Best & Easiest Chicken Soup Recipe
Like sunshine in a bowl, this very vibrant yellow soup is not only delicious but also very healthy.
Turmeric and ginger are the immune-boosting star ingredients that’ll help you battle anything from a cold to inflammation in your body. Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and hearty pearl couscous make it as satisfying as it is restorative.
Make Ahead Instructions
If you wish to make this soup ahead of time, I recommend not adding the pearl couscous until you’re ready to reheat and serve it. Couscous might keep absorbing the broth, making its texture change a bit.
So make the soup without couscous, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, reheat it in a pot on the stove, add the couscous, let it cook until tender, and serve.
Variations
- Add even more nutrition by stirring in chopped kale or baby spinach just prior to serving.
- Sprinkle a little freshly grated Parmesan on top for a cheesy twist.
- A splash of lemon juice can brighten the soup and increase its vitamin C content.
- What to add different veggies? Absolutely! Use your favorite veggies like green beans, broccoli florets, or diced red bell pepper.
- Can’t find pearl couscous? You can use rice or tiny pasta shapes like ditalini, stelline, or anellini.
- Make it creamy! Add a dollop of sour cream or a splash of heavy cream for a silkier texture.
Store Chicken Soup
To store this soup, wait until it’s cooled down completely, place it in an airtight container, and in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat simply pop it in the microwave or reheat it on the stovetop.
Freeze Chicken Soup
For best results, freeze the soup without the couscous. Cook the soup according to the recipe’s instructions but omit adding the couscous.
Let it cool down completely before placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight, reheat in a pot on the stovetop and once it’s simmering, add the couscous. Cook until tender, and serve.
Best & Easiest Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 6 cups chicken bone broth or regular chicken broth
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Lemon juice for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, saute the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for about 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped fresh herbs, grated ginger, and ground turmeric, and saute 30 seconds more.
- Pour in the bone broth and add the red pepper, salt, pepper, and chicken breasts.
- Bring to a boil, and add the couscous. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the couscous is tender.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the soup, shred them, and return to the pot. Add the frozen peas, simmer for one more minute, remove from heat, and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice on top.
Nutrition
FAQ About the Best Chicken Soup
- 1. Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken Instead of Raw Chicken? Yes! That would be very convenient and save you time. Shred the chicken and add it to the soup once the veggies have softened.
- 2. Do I Have to Use Fresh Herbs like Rosemary and Thyme? Absolutely not! If you don’t have fresh herbs, use dried ones. Just remember that dried herbs have a more potent flavor, so use ⅓ the amount. If you need one tbsp of fresh herbs, use 1 tsp of the dried one.
- 3. Can I Save Time by Using Pre-Chopped Vegetables? Yes, you can! Using frozen, pre-chopped veggies saves a ton of time and the soup will be just as delicious.
- 4. Is Store-Bought Chicken Broth Okay to Use? It’s perfectly fine to use! Even better, if you use chicken bone broth instead of regular chicken broth, you can increase the amount of protein in the soup.
- 5. What if I Don’t Have Couscous? You can easily replace couscous with other grains like rice or quinoa. You can also use other tiny pasta shapes like ditalini, stellini, or anellini.
- 6. Can I Use Garlic Powder and Turmeric Instead of Fresh? The flavor of the soup will not be altered if you use garlic powder and ground turmeric. It will make your soup easier to make!
- 7. When Should I Add the Frozen Peas? Add them in the final minute of cooking time. Frozen peas thaw out really quickly and become tender in no time. Adding them at the end ensures the color and flavor stays vibrant and fresh!
- 8. How Can I Make the Soup Thicker or Thinner? To make the soup thicker, let it simmer a while longer and if you want to make it thinner, add more broth!
