11 Amazing Soup Recipes With Chicken For Any Night

Q: What type of soup can you make with chicken?

Chicken is incredibly versatile for soups, making it a perfect base for countless recipes. You can make classic broth-based soups like Chicken Noodle or Chicken Vegetable, rich and creamy versions like Creamy Tuscan or Chicken Pot Pie soup, and zesty, globally-inspired recipes like Chicken Tortilla or Lemon Chicken Orzo soup. The possibilities are nearly endless, catering to almost any flavor preference.

Q: Can I put raw chicken in my soup?

Yes, absolutely. Adding raw chicken directly to your soup is a great way to cook it. Simply place the chicken pieces (whole breasts or thighs work best) into the simmering broth and let them cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This method not only cooks the chicken perfectly but also enriches the flavor of your broth at the same time.

Q: How do you make chicken soup from scratch more flavorful?

To boost flavor, start by sautéing your vegetables in butter or oil instead of just boiling them. Use a high-quality chicken broth or stock as your base, as this is the soul of the soup. During the simmering stage, don't forget to add a bay leaf and dried herbs like thyme. Finally, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a handful of fresh parsley stirred in at the very end will brighten all the other flavors.

Craving that soul-warming bowl of goodness that only homemade chicken soup can provide? There’s something magical about a simmering pot of chicken soup on the stove. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a go-to meal for chilly nights, and a nourishing remedy when you’re feeling under the weather. Yet, finding a recipe that’s both simple enough for a busy weeknight and packed with incredible flavor can feel like a challenge.

You might be tired of bland, watery soups or complicated recipes with a laundry list of ingredients. You’re looking for reliable, delicious, and easy soup recipes with chicken that you can turn to again and again. You want a meal that feels special without spending hours in the kitchen, something your whole family will love.

The solution is easier than you think. Chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food, renowned for its nourishing qualities and incredible versatility. Whether you prefer a classic noodle soup, a rich and creamy Tuscan-style broth, or a zesty tortilla soup, there’s a simple and delicious recipe perfect for any weeknight dinner. We’ve gathered and tested the best-of-the-best chicken soup recipes, focusing on simple steps and incredible flavor, so you can find a guaranteed winner for your dinner table.

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Craving a Comforting Meal? Discover Your New Favorite Chicken Soup

There’s a reason chicken soup is a global staple for comfort and nourishment. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a feeling of warmth, care, and home. From the classic chicken noodle that reminds you of childhood to exciting new variations bursting with zesty or creamy flavors, the humble chicken soup is a culinary chameleon. This curated list of 11 diverse, easy-to-follow recipes is designed to cater to every taste and skill level. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, you’re about to find your new favorite weeknight dinner.

The Foundation of Flavor: What Makes a Great Chicken Soup?

The secret to an amazing chicken soup is that the best chicken soups build flavor in layers. You don’t need complicated techniques, just a focus on quality ingredients and a few key steps. Before you start cooking, understanding these foundational elements will transform your soup from good to unforgettable. Sautéing aromatics, using quality broth, and adding fresh herbs are game-changers.

The Mirepoix Base: This classic French trio of onion, carrots, and celery is the aromatic foundation of most great soups. Sautéing them in oil or butter until softened releases their natural sweetness and builds a deep, savory base that canned soup just can’t replicate.
The Chicken: You have options! Starting with raw chicken breasts or thighs and simmering them in the broth will create a richer, more flavorful soup. For a super-fast shortcut, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is your best friend.
The Broth: While homemade chicken stock is liquid gold, a high-quality store-bought chicken broth or stock works wonderfully. This is the body of your soup, so choose one with a good flavor.
The Herbs & Spices: A bay leaf, some dried thyme, salt, and pepper are the essential backbone seasonings. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill stirred in at the end add a burst of freshness.
The Finishing Touch: Never underestimate the power of a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It doesn’t make the soup taste like lemon; it just brightens and enhances all the other flavors, making the entire dish pop.

11 Amazing Soup Recipes with Chicken for Any Night

Get ready to find your next go-to dinner. This collection features our most requested and highly-rated chicken soup recipes, each one perfected to ensure delicious results every time. We’ve included everything from timeless classics to viral sensations, with options for quick weeknight meals, slow-cooked comforts, and healthy, veggie-packed bowls. Each recipe includes clear instructions, pro tips, and a shareable image perfect for Pinterest.

