30 Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Pure Comfort in a Bowl (2024)

Chicken soup is synonymous with comfort, nourishment, and warmth; serving a steaming bowl is a simple act of care, whether it's for yourself, your family, a friend, or a neighbor. Chicken noodle soup is a much-loved classic, and there are so many more ways to prepare chicken and broth! These chicken soup recipes offer inspiration for your old favorite. Try Kwame Onwuachi's Puerto Rican pollo guisado; Josh Reisner's adobo-ramen mash-up; Leah Koenig's vibrant, fresh take on chicken matzo ball soup; and more.

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Chicken Soup with Ginger and Cilantro

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This seasonal version of a classic is loaded with summer market finds like tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers. Quick-cooking boneless chicken pieces are gently simmered in a ginger and cilantro-infused broth with a dash of soy sauce. The eye-catching garnish tray doubles as a colorful centerpiece, allowing guests to pile their bowls with aromatic fresh herbs, spicy chiles, and juicy citrus.

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Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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This creamy chicken and wild rice soup makes use of leftover chicken and comes together in just 20 minutes of active cooking time. It's a great one-bowl meal for busy nights.

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Chicken Pho

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The Vietnamese chicken and noodle soup called pho is all about layers of flavor in the rich-tasting broth. The technique here also produces meat that’s supremely tender and delicious.

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Herb Garden Matzo Ball Soup

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Chicken matzo ball soup gets a glow-up in this version by cookbook author Leah Koenig, with fresh parsley, dill, chives, and fennel fronds in the matzo balls themselves, plus more herbs, lemon zest, and edible flowers adding color and bright, spring flavors to each finished bowl of soup.

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Pollo Guisado

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"The soup allabuelitasmake their grandchildren, cookinga ojo, or by feel, with a million variations," says chef Kwame Onwuachi of this recipe. "The soup is a festival of comfort. At its base are the annatto and sofrito that define much of Puerto Rican cuisine, plus a touch of cumin and, because it's me who's making it, a bit of house spice to give just the merest hint of heat."

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Chicken Tortellini Soup with Kale

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Fresh ingredients team up with store-bought shortcuts to get this comforting dinner on the table in just over 30 minutes. Frozen cheese tortellini only need a five-minute dip in the simmering broth to cook up perfectly. Don’t be tempted to just dump the whole can of tomatoes into the pot; draining them first concentrates the flavor.

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07of 30

Chicken Adobo-Inspired Ramen

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For this adobo-inspired ramen recipe, chef Josh Reisner starts by braising chicken legs with black pepper, bay leaves, vinegar, and soy sauce — the key ingredients of Filipino adobo. He then infuses the ramen broth with the deeply flavored braising sauce that forms as the chicken cooks. Each bowl of ramen is topped with a piece of succulent chicken, as well as blanched spinach, scallion "nests," grilled corn, and more.

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Chicken and Shrimp Laksa

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Top Chefwinner Buddha Lo's homemade laksa paste — made with fresh lemongrass, pungent shrimp paste, and nutty peanuts — forms the base of this fragrant noodle dish, while coconut cream adds a velvety mouthfeel to the aromatic broth. Top it with poached shrimp and chicken, fresh herbs, and fried shallots, then slurp with joy.

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Chicken Pozole Verde

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There are many variations on pozole, a traditional hominy-based Mexican stew closely associated with the Pacific-coast state of Guerrero. Culinary writer Anya von Bremzen’s version, a green pozole, derives much of its flavor from tangy ingredients like tomatillos, cilantro, and green chiles.

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Croutons

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This creamy, soul-warming soup from the legendary Ina Garten's cookbookModern Comfort Food captures everything there is to love about chicken pot pie. Plenty of aromatic vegetables, a rich, silky broth spiked with tarragon and cream sherry, and tender chicken deliver pure comfort in every spoonful. The flaky, buttery puff pastry croutons (made from store-bought dough!) are an irresistible finishing touch.

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Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Rice

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Avgolemono is a classic sauce of chicken broth, egg yolks, and lemon juice; the addition of a bit more broth, rice, and shredded chicken turns it into a satisfying soup.

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Leftover Chicken Soup

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Chef Marcus Samuelsson's chicken soup is fragrant with ginger, star anise, and lemongrass, just what you need on a chilly night. He uses the whole bird — from the bones to the skin and the livers — to make a delicious no-waste soup.

