two bowls of chicken and vegetable soup with toasted bread on the side
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This homemade Chicken and Vegetable Soup is an easy and simple classic for winter! Loaded with shredded chicken, garlic, simple vegetables and seasonings, this is a comforting broth of goodness! It’s also a healthy and light dinner option that is sure to help you feel better when you’re sick!

What could be better on a cold winters night than a hearty, nutritious bowl of hot chicken and vegetable soup?! It’s just a feel good meal! It’s the thing I crave when I have even the slightest hint of a cold and it always seems to make you feel better!

It’s no secret that I love soup. During this past winter, I’ve shared with you a couple of tasty soup recipes like my Potato, Leek & Bacon Soup and also my Tomato & Mixed Bean Soup. What can I say? On a cold winter’s night, soup just makes me feel all cosy!

As for this chicken soup, I’ve decided to keep it nice and simple. You could go nuts with spices and seasoning but sometimes it’s the classics that we tend to crave in times of need – like when you’re shivering on the couch or curled up in bed with a fever.

And because this soup is so simple, it’s also incredibly easy to make for any night of the week. And any leftovers you might have can be kept in the fridge for lunches or dinners the following days or it can be frozen for up to three months for those times you just don’t feel like cooking.

two white bowls of chicken and vegetable soup. shredded chicken tender carrots, beans, leek and onions in a golden broth served with crusty bread.

MAKING THE SOUP

This chicken and vegetable soup is so easy to make! All you have to do is add the carrot, celery, onion, leek and garlic to a large saucepan and gently sautè until tender. Then you can add the stock, thyme, bay leaf and chicken thighs and simmer for around an hour.

The next step is to take the chicken out, shred it up and then add it back to the saucepan along with beans. Cook for a further 10-15 minutes or until beans are tender and check for seasoning! And that’s it!

TIPS AND VARIATIONS

  • Make sure to sauté the vegetables until very soft and tender to make sure the sweet flavours are brought out
  • Try and use the best stock you can get your hands on
  • Add in some cooked pasta just before serving for an easy chicken noodle soup
  • Just about any vegetables can be added to the soup to suit your taste preferences
  • Try adding some fresh chillies for a spicy twist

WATCH THE VIDEO!

two bowls of chicken and vegetable soup with toasted bread on the side

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 2 cloves garlic finely diced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 leek chopped
  • 1 L chicken stock
  • 250 ml water
  • 4 chicken thighs (around 500g)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp fresh thyme (see notes)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup green beans cut to desired length
  • crusty bread to serve

Instructions
 

  • Add oil, garlic, onion, carrot, celery and leek to a large saucepan over medium heat and saute until vegetables are soft and tender.
  • Pour in chicken stock and water and bring to a gentle simmer before adding whole chicken thighs, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover with lid and cook for 1 hour.
  • Remove chicken, shred and return to saucepan along with beans. Check for seasoning and simmer, covered, for 5-10 minutes or until beans are tender. Serve with crusty bread.

Notes

If you can’t get fresh thyme, you can substitute for 1/4 tsp of dried thyme.
Keyword Budget Meal, Chicken Recipes, Winter Warmer

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three white bowls of chicken and vegetable soup. shredded chicken tender carrots, beans, leek and onions in a golden broth served with crusty bread. Text overlay reads "chicken and vegetable soup recipe"