Mouthwatering Chicken And Vegetable Soup – And A Host Of Healthy Sides!

Are you looking for a delicious, healthy soup that’s packed with nutrition? Look no further than this Chicken Vegetable Soup!

This protein-packed dish is full of fresh vegetables and lean chicken, making it a perfect meal for anyone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It’s quick and easy to prepare, so it’s great for busy weeknights.

Plus, it’s sure to satisfy everyone in the family.

Our Ultimate Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Ready to discover the ultimate chicken vegetable soup recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
•  large onion, finely diced
• 4 celery sticks, finely diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and cubed
• 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
• 150 g cubed butternut squash
•  1 tsp salt
•  1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• 1.4 liters hot chicken stock 
• 900 g mini chicken breasts)
• 3-4 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 zucchini, cubed
• 150 g sweet corn
• 150 g cup of pasta
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
•  1 tbsp parsley, chopped, plus extra to serve
• Salt and pepper to season
• A little grated Parmesan to serve (optional)

Method

• Add the oil to a large pot and heat 
• Add the onion, carrots, potato, squash and celery, stir in the salt and herbs, and sauté over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add the stock, and simmer over a low heat before adding the tomato paste and chicken
• Simmer for 15 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Stir in the zucchini (courgette), pasta and sweetcorn with the lemon juice, and cook for 10-13 minutes, or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the soup from the heat, and remove the chicken. Shred, and return to the pot.
• Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste. 
• Serve with lemon wedges on the side, sprinkled with a little grated Parmesan if you like.

Instant Pot Method

You can also bring this delicious recipe to life using an Instant Pot – simply follow the instructions below:

• Add the vegetables to your Instant Pot, and stir in the tomato paste.
• To cook, cover the dish and set the vent to sealing. Cook for 12 minutes on high pressure. Release pressure manually.
• Stir in the vegetables, and add lemon juice, and cook for 3 minutes on high pressure. Release pressure manually.
• Take the inner pot out of the pressure cooker and remove the chicken using tongs.
• Shred the chicken using two forks and return to the pot.
• Stir in the parsley. Taste the soup, and add salt or pepper if needed.
• Add lemon wedges or grated Parmesan to serve

Top Tips For This Recipe

Wondering how you can take your chicken vegetable soup to the next level? Then here are some top tips for success:

Use The Right Chicken Parts

Not all parts of a chicken are suitable for soup. For best results, make sure you use chicken thighs, as they are tender and full of flavor.

Don’t Boil The Soup

Never boil your soup. Simmer gently to ensure the vegetables don’t break down and the flavors infuse properly.

Experiment With Herbs And Spices

Herbs and spices add an extra layer of flavor to your soup, so why not try something different? Some great options include coriander, turmeric, and cumin.

Add Some Spice

If you like a bit of spice in your soup, add some chili flakes or fresh chili for an added kick.

Add Some Protein

For a more substantial soup, add some protein. Cubed chicken or ham works well, as do lentils (Also check out Healthy And Hearty Vegan Lentil Stew) and beans such as cannellini or kidney beans. This will also make the dish more nutritious.

Garnish The Soup

The best way to finish off your soup is to add a few extra touches. Sprinkle over some chopped parsley, grated cheese, or even some croutons for added texture. Alternatively, dollop some sour cream or Greek yogurt on top for an extra creamy finish.

Finish With Fresh Greens

Adding fresh greens like spinach, kale, or chard at the end of cooking time will give your soup an extra nutritional boost.

Once the soup has been cooked, it’s time to serve. Ladle into bowls and enjoy with your chosen accompaniments. For an extra special touch, add a few drops of truffle oil or a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs.

Finish by adding some freshly ground black pepper and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for added zing.

You can also freeze any leftovers for an easy lunch or dinner option. Simply portion into airtight containers and freeze for up to three months.

What Can I Serve With Chicken And Vegetable Soup?

Once you have made your delicious chicken and vegetable soup, it’s time to think about the accompaniments. Here are some mouthwatering sides that you can use to enhance your meal and create a delicious experience:

Fresh Baked Bread

A loaf of homemade, fresh-baked bread is the perfect accompaniment to a comforting bowl of soup – and we have a simple recipe to help you create your own loaf:

Ingredients

• 3 and 1/4 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons (about 6g) of instant yeast
• 2 tsp salt 
• 1 and 1/2 cups water

Method

• Whisk salt, yeast, and flour in a bowl, and then add the water and mix together until moist.
• Cover the dough with cling film and leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours. You can also leave the dough to rise in the refrigerator for 12 hours for a more intense flavor.
• Dust flour on a work surface, and then place the dough on the surface. Cut into two halves, and then shape into two loaves. Cover, and allow to rest for 45 minutes on a floured baking tray while you preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C).
• When ready for baking, use a sharp knife to score the top of the bread, and then add to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Gently tap the loaves – when they sound hollow, your bread is ready. 
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes before serving with your soup.