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Kubba Hamuth (Sweet and Sour Soup with Stuffed Dumplings)

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This Iraqi-Jewish soup is tangy and rich with lemon juice, beets, and chicken dumplings. Many Iraqi-Jewish recipes call for semolina for the dumpling dough, but here we use rice.

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Herbal Chicken Bone Broth with Soba Noodles

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Fresh soba noodles, hearty vegetables, and replenishing herbs come together in a soothing chicken bone broth. Look for soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat for the best flavor. If you cannot find Shaoxing wine, use sake orsojuas a substitution — or omit this ingredient if you are avoiding alcohol.

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Stracciatella

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Stracciatella is the Italian version of egg drop soup. This tasty one from chef Hugh Acheson includes shredded chicken, spinach, basil, peas, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and of course, eggs.

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Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

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This classic chicken noodle soup gets its deeply flavorful broth from a whole chicken.

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Chicken Soup with Jasmine Rice and Ginger

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There may not be any clinical proof that ginger helps fight colds or the flu, but this super-easy, gingery chicken soup will undeniably make you feel better.

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Creamy Piquillo Pepper and Chickpea Soup with Chicken

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The secret to this speedy soup is buying ingredients with lots of built-in flavor, like hummus, jarred piquillo peppers, and rotisserie chicken.

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Chicken-Chile Soup

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This Mexican-inspired chicken soup by F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple is extremely easy to make. Justin likes serving it with diced avocado and hot sauce to stir in at the table.

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Chicken Noodle Soup with Parsnips and Dill

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Lots of carrots and parsnips give old-favorite chicken noodle soup a sweet savor. To balance this effect, use the optional parsley, which is just slightly bitter.

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White Bean and Chicken Soup

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By using chicken thighs instead of breasts, this hearty, jalapeño-spiked soup gets ultra-rich flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, Jack cheese, cilantro, and avocado.

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Chicken-Orzo Soup with 10 Vegetables

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Any combination of vegetables will work in this satisfying soup from chef Hugh Acheson. If including 10 vegetables isn't a priority, you can also cut some and double up on others.

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Chinese Poached Chicken Breasts with Star Anise

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Chicken breasts poached in a broth flavored with star anise, cinnamon, ginger, scallions, and soy sauce is a Chinese classic. Traditionally you would save, not serve, the broth — it improves each time you use it — but we can never resist serving it with the chicken as a light sauce. If you like, boil noodles separately and add them to the broth for a meal in a dish.

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Chicken and Noodles in Spiced Broth

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Alternative healers use star anise to fight cold and flu symptoms. Recipe developer Melissa Rubel Jacobson combines the licorice-scented spice with cinnamon and ginger — both stomach soothers — to flavor a restorative chicken-noodle soup.

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Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

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This isn’t authentic gumbo, but it's a delicious example of how Creole flavors have crept up to Kentucky.

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Chicken Hot Pot with Mushrooms and Tofu

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Cooks in Asia serve hot pots communally, setting a big pot of bubbling broth on the table alongside a platter of raw ingredients (like vegetables and thinly sliced chicken) for dipping. It's a fun way for guests to feel like they have a hand in making their own meals. In his version, chef Ethan Stowell gives each person at the table an individual bowl of sliced mushrooms, tofu, and scallions, then adds piping hot chicken broth loaded with chunks of tender cooked chicken.

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Chicken Bouillabaisse with Rouille

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Chef Jacques Pépin’s flavor-packed chicken stew is fast and easy to assemble, and it cooks in about 30 minutes.

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Silken Bread and Parmesan Soup

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Frédérick Hermé’s chicken soup is thickened with fresh breadcrumbs and enriched with cheese and egg yolks.

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Moroccan Chicken and Couscous Soup

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A mainstay in Morocco, steamed couscous topped with a very liquid stew is undeniably delectable, but not exactly quick. We’ve found, though, that combining all the ingredients in a soup yields similarly sumptuous results in a much shorter time. The dish is decidedly spicy; if you prefer less heat, just reduce the amount of cayenne.

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Chicken Meatball and Orzo Soup

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This recipe cleverly uses chicken sausage: Remove the casings, shape the meat into balls, brown them, and simmer them in chicken broth. If you have leftover cooked rice on hand, feel free to substitute it for the orzo.

