Easy Chicken Soup Recipes are a must to take the chill off winter. This collection offers great options for every flavor preference!
There is nothing more comforting than soup in the cold weather season.
Chicken soup in particular seems to conjure cozy grandmotherly feelings that make any day feel better.
Whether looking for an easy dinner recipe, a hearty lunch idea or a soul-warming side dish, these easy chicken soup recipes will help you find a new favorite!
How to Make an Easy Chicken Soup Recipe
There are easy chicken soup recipes for every preferred cooking method:
- Stovetop
- Slow Cooker
- Instant Pot
I prefer to start chicken soup recipes by sautéing some aromatic vegetables which add a great flavor base to the broth.
Onion, celery and carrots are a classic vegetable trio to start with.
Other ingredients are added and simmered to develop a full comforting flavor!
Chicken Soup for a Cold
I personally always make a big batch of easy chicken soup as soon as any sniffles start in my house during the winter months.
True fact or Old Wives Tale that chicken soup actually helps a cold?
Multiple medical journals and professionals have published opinions that chicken soup actually helps relieve symptoms of cold and flu.
Benefits include reduced inflammation, reduces congestion, helps improve dehydration, helps the spread of infection and more.
Difference between Soup and Chowder
Chowder, usually associated with seafood, is a thick soup. It often has a chunky consistency.
Chowders can be cream-based or broth based.
A Special Trick for Shredding Chicken for Chicken Soup
I prefer this trick from Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast for speed and ease when making my easy chicken soup recipe.
If using this method, do not over shred the chicken so it becomes too fine. Large shreds of chicken work best in soups.
Freezing Chicken Soup
When I make a large batch of easy chicken soup, I often freeze some to have on hand when the need strikes and I might not have time to make some.
Most chicken soups freeze well. The exception is a cream-based chicken soup (any cream-based soup actually).
The cream can separate after being frozen and when reheated the soup is not as creamy as when originally made (it can be eaten but often doesn’t have the same original consistency).
How to Freeze Chicken Soup:
Allow the soup to cool slightly.
Pour into a freezer-safe container (like these quart freezer containers for soup) leaving 1-inch ‘headspace’ in the jar (space between the top of the soup and the top of the jar for expansion when freezing).
Note on ‘headspace’: some space needs to be allowed in the freezing container for expansion.
Enough for the soup’s expansion without forcing open the container but not so much that ice crystals will form and change the flavor of the soup.
Easy Chicken Soup Recipes
Whether you prefer simple chicken soup or something with a spicy punch, these recipes offer a delicious collection of options for every way of cooking!
The basic Easy Chicken Soup recipe at the bottom of the page is perfect for a simple comforting soup or as a base to layer on additional ingredients and seasonings.
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup
Shredded chicken, tomatoes, corn are only some of the delicious ingredients in this slow cooker soup!
Finished with taco toppings making it perfect for a party!
Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup
This delicious chicken soup cooks quickly and easily in the Instant Pot.
Everything you love about easy chicken soup is in this recipe along with flavors of ginger, jalapeno and a tang from apple cider vinegar!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
The classic restaurant soup is easy to make at home!
Brimming with loads of chicken, Mexican spices, corn, tomatoes and more. Ready in 30 minutes.
Great option for leftover turkey too! Just swap it for the chicken.
War-On-A-Cold Homemade Chicken Soup
This easy chicken soup recipe includes some immune boosting ingredients to pump up the flavor AND the benefits of chicken soup for a cold.
It’s a staple in my kitchen whenever the first signs of a cold appear.
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Coconut Mushroom Soup
Fresh, citrusy and bright describe this fragrant Thai-influenced chicken soup.
Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and coconut milk are just the start!
Skinny Chicken and Sweet Potato Noodle Soup
Love noodled in chicken soup but not the carbs? Spiralized sweet potato noodles step up in this recipe for noodle satisfaction with a healthy twist!
Purchased spiralized squash noodles can be substituted for making them yourself for even more time saving!
Instant Pot Chicken Taco soup
Favorite Mexican flavors combine easily in the Instant Pot to create this Chicken Taco Soup.
Spicy seasonings in a tomato-based broth make for a hearty soup with fresh toppings.
Spicy Farmhouse Chicken and Pasta Soup
Loads of vegetables, chicken, potatoes and pasta make this hearty soup a favorite. Regular or gluten-free pasta may be used!
Jalapeno Corn Chicken Chowder
If you love a chunky chowder with some spice, this Jalapeno Corn Chicken Chowder is for you!
Mouthwatering ingredients combined in an irresistible soup that’s always a favorite.
Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Chowder
This easy chowder recipe combines chunky ingredients of potato, corn and chicken in a spicy pumpkin broth (it is not overly pumpkin-y tasting).
It simmers away in the slow cooker making easy work of a filling meal.
Easy Chicken Soup Recipe
A basic easy chicken soup recipe is great to have in one’s recipe collection. I love this simple recipe for multiple reasons:
- It’s a perfect simple soup or as a base to add more ingredients and seasonings
- Thanks to some short-cuts, it cooks in less than an hour
Built In Time Saving Short-Cuts
Easy short-cuts give this soup great flavor in less time!
- Preparing all the vegetables in a food processor or mini chopper saves time with manual chopping or slicing
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth gives a boost of flavor so the easy chicken soup does not need to cook for hours for great flavor
- Using boneless chicken breasts instead of a chicken carcass, saves time straining the bones
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Easy Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 4 stalks Celery scrubbed with ends trimmed
- 3 Carrots scrubbed and top removed
- 1 medium Onion
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 large boneless skinless Chicken Breasts chopped*
- 2 1-quart containers Low-Sodium Chicken Stock
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the carrots, celery and onion into a food processor or mini chopper and chop into small bits.
- In a stock pot, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the vegetables from the food processor and sauté 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add the chicken, the chicken broth and the water. Bring to a boil then lower heat bringing soup to a simmer.
- Simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
Nutrition
Everyone loves easy chicken soup recipes and a new favorite is surely on this list!
Autumn Murray says
Love this as I am at home suffering from a cold and wanted to try to make a different chicken soup than I normally would make. Thank you.
Toni Dash says
Oh no! So sorry to hear that. Chicken soup is like a hug in a bowl❤️ Feel better!
Jennifer Prince says
Yum! I love comfort foods like this. A nice warm bowl of chicken soup can really soothe the soul! 🙂
Emmanuel Damian says
I love SLOW COOKER MEXICAN CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP! It’s my comfort food during sick days. Also, it gives a kick of flavor!
Heather Barber McMechan says
I’ve never thought to freeze chicken soup before. I bet it does come in handy during the cooler months.