Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable)
Enjoy a comforting, hearty soup filled with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Ideal for any time.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, diced
05 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
06 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
07 - 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Broth and Seasonings
09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
→ Optional Garnish
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, for serving
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - Add a little more oil to the pot if needed, then add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
04 - Add the cubed potatoes, green beans, corn, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and salt to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
06 - Return the cooked chicken to the pot and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, ensuring it is heated through.
07 - Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
08 - Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired, before serving immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It&squot;s incredibly versatile; you can throw in almost any vegetable you have on hand and it just works.
- This soup is a master at turning a regular weeknight into a cozy, comforting experience, making everyone feel nourished and loved.
02 -
- Always sauté your aromatics (onion, carrot, celery) gently until truly softened; rushing this step means missing out on a huge layer of flavor.
- Don&squot;t be afraid to taste and adjust the seasoning repeatedly, especially with salt and pepper; broth can vary wildly in sodium content.
03 -
- Sautéing the chicken separately and adding it back at the end keeps it tender and prevents it from overcooking and becoming rubbery.
- For an extra layer of richness and depth, a splash of white wine can be deglazed after sautéing the aromatics, just before adding the broth.