Name: Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 carrots, peeled and sliced; 3 celery stalks, sliced; 1 zucchini, diced; 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped; 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice); 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale; juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)

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This Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is everything you could want in a hearty, nourishing bowl: it’s vibrant, cozy, and bursting with layers of texture and flavor from a bounty of fresh veggies and tender chicken. Whether you’re chasing away a chill, looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner, or prepping for easy lunches, this soup ticks all the boxes—light and wholesome yet wonderfully filling. Every spoonful delivers comfort and brightness, making it the kind of recipe you’ll lean on time and again.

Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You probably have most of these simple, crave-worthy ingredients in your kitchen already! Each one is chosen for its role in building up flavor, adding nutrition, and creating that gorgeous spectrum of colors and textures that make this soup so inviting.

Chicken breasts or thighs: Go for boneless, skinless cuts—they add lean, juicy protein and become perfectly tender as they simmer.
Olive oil: Just a bit gives your soup a silky base and helps those veggies soften to perfection.
Onion: Diced onion adds sweetness and depth, making the aroma irresistible from the get-go.
Garlic: Just two cloves will infuse the broth with robust, mouthwatering flavor.
Carrots: These bring a pop of color and subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements.
Celery: Classic soup ingredient that lends a satisfying crunch and herbal note.
Zucchini: Diced zucchini soaks up flavor and gives the soup a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Green beans: Fresh, crisp, and vibrant; they round out the veggie lineup beautifully.
Diced tomatoes (with juice): These provide tanginess and body, creating a light but flavorful broth.
Low-sodium chicken broth: The nourishing backdrop that ties everything together—choose low-sodium to control seasoning.
Dried thyme: Just a teaspoon is all you need for that beautiful earthy aroma.
Dried basil: This adds a hint of springtime herbaceousness.
Salt and black pepper: Let these bring out the best in every ingredient.
Fresh spinach or kale: Stirred in at the end, these greens boost nutrition and color.
Lemon juice (optional): A little squeeze before serving gives the whole bowl a zesty lift.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by heating the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 to 6 minutes until the veggies just begin to soften and grow fragrant. This step draws out their natural sweetness and builds the flavorful base your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe needs.

Step 2: Add Garlic

Sprinkle in the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Keep a close eye here—you’re looking for that mouthwatering aroma without letting the garlic brown. It’s a tiny step, but it kicks up the savoriness in a big way!

Step 3: Build the Broth and Simmer the Chicken

Now comes the satisfying part: adding the chicken, diced tomatoes (juice and all), chicken broth, thyme, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything to combine, crank up the heat to bring it to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and begging to be shredded for your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe.

Step 4: Shred and Return the Chicken

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces—this only takes a minute or two, but it makes every spoonful of soup more enjoyable. Pop the shredded chicken back into the pot and give it all a good stir.

Step 5: Add the Remaining Veggies

Add the diced zucchini, chopped green beans, and spinach (or kale) into the pot. Let the soup simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes. You want the vegetables tender but still brightly colored and not mushy, so keep an eye as they cook and adjust the timing to your taste.

Step 6: Finish With Lemon Juice (Optional)

Right before serving, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon if you’re craving some extra brightness. It’s such a simple touch but really wakes up all the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning before ladling out your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe into bowls.

How to Serve Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touches can make your bowl feel extra special. Try freshly chopped parsley, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan (if you’re not keeping it dairy-free), or a crack of black pepper on top. For extra color and crunch, add a few sliced green onions or even a handful of microgreens.

Side Dishes

This soup is perfectly delicious and filling on its own, but a slice of toasted whole-grain bread or a side of crisp crackers works wonders for dunking. If you’re in the mood, serve it alongside a simple mixed green salad or a baked sweet potato for a more rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to serve this Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is in oversized mugs or colorful, wide bowls—perfect for cupping in your hands on a chilly day. For a family-style approach, bring the pot straight to the table and let everyone help themselves. At lunch parties, try serving in shot glasses or mini mugs for a chic appetizer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After everyone’s had their fill, let leftovers cool completely before transferring them into airtight containers. Your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, which means lunch or easy dinners are just a quick reheat away!

Freezing

This soup is a meal prep superstar. Cool it down and store it in freezer-friendly containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze without the spinach or kale and stir those in fresh while reheating.

Reheating

To bring your soup back to its steamy, comforting glory, reheat gently over medium heat on the stove until hot. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. A splash of broth or water will revive any thickened soup and keep your Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe as brothy as you like.

FAQs

Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry, simply shred rotisserie chicken and add it during the last 10 minutes of simmering. You’ll cut down on cooking time but still end up with a bowl full of rich flavor from the veggies and broth.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

It’s easy to swap out the chicken for beans (like cannellini or chickpeas), use vegetable broth, and pile in extra veggies like sweet potatoes or corn. You’ll still enjoy all the comfort and color of the Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe, minus the meat.

Can I use other vegetables?

Totally—this recipe is endlessly adaptable. Peas, corn, red bell pepper, or even diced sweet potato are all delicious additions or swaps depending on what you have on hand or what’s in season.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this is one of the best meal prep soups out there! The Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe keeps well, freezes like a dream, and reheats with all the original freshness, making your week’s lunches or dinners super easy.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Of course. Simply add all ingredients (wait to add the spinach or kale until the last 30 minutes) to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. Shred the chicken and stir in the greens before serving.

Final Thoughts

When you’re craving something that feels good and tastes even better, this Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is exactly what to make. It’s simple, colorful, and loaded with goodness in every bite. I hope you’ll give it a try and let it warm both your kitchen and your table!

Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for any day of the week. Packed with lean protein, plenty of veggies, and flavorful herbs, it’s a satisfying dish that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Vegetable Soup:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
1 zucchini, diced
1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale
juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)

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Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until they begin to soften.
Add Chicken and Broth: Stir in garlic, chicken, tomatoes, broth, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer until chicken is cooked through.
Finish the Soup: Shred the chicken, return it to the pot, and add zucchini, green beans, and spinach. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Add lemon juice before serving.