The Ultimate Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup
Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup
Zesty Chicken Tortilla Soup
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Bright Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Comforting Chicken and Potato Soup
Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup
15-Minute Rotisserie Chicken Soup
Viral “Marry Me” Chicken Soup
Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Soup

1. The Ultimate Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, chicken breasts, dried thyme, bay leaf, wide egg noodles, fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Instructions:
1. Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot with olive oil until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken broth. Add the whole chicken breasts, thyme, and a bay leaf. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Shred it using two forks and then return the shredded meat to the soup.
4. Stir in the wide egg noodles and cook according to package directions, until they are perfectly al dente.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaf, and stir in a generous amount of fresh parsley and a final squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Pro-Tip: Cook your noodles separately and add them to each bowl just before serving. This prevents them from getting mushy and soaking up all the broth in the leftover soup.

“Pin this classic comfort recipe for a rainy day!”

2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, diced chicken breast, onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, fresh spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and brown the diced chicken breast. Once cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning, cooking for another minute.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the soup is smooth and creamy.
5. Add the cooked chicken and fresh spinach back to the pot. Stir gently until the spinach has wilted completely. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Lesson Learned: For the best flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and add a tablespoon of that flavorful oil to the pot when sautéing the onions. It adds an incredible depth you won’t get otherwise.

“Save this restaurant-worthy recipe to your ‘Dinner Ideas’ board!”

3. Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, diced chicken breast, potatoes, green beans, corn, peas, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot with olive oil. Once they begin to soften, add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken broth. Add diced potatoes, diced chicken breast, dried oregano, and dried basil. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
3. Stir in the green beans, corn, and peas. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, just until the frozen vegetables are heated through.
4. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste before serving this healthy and filling soup.

Pro-Tip: Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand! Zucchini, bell peppers, or even cabbage work wonderfully in this versatile soup. It’s a perfect recipe for cleaning out the crisper drawer.

“Looking for a healthy dinner? Pin this veggie-packed soup!”

4. Zesty Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, onion, garlic, jalapeño, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!). Toppings: crispy tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, shredded cheese, lime wedges.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, and finely diced jalapeño in olive oil until soft.
2. Stir in the chili powder and cumin, and cook for one minute to toast the spices and deepen their flavor.
3. Add the chicken broth, a can of diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed black beans, and corn. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to meld.
4. Stir in the pre-cooked shredded chicken and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Let it heat through.
5. Serve hot, and set up a toppings bar so everyone can customize their own bowl with tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro.

Pro-Tip: For the best flavor, toast your cumin and chili powder in the dry pot for 30 seconds before adding the oil and onions. It really wakes up the spices and gives the soup an authentic, deep flavor.

“Add some spice to your week! Pin this tortilla soup recipe now.”

5. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients: Butter, onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, garlic, flour, chicken broth, wild rice blend, cooked shredded chicken, heavy cream, fresh thyme, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. Cook your wild rice blend according to the package directions. Set it aside once done.
2. In a large pot, melt butter and sauté the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and sliced mushrooms until they are tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook until it has slightly thickened.
5. Stir in the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, heavy cream, and fresh thyme. Gently heat through, but do not allow it to boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Lesson Learned: To prevent the cream from curdling, make sure the soup is at a low simmer, not a rolling boil, when you stir it in at the end. Gentle heat is key for a silky smooth texture.

“Pin this cozy recipe for the ultimate comfort food night!”

6. Bright Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, shredded cooked chicken, orzo pasta, fresh dill, fresh parsley, large eggs, lemon juice.
Instructions:
1. In a pot, sauté the chopped onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Add the orzo pasta and cook until it is al dente.
3. Stir in the shredded chicken, fresh dill, and fresh parsley. Keep the soup at a very low simmer.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and fresh lemon juice together vigorously until frothy.
5. Slowly temper the egg mixture. To do this, whisk a ladleful of the hot broth into the egg bowl, pouring very slowly while whisking constantly.
6. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the soup pot, stirring constantly. Cook for just 1-2 minutes until the soup has slightly thickened. Do not let it boil.

Pro-Tip: Tempering the eggs is the key to a creamy, silky soup without curdling. Pour the hot broth into the eggs very slowly while whisking non-stop. This gently raises their temperature, preventing them from scrambling.

“Love lemon? You have to pin this bright and zesty soup recipe!”

7. Comforting Chicken and Potato Soup

Ingredients: Bacon, onion, celery, garlic, flour, chicken broth, milk or cream, Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and diced), cooked chicken (diced), cheddar cheese, salt, pepper. Optional toppings: green onions, extra bacon.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, cook chopped bacon until it’s crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, crumble it, and set it aside. Leave the rendered bacon drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté the chopped onion and celery in the bacon drippings until tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.
3. Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables. Then, gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk until the mixture is smooth.
4. Add the diced potatoes and bring the soup to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.
5. For a thicker consistency, use the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
6. Stir in the cooked chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the crumbled bacon. Heat gently until the cheese is completely melted. Season to taste. Serve hot, topped with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions.