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30 Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Pure Comfort in a Bowl (2024)

FAQs

What makes a bowl of soup more flavorful? ›

Vinegar – A spoonful of vinegar is a quick fix when you find yourself with a bowl of dull, flat-tasting soup. Just a small amount of acid will brighten up the flavors. 2. Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is another item that's ideal for brightening up and adding depth of flavor to an otherwise dull soup.

Is chicken soup a comfort food? ›

Noodles in Chicken Soup

All of these provide carbohydrates, the body's preferred source of energy. Carbs help you feel full and satisfied (another reason chicken noodle soup is comfort food). Being cooked in broth also makes them more digestible, helping your body focus its energy instead on fighting infection.

How to add extra flavor to chicken soup? ›

How To Add More Flavor To Chicken Noodle Soup
  1. Homemade Chicken Broth. The secret to a flavorful chicken noodle soup lies in the broth. ...
  2. Add Fresh Herbs. ...
  3. Splash of Acid. ...
  4. Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce. ...
  5. Spice it Up. ...
  6. Roasted Vegetables. ...
  7. Experiment with Spices. ...
  8. Parmesan Cheese.
Jan 31, 2024

What is the best soup when your not feeling well? ›

9 Healthy Soups to Eat When You're Sick—And Sick of Chicken Noodle
  1. Summer vegetable soup with shrimp and lemon. ...
  2. Chicken and tortellini soup. ...
  3. Apple-sauerkraut soup. ...
  4. Mexican chickpea and quinoa soup. ...
  5. Creamy kale and white bean soup. ...
  6. Thai red curry noodle soup. ...
  7. Roasted cauliflower soup. ...
  8. Ham and white bean soup.
Jun 14, 2023

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What is the number one soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What are the top five comfort foods? ›

Become a Jetsetter
  • 1 Chicken and Waffles.
  • 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs.
  • 3 Chicken Fried Steak.
  • 4 Mac and Cheese.
  • 5 Hotdish.
  • 6 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
  • 7 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.
  • 8 Matzo Ball Soup.
Mar 1, 2020

How to spruce up chicken soup? ›

Add Some Herbs

Mix the sauteed herbs into the broth to add flavor to a boring canned soup. You can also toss a sprig of rosemary or fresh sage into the pot while you heat up the soup. Whether you add the herbs together or separately, you can really change and personalize the flavor of your soup.

How to doctor up chicken noodle soup? ›

  1. Start with a flavorful broth. Use a good quality low sodium chicken broth or make your own.
  2. Add aromatic vegetables, such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
  3. Add herbs and spices. A few great choices are thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary.
  4. Try adding some acidity. ...
  5. Add dairy. ...
  6. Experiment with different proteins.
Jun 25, 2022

How do you add depth to chicken soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

What soup is good for cough and phlegm? ›

Lotus Root & Pork Soup is a traditional Chinese soup recipe that has been used for centuries to help relieve coughs. This soup is made with lotus root, pork, and ginger, and is believed to help nourish the lungs and remove phlegm.

What to eat when sick if you hate soup? ›

The Best Foods to Eat When Sick With the Flu or a Cold
  • Broth-Based Soups. Not only can soup be a soothing option when you're not feeling well, but it might also offer benefits. ...
  • Citrus Fruits. Dr. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Plain Rice or Toast. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Hydrating Fluids.
Sep 22, 2023

Why do doctors recommend eating soup when we are sick? ›

The sodium in the recipe helps relieve sore throat pain (the same principle behind gargling warm salt water), the heat helps clear nasal congestion, and can relieve pain and sinus pressure.

How to improve the flavor of soup? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

What can I add to soup for extra Flavour? ›

These garnishes impart a little extra flavor and make your soup look restaurant-worthy.
  1. Chopped herbs, such as chives, cilantro, dill or parsley.
  2. Dusting of spice, such as cumin, paprika or white pepper.
  3. Lemon, lime or orange zest.
  4. Shaved, crumbled or grated cheese, such as feta, Parmesan or Pecorino.
Sep 23, 2016

How do you spice up boring soup? ›

The key here is using the right herbs. Choose tender, leafy herbs for topping soup, like parsley (flat leaf or curly), cilantro, chives, or even mint. Skip the woody herbs, like rosemary and thyme — or add them in the beginning of the cooking process — otherwise they will dull, rather than brighten, the flavor.

What can I add to my vegetable soup to give it more flavor? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

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