Easy Homemade Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Get ready for a bowl of pure comfort! This chicken vegetable soup recipe is a heartwarming, healthy meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with nourishing ingredients, and wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have on hand. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly, making meal prep a breeze for busy families.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Vegetable Soup

You’ll adore this homemade chicken vegetable soup recipe for so many fantastic reasons.

• Deep Flavor: Searing the chicken first creates incredible depth, building a rich base for the entire soup.
• Tender Chicken: Your chicken will be perfectly tender and juicy, never dry, thanks to simmering directly in the broth. Understanding how to prevent dry chicken is key to a delicious meal.
• Nutrient-Packed: This soup overflows with vibrant, healthy vegetables, offering a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals in every bite.
• Customizable: Easily swap vegetables or add grains to make this soup uniquely yours, catering to all tastes.
• Meal Prep King: It’s ideal for batch cooking and freezes beautifully, ensuring you always have a comforting meal ready.
• Ultimate Comfort: This hearty, warm soup is the quintessential family meal, bringing warmth and satisfaction to the table.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ¼ lbs. chicken (see notes)
• Salt/Pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• ¾ cup carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 7 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn/green beans)

For Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon EACH: Dried basil, oregano, mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Notes & Substitutions

For the chicken, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. A shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully for an even quicker preparation; just skip the searing step and add it in with the broth. Fresh or frozen mixed vegetables are both excellent choices for this hearty chicken vegetable soup. The hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce aren’t just for heat; they add a subtle layer of umami and complexity that truly enhances the flavor profile. For an extra boost of savory goodness, consider adding a Parmesan rind to the broth while it simmers, removing it before serving. Feel free to experiment with other dried herbs like thyme or a touch of smoked paprika for different flavor dimensions.

Equipment

You don’t need fancy tools to make this delightful soup. A sturdy Dutch oven or a large soup pot (4.5-quart or larger) is essential for simmering everything together. You will also need a silicone spatula for deglazing and stirring. Don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient portions. A cutting board and a sharp knife complete your kitchen setup.

Instructions

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a 4.5-quart soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden crust develops. Don’t worry if the middle isn’t cooked through; it will finish cooking in the soup later.

Remove the seared chicken from the pot and set it aside to rest for 10 minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Once rested, you can dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat. Use your silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the pot, scraping up all those delicious brown bits, or “fond.” This fond is packed with flavor and will dissolve into the broth, significantly enhancing your chicken vegetable soup.

Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté these aromatic vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Stir in the minced garlic, hot sauce (if using), Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, basil, oregano, mustard powder, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.

Pour in the 7 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Return the diced or shredded chicken to the soup, along with any juices that accumulated on its plate. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to finish cooking.

Finally, add the frozen mixed vegetables (corn and green beans) to the pot. Cover the pot partially and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve your comforting chicken vegetable soup hot and enjoy immediately!

Crock Pot Instructions

To make this versatile chicken vegetable soup recipe in a slow cooker, simply add all ingredients (seared chicken, vegetables, seasonings, broth) to your crock pot. You can still opt to sear the chicken and sauté the aromatics in a skillet first for deeper flavor before transferring them, though this step is optional. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Shred the chicken before serving if you used whole pieces.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Searing the chicken is a critical step; it locks in moisture and creates a caramelized crust that adds tremendous depth to your chicken vegetable soup. Never skip it! To prevent mushy vegetables, add the faster-cooking ones, like frozen mixed veggies, towards the end of the simmer time. Always adjust seasoning to your personal taste before serving; a little extra salt or pepper can make a big difference. For an even brighter flavor, finish your soup with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill just before serving. When shredding or dicing chicken, ensure it’s cooled slightly to avoid burning your hands. If your soup seems too thick, simply add extra broth a quarter cup at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Serving Ideas

Serve your hearty chicken and vegetable soup with a warm, crusty bread for dipping, soaking up every last bit of flavorful broth. A side of crackers or a light side salad makes for a complete and satisfying meal. Garnish individual bowls with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, cilantro, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for extra freshness and flavor.

Variations

• Add Grains/Pasta: Incorporate heartiness by stirring in cooked tortellini, short-grain rice, or small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni. Cook pasta or rice separately to prevent it from absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy. Add cooked grains or pasta to individual bowls just before serving.
• Add More Vegetables: Boost the veggie content with diced potatoes for extra heartiness; add them with the broth to ensure they cook through. Incorporate leafy greens like spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of simmering. Cubed butternut squash, peas, or corn kernels are also delicious additions, added with the frozen vegetables.
• Make it Creamy: For a richer, creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or even a swirl of coconut milk (for a dairy-free option) at the very end of cooking.

Storage & Freezing

This fantastic homemade soup is excellent for meal prep. Store any leftover chicken vegetable soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, or gently reheat from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating, as some liquid might evaporate or be absorbed. If you plan to freeze the soup, it’s best to do so without any pasta or rice, as these can become mushy upon thawing and reheating.

Nutrition Information

This comforting chicken vegetable soup recipe is a healthy choice, packed with lean protein and fiber. These estimated nutritional facts are per serving, based on 9.9 cups total yield. As highlighted in various studies, vegetable soups offer numerous health benefits, providing valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving (Estimated)
Calories	230
Protein	25g
Carbohydrates	18g
Fat	8g

FAQ

Conclusion

This easy homemade chicken vegetable soup recipe truly delivers on flavor, comfort, and nutrition. It’s a versatile dish that warms you from the inside out, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekends. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a busy parent, this simple recipe makes a wholesome meal accessible to everyone. We encourage you to try it tonight and discover your new favorite go-to soup! If you love this recipe, please rate it and share your delightful creations.