Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup
A hearty chicken vegetable soup packed with tender vegetables, rice or pasta, and flavorful herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or nourishing lunches.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh green beans ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 (No. 2) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 6 carrots, peeled and diced ⓘ
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 head chopped cabbage ⓘ
- 1.5 cups cooked chicken breasts, cubed ⓘ
- 1 cup cooked rice or pasta ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 8 cups basic chicken broth ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut green beans diagonally into thirds.
- Toss the green beans with lemon juice and steam until tender.
- Combine tomatoes, chopped onion, peeled and diced carrots, diced celery, and pepper in a stockpot with 8 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 2 hours or until vegetables are tender.
- Add steamed green beans and chopped cabbage to the soup, simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add cooked chicken breasts and cooked rice or pasta to the soup.
- Heat the soup until warmed through.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or thyme while simmering the broth. If you don’t have fresh green beans, frozen ones work well too. You can substitute cabbage with kale or spinach for a different texture. For added protein, try using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooked chicken breasts.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty chicken vegetable soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken And Mushrooms(Can Be Made Up To 24 Hours In Advance) for a cozy dinner. For a touch of freshness, add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If the soup thickens, add a bit of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup contains roughly 710 calories, with 27g protein, 141g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (90% of the Daily Value), protein (54% of the Daily Value), and iron (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1724mg per serving (75% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables in the soup?
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. You can add vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or peas based on your preference or seasonal availability. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly for any additional vegetables.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients except the green beans, chicken, and rice or pasta to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, then stir in the remaining ingredients about 30 minutes before serving.
How can I make this soup gluten-free?
To make this soup gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or rice instead of regular pasta. Additionally, ensure that the chicken broth is labeled gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy a hearty and comforting dish without any gluten concerns.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).