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Cozy Healing Chicken Vegetable Soup

cozy healing chicken vegetable soup - featured image
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A warm, comforting chicken vegetable soup made with simple ingredients, perfect for nourishing the body and soul on chilly days. This easy homemade recipe is quick to prepare and packed with wholesome flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup diced zucchini (optional)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh if available)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice or quinoa (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: dice the onion, slice the carrots, chop celery, mince garlic, and trim green beans and zucchini. (10 minutes)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and veggies soften slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken breasts or thighs to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and add thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil. (5 minutes)
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender. If adding brown rice or quinoa, stir them in now and simmer for 30-35 minutes total until grains are tender.
  5. Remove chicken from pot and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
  6. Stir in green beans and zucchini. Simmer uncovered for another 5-7 minutes until veggies are tender but still bright.
  7. Remove bay leaf, squeeze in lemon juice, and stir. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve hot in bowls and enjoy.

Notes

Use bone-in chicken for richer broth if time allows. Add green beans and zucchini later to keep them vibrant. Season gradually to avoid over-salting. Leftovers taste better the next day. Shredding chicken improves texture and flavor melding. For a spicy kick, add jalapeño or cayenne pepper when sautéing aromatics. Slow cooker adaptation: brown chicken and sauté veggies, then cook on low 4-6 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, vegetable soup, comfort food, healing soup, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, healthy soup, chicken vegetable soup

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/cozy-healing-chicken-vegetable-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/