken and vegetable is a comforting option on its own, feel free to add in cooked quinoa or noodles for added dietary fibre, carbs and protein if desired. This also makes for great leftovers the next day (if you have any)!

Tips and storage suggestions

To ensure your soup tastes just as good the next day, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Following are some additional tips and suggestions to make this chicken vegetable soup recipe your own:

• If you want a heartier soup, consider adding diced yellow or sweet potatoes – just remember to add them before the chicken is cooked through.
• Want some heat? Add diced jalapeños or top with crushed red pepper flakes for added spice.
• This soup also pairs well with a slice of crusty bread or crackers on the side.
• Reheat on the stovetop or microwave when you’re ready to serve.
• Feel free to experiment with your favourite vegetables, just make sure they can cook through within the 25-minute simmering time.

What herbs and spices are good in soups?

Consider experimenting with adding herbs and spices at different stages in the cooking process to vary their intensity in the final dish. Ultimately, it’s up to your personal preference and taste.

The truth is, the options are endless. Here are a bunch that I would recommend trying out:

• cumin
• thyme
• oregano
• red pepper flakes
• dill
• rosemary
• basil
• coriander seeds
• cloves
• star anise

Is chicken vegetable soup good for you?

This chicken vegetable soup is packed with nutritious ingredients such as chicken, vegetables, turmeric and aromatics like onion, garlic, and ginger. It’s a great option for those looking for a lighter meal or for anyone trying to incorporate more vegetables into their diet.

Additionally, some of the ingredients used in this recipe (such as ginger and parsley) have potential health benefits as noted earlier.

Protein from chicken thighs and broth provides essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) that support muscle growth and maintenance. Plus, protein supports recovery from exercise and helps maintain a feeling of fullness after a meal.

What are your favourite healthy home meals when you’re feeling under the weather? Let me know in the comments below.

If you try this soup recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! I can’t wait to see your photos. 

Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi