Easy Chicken Soup Recipes

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The cream can separate after being frozen and when reheated the soup is not as creamy as when originally made (it can be eaten but often doesn’t have the same original consistency).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!

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup is chock full of black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, shredded chicken and rice in a spicy broth. It's sure to take the sting out of a winter day or feed a crowd with no fuss.

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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!

Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup

Making Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup with a few tricks makes it effortless. Freeze any excess in a freezer-safe container leaving an inch at the top for expansion when frozen.

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup is a perfect cold weather recipe with robust, spicy flavors, simple and quick to prepare. Using canned ingredients makes the preparation go quickly. If desired you can swap for the fresh equivalent of any of the canned ingredients. Swap leftover turkey for the chicken to make a perfect holiday leftovers recipes!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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.

Homemade Chicken Soup

Homemade Chicken Soup is simple to prepare with natural whole ingredients. Great to keep in the freezer for those times you don't feel like making a batch!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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!

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Mushroom Coconut Soup

Thai food bears signature flavors that are fresh, citrusy and bright. This Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Mushroom Coconut soup is no exception. The fragrant broth is satisfying with added chicken, mushrooms and jalapeno slices for body. Lemongrass and Kaffir lime leaves are two key ingredients to build the flavor of the soup. They usually may be found in the herb section of well-stocked grocery stores like Whole Foods, or in Asian dedicated grocery stores.

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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!

Skinny Chicken and Sweet Potato Noodle Soup

A light, soul-warming soup easily prepared in less than 45 minutes. A savory from-scratch broth is pumped up with garlic and ginger, chunks of prepared chicken and spiralized sweet potato noodles replace starchy egg noodles for a colorful, healthier update! 

Stove top and Instant Pot instructions included.

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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.

Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup

This hearty soup is packed with chicken and vegetables for a spicy, satisfying fast meal!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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!

Spicy Farmhouse Chicken and Pasta Soup with Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

This hearty, fresh vegetable chicken and pasta soup is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. It is full of flavor, great texture and color making it irresistible. Paired with mini grilled cheese sandwiches for an unexpected spin on traditional comfort food. Seasoning may change depending on the base used for the soup. Be sure to taste test along the way and adjust for your preference.

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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.

Jalapeno Corn Chicken Chowder

The beauty of this soup recipe, in addition to its few ingredients and wonderful mix of sweet and spicy flavors, is the ease of preparation.  The handful of ingredient don't take much preparation.  The corn is frozen and does not need to be pre-thawed (is will thaw as the soup heats).  So the entire recipe can be whipped up in a flash!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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.

Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Corn Chowder

Traditional chicken corn chowder is made exciting with chipotle pepper, adobo sauce and some cream pumpkin puree!

CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

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

This simple chicken soup recipe is great for a soothing sipper or as a base for adding more ingredients.

5 from 21 votes

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy chicken soup recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 33kcal

Author: Toni Dash

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

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3910IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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Everyone loves easy chicken soup recipes and a new favorite is surely on this list!