Seasonal Salad

Another great option is a mouthwatering seasonal salad – this is a great way to add some extra nutrition to your meal.

You could make a simple salad with lettuce and tomato, or something more complex like a quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and feta cheese – we have a simple recipe for that too:

Ingredients

• 400g black beans, drained
• 2 large handfuls spinach leaves
• 500g tomatoes, chopped 
• ½ cucumber cut in half
• 1 peeled mango
• 1 large red onion, finely sliced la
• 6-8 radishes, sliced
• 2 avocados peeled and sliced
• 100g feta cheese crumbled
• handful of herbs (reserved from the dressing)

For The Dressing

• Large bunch mint
• Small bunch coriander
• Small bunch basil
• 1 green chili, deseeded and chopped
• 1 clove of garlic
• 100ml olive oil 
• 2 limes 
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp honey

Method

• To create the dressing, combine all ingredients in a food processor or finely chop them. Reserve some herb leaves for the salad. The dressing can be made up 24 hours before it is served.
• Assemble the beans, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, mango, onion, and radishes on a platter. Mix gently with your hands. Add avocados, feta, and herbs to the top of the salad. Serve the dressing separately.

Crunchy Croutons

Another great dish to serve alongside your soup is crunchy croutons. You can make your own by cutting some day-old bread into cubes and adding a little oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.

Add the cubes to a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Once your croutons are golden brown, let them cool and sprinkle them over your soup.

Roasted Vegetables

A dish of roasted vegetables is also a great accompaniment to your soup. Simply preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), and cut up some of your favorite vegetables into cubes.

Place them on a baking tray, season with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Serve the vegetables alongside your soup – they’re sure to be a hit!

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It may seem unusual, but a grilled cheese sandwich is an excellent addition to your soup (Also check out Unusual Soup Recipes That Taste Amazing!). To make, cut two slices of cheddar cheese and place between two slices of bread.

Butter the outside of each slice and add to a frying pan over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Cut the sandwich into quarters and serve alongside your soup – it’s sure to be a winning combination that adds something a little different to your meal.

Tasty Tomato Bruschetta

If you’re looking for something to add a bit of crunch, try some bruschetta with our simple recipe:

Ingredients

• ½ small red onion, chopped finely 
• 8 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 crushed garlic cloves
• 6-8 leaves of fresh basil
• 30ml balsamic vinegar 
• 60-80 m olive oil
• 1 loaf crusty bread – see the recipe above for inspiration!

Method

• Mix onions, tomatoes, garlic, and basil in a bowl. Be careful not to mash or break up the tomatoes too much. Add balsamic vinegar, oil. salt and pepper to taste, and then mix again.
  
  Cover and chill for at least an hour – this really helps the flavors to soak and blend together.

• To prepare, cut the baguette loaf into twelve diagonal slices and toast until lightly browned. Serve the mixture on the warm bread slices. For room temperature serving, remove from the refrigerator thirty minutes prior.

Caesar Salad

Bring out the flavors of the chicken with a classic Caesar salad. The dressing is simple to make and compliments the soup perfectly:

Ingredients

• 4 small cos lettuce, washed and leaves separated
• 2 thick slices bread, cubed
• 25 ml olive oil
• 50g parmesan, shaved
• 2 rashers smoked back bacon, chopped
• chive stalks, to garnish

For The dressing

• 50ml olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• salt
• freshly ground pepper

Method

• Begin by heating olive oil in a large frying pan set to medium-high heat. Proceed to fry the bread cubes, regularly tossing them to ensure even coating in the oil.
• After frying until golden brown, season and remove excess oil by placing it on kitchen paper.
• Cook the bacon in the pan for 4-5 minutes until it turns golden brown and crispy. Afterward, remove it from the pan and place it on kitchen paper to drain.
• Place the lettuce on the plates and add croutons, bacon pieces, and parmesan shavings on top.
• Combine the ingredients for the dressing and pour it over the salad.
• Add chives as a garnish and serve promptly.

Final Thoughts

Chicken vegetable soup is a delicious and healthy meal that can be easily customized to fit any taste. With these simple side dishes, you can make your soup even more enjoyable – and still, stay on top of your fitness and nutrition goals!