Pro-Tip: Using waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold helps them hold their shape better than starchy potatoes like Russets, which can fall apart and make the soup grainy.

“Pin the ultimate comfort bowl! This chicken potato soup is a must-try.”

8. Easy Crockpot Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, pepper. Egg noodles and fresh parsley for finishing.
Instructions:
1. Place the raw chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top them with chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.
2. Pour the chicken broth over everything in the pot. Add the bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
4. Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return the shredded meat to the crockpot.
5. Stir in the uncooked egg noodles and cook on the HIGH setting for another 20-30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
6. Remove the bay leaf and stir in fresh parsley just before serving.

Lesson Learned: To avoid mushy vegetables, you can add them halfway through the cooking time if you’re home. If not, cutting them into larger chunks helps them hold up better over the long cooking time.

“Save this time-saving recipe for your busiest weeknights!”

9. 15-Minute Rotisserie Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Olive oil, pre-chopped mirepoix (onion, carrots, celery), minced garlic, high-quality chicken broth, shredded rotisserie chicken, quick-cook pasta or rice, dried herbs (thyme, oregano), salt, pepper, fresh parsley.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté the pre-chopped mirepoix mix for 5 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the dried herbs. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3. Stir in the quick-cook pasta or rice and cook for half of its recommended package time.
4. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and continue cooking just until the pasta is perfectly al dente.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in fresh parsley right at the end to finish.

Pro-Tip: Buy an extra rotisserie chicken during your weekly grocery run. Shred the meat and freeze it in 2-cup portions, perfect for throwing into this soup on a moment’s notice.

“Need dinner in a flash? Pin this 15-minute miracle recipe!”

10. Viral “Marry Me” Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Butter, diced chicken breast, onion, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. Season the diced chicken generously with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces. Remove the chicken and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, using a spoon to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer gently until the soup has thickened.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat. Season to taste before serving.

Lesson Learned: The key to the ‘Marry Me’ flavor profile is the combination of rich cream, salty Parmesan, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Don’t skimp on these key ingredients for the most indulgent result!

“Find out why everyone’s obsessed! Pin this unforgettable soup recipe.”

11. Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Ingredients: Butter, onion, carrots, celery, flour, chicken broth, milk or heavy cream, cooked diced chicken, frozen peas, corn, fresh thyme, salt, pepper. Optional for topping: puff pastry crackers or biscuits.
Instructions:
1. Melt butter in a large pot. Sauté the chopped onion, carrots, and celery until they are tender.
2. Sprinkle flour over the cooked vegetables and cook for one minute, stirring to combine.
3. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk until the mixture is completely smooth and begins to thicken.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken, frozen peas, corn, and fresh thyme.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld and the soup to become thick and creamy. Season well with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot, topped with a warm biscuit or puff pastry cracker for that full pot pie experience.

Pro-Tip: For a quick and impressive topping, cut a sheet of store-bought puff pastry into squares, brush them with egg wash, and bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown. It perfectly mimics the crust of a real pot pie.

“Get all the flavor of pot pie with half the work. Pin this recipe!”

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Chicken Soup

Remember these core principles, and you’ll be able to whip up a delicious bowl of chicken soup anytime.

Start with a Flavor Base: Always begin by sautéing aromatics like onion, carrots, and celery (mirepoix) to build deep flavor from the very beginning.
Choose Your Chicken: Use whatever you have! Raw chicken breasts or thighs will enrich the broth as they cook, while leftover rotisserie chicken is the perfect shortcut for quick meals.
Don’t Overcook Noodles: To avoid mushy pasta, cook noodles separately and add them to individual bowls just before serving, especially if you plan on having leftovers.
Brighten at the End: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs (like parsley or dill) added just before serving can elevate the entire soup and make the flavors sing.
Freeze for Later: Most of these soups (especially broth-based ones) freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, making them perfect for meal prep on a Sunday afternoon.

Final Thoughts

With so many delicious options, the hardest part is choosing which soup to make first. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and comforting, rich and creamy, or bright and zesty, there’s a chicken soup recipe here waiting for you. We hope you found a new favorite to add to your rotation and bring a little more warmth to your dinner table.

What’s your go-to chicken soup recipe? Let us know in the comments below