Homemade Chicken Soup is hard to beat. This recipe is filled with vegetables, herbs, and roasted chicken. It can help fight a cold and is the ultimate comfort food. For a more filling meal, just add egg noodles.

Chicken soup in a bowl with a spoon and slices of crusty bread in the background.


Homemade Chicken Soup

This Homemade Chicken Soup is a version of my polish grandma’s recipe which is just like my favorite jewish deli, Hymie’s. It can be ready in about an hour, and best of all, you won’t be sacrificing any flavor. Garlic, thyme, dill, and parsley add an aromatic flavor to the broth that’s both bright and savory. The herbs are a perfect complement to the juicy bits of roasted chicken. 

I can’t think of a better soup to have on a frosty night or when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s excellent with a thick slice of crusty sourdough bread or with your favorite crackers on the side. Since the recipe doesn’t call for noodles, you can crumble the crackers in the broth or dip your hunk of bread right in. 

If you must have noodles in your soup, I’ve got you covered. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is the ultimate healthy comfort food. I also have rich and creamy versions like my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and Creamy Chicken Soup with Artichokes and Mushrooms.

Ingredients

  • Chicken – Leftover roast chicken is handy to help this recipe come together in minutes. Or you can easily roast chicken breasts while prepping your other ingredients.
  • Vegetables – Onion, carrots, celery and garlic provide the base of the flavor packed soup.
  • Chicken Stock – Homemade chicken stock shines in this recipe but you can use store bought stock or chicken broth.
  • Fresh Herbs – Thyme, dill and fresh parsley add a ton of flavor and freshness.

For full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom.

Two bowls of chicken soup with saltine crackers and bread on the side.

How to Make Chicken Soup 

  1. Prepare the raw chicken breast. Rub a bit of olive oil on the chicken breast and season it liberally with salt and pepper. 
  2. Roast the chicken. Place the chicken on a roasting dish and roast in a 425°F oven until cooked through, approximately 25-30 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it cool until you can handle it. 
  3. Shred the chicken. Shred the cooked chicken into small pieces. Set aside.
  4. Cook the soup base. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Then add the onions and cook until soft. Next, add the carrots and celery, cooking until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for one more minute. 
  5. Add the chicken, stock, and seasonings. Add the shredded chicken to the pot, stirring to combine. Then add the chicken stock, fresh thyme, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. 
  6. Boil and simmer. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. Then turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. 

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Spoonful of chicken soup over a white bowl.

Tips for the Best Chicken Soup 

  • Feel free to use your favorite herbs in this soup. Some other options you could substitute or add include oregano, herbes de Provence, and bay leaf. 
  • Want a spicier chicken soup? Add ½ teaspoon of chili flakes or powder to the soup base when you add the garlic. 
  • It’s easy to add carbs to this soup. Try adding your favorite egg noodles, gluten-free pasta, cooked rice, or matzo balls. 

Serving Suggestions

Serve this soup with a slice of crusty bread on the side. Smear it with Roasted Garlic for extra savory deliciousness and a bonus immune boost!

Homemade Chicken Soup is also great with any style of dinner roll, like my classic Parker House Rolls. Or try Easy Brioche Rolls for soft rolls that have buttery flavor baked right in. 

For a fancier bread to serve with this soup, homemade Garlic Knots are full of flavor and look gorgeous in a basket on the dinner table. 

pot filled with chicken soup with a ladle inside.

Freezing Leftovers

Freeze soup leftovers in an airtight freezer container, leaving ½ inch of space at the top. Or save freezer space by storing it in zip-top plastic freezer bags. It will last up to 3 months. 

For batch freezing soups, stews, stocks and broths, we love using silicone Souper Cubes for mess free meal prep.

Click to Purchase

Chicken Broth vs. Chicken Stock

Use chicken stock in this soup and avoid broth if possible. Chicken stock is made with bones, so it’s much more rich and flavorful. But, if broth is all you have, the soup will still be delicious.

More easy chicken soup recipes!

For more easy chicken dinner ideas, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

bowl of chicken soup with a spoon on a white background.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Soup

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Just like my polish grandma’s, or your favorite jewish deli, this easy Chicken Soup recipe is cozy and comforting. Made in under an hour with leftover chicken or rotisserie from the store.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast half
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large vidalia onion , diced
  • 2 large carrots , diced
  • 1 large celery stalk , diced
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 5 cups chicken stock, homemade or store bought
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 stock pot

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 425˚F.
  • Rub a little olive oil on the chicken breast and season liberally with kosher salt and pepper. Roast the chicken until cooked through and reads 165˚F on a meat thermometer, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  • Transfer to a plate and allow to cool to room temperature or until cool enough to handle. Shred the chicken into small pieces and set aside.
  • In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil over med-high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened. Add the carrots and celery and continue to cook until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock, herbs, salt and pepper and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Serve immediately or transfer to airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Chicken soup will last in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days. 
  • Freeze chicken soup in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 364mg, Potassium: 545mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 3538IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American