Chicken soup is the ultimate comfort dish. That is why it is the go-to meal for cold weather and those under the weather. From classic noodle to spicy chipotle to creamy wild rice, these 23 recipes have something for every mood and every cold night. Pick your favorite, grab a ladle, and let dinner do the comforting.
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1) Chicken Tortilla Soup
Smoky and a bit spicy, with all the crunchy toppings, this is the soup to turn your Tuesday around!
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and garlic in a pot until soft.
- Stir in the chili powder and cumin and cook 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot with the beans and corn.
- Simmer 5 more minutes and serve topped with crispy fried tortilla strips.
Notes
2) Ginger Chicken Soup
This bowl is bright and gingery. It's restorative and will help you feel human again.
Ginger Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Add the chicken, ginger, garlic, and broth to a pot and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer gently for 25 minutes until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Ladle into bowls and top with sliced scallions.
Notes
3) Classic Chicken Noodle
Exactly how Grandma made it, no changes needed.
Classic Chicken Noodle
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot until softened.
- Add the broth and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the egg noodles and cook 8 minutes until tender.
- Season with salt, pepper, and parsley before serving.
Notes
4) Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
With a rich, velvety texture and generous portions of nutty wild rice, this is the soup that feels like a hug!
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the wild rice in part of the broth until tender, then set aside.
- Melt the butter and saute the onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
- Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute, then whisk in the remaining broth.
- Add the chicken and simmer 20 minutes, then shred and return it.
- Stir in the cooked rice and cream, then warm through and season.
5) Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Lemon and orzo elevate this dump-and-go soup with a taste way beyond the effort.
Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Add the chicken, onion, carrots, and broth to a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the orzo and cook 20 minutes on high until tender.
- Add the lemon juice, spinach, and dill just before serving.
Notes
6) Mexican Lime Chicken Soup
Light and zesty, this broth bowl with lime awakens your taste buds on the coldest nights.
Mexican Lime Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a pot until softened.
- Add the tomatoes, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the lime juice and warm through.
- Finish with chopped cilantro and serve with extra lime wedges.
Notes
7) Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
This bowl of creamy coconut and lemongrass transports you to warmer climates with a touch of spice.
Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Simmer the broth, coconut milk, lemongrass, and curry paste in a pot.
- Add the sliced chicken and mushrooms and simmer 15 minutes.
- Remove and discard the lemongrass stalk.
- Stir in the fish sauce and lime juice.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
8) Chicken and White Bean Chili
When winter comes, this white chili will wrap you in its coziness, creaminess, and slight spiciness. It will answer all your white chili cravings.
Chicken and White Bean Chili
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and garlic in a pot until soft.
- Add the cumin, oregano, green chiles, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Add the white beans and mash a few against the side to thicken.
- Stir in the sour cream off the heat and warm gently.
Notes
9) Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup
This healthy bowl makes you feel good and is filled with vegetables and pieces of chicken.
Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot until softened.
- Add the potatoes, broth, thyme, bay leaf, and chicken.
- Simmer 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Add the green beans and simmer 5 more minutes, then remove the bay leaf.
10) Chicken and Dumplings
Dumplings in chicken gravy are the definition of comfort food.
Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and saute the onion and carrots until soft.
- Stir in the 3 tbsp flour, then whisk in the broth and add the chicken.
- Simmer 20 minutes, then shred the chicken and stir in the cream.
- Mix the dumpling flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and milk into a soft dough.
- Drop spoonfuls onto the simmering stew, cover, and steam 15 minutes until puffed.
Notes
11) Spicy Chicken and Chorizo Stew
Chorizo always brings a wonderful flavor to hot dishes like this stew with a thick broth to warm you during those cold winter days.
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Spicy Chicken and Chorizo Stew
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the chorizo in a pot, then remove and set aside.
- Sear the chicken in the rendered fat until browned.
- Add the onion, red pepper, and smoked paprika and saute until soft.
- Stir in the tomatoes, broth, and chorizo and simmer 20 minutes.
- Add the kidney beans and simmer 5 more minutes until thickened.
Notes
12) Italian Chicken and Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms and earthy Italian herbs give this rustic bowl delicious flavors reminiscent of an Italian restaurant during a snowstorm.
Italian Chicken and Mushroom Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the mushrooms in a pot until browned, then add the onion and garlic.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and cook 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Finish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
13) Chicken and Corn Chowder
This chowder has all the winter comfort features. It’s creamy and sweet and has corn and pieces of chicken.
Chicken and Corn Chowder
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and saute the onion until soft.
- Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute, then whisk in the broth.
- Add the potatoes and chicken and simmer 20 minutes until tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the corn and cream, then warm through and season.
Notes
14) Turmeric Chicken Soup
Golden, warmly spiced and good for your body this glowing bowl seems to be a reset button.
Turmeric Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, ginger, and turmeric in a pot until fragrant.
- Add the carrot, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the coconut milk and warm through.
- Garnish with cilantro and a crack of black pepper.
Notes
15) Chicken Pho
This takes a lot of love and care to make. It has a fantastic star anise broth, silky rice noodles, and a mountain of fresh herbs.
Chicken Pho
Ingredients
Method
- Char the onion and ginger in a dry pot until fragrant.
- Add the broth, star anise, and cinnamon and simmer 30 minutes.
- Add the chicken and poach 15 minutes, then shred it.
- Strain the broth and stir in the fish sauce.
- Divide cooked rice noodles and chicken into bowls, ladle the broth over, and pile on fresh herbs.
Notes
16) Moroccan Chicken and Lentil Soup
The scent of far-off markets wafts from this hearty lentil soup, warmly spiced with cinnamon and cumin.
Moroccan Chicken and Lentil Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion in a pot, then stir in the cumin and cinnamon.
- Add the chicken and brown lightly.
- Stir in the lentils, tomatoes, and broth and simmer 30 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas and simmer 5 more minutes until the lentils are tender.
- Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon.
17) Roasted Garlic Chicken Soup
This simple soup has a depth of flavor that makes it seem as if it has been simmering for hours. The mellow and sweet roasted garlic goes a long way in achieving this.
Roasted Garlic Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Roast the whole garlic head drizzled with olive oil at 400 F for 35 minutes, then squeeze out the cloves.
- Saute the onion and carrots in a pot until soft.
- Add the broth, thyme, chicken, and roasted garlic and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Mash the soft garlic into the broth and finish with parsley.
Notes
18) Chicken and Spinach Soup
With a broth base and a good amount of greens, this soup is a great way to feel good about yourself.
Chicken and Spinach Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add the broth and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the spinach and cook 2 minutes until wilted.
- Finish with lemon juice and season to taste.
Notes
19) Smoky Chipotle Chicken Soup
This bowl has chipotle that gives it a little smokiness and a little spiciness to provide a lot of warmth on a cold winter night.
Smoky Chipotle Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion in a pot until soft, then stir in the chipotle and cumin.
- Add the tomatoes, broth, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Add the black beans and simmer 5 more minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
20) Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
This classic Louisiana dish only deepens in complexity with the time spent on the roux.
Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour and oil in a heavy pot over medium heat to make a dark brown roux, about 25 minutes.
- Add the onion, green pepper, and celery and cook until soft.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning, then slowly whisk in the broth.
- Add the chicken and sausage and simmer 30 minutes.
- Serve over white rice with sliced scallions.
Notes
21) Chicken and Barley Soup
Chewy barley makes this soup stay with you and will keep you full until morning.
Chicken and Barley Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, carrots, and celery in a pot until softened.
- Add the barley, broth, thyme, bay leaf, and chicken.
- Simmer 35 minutes until the barley is tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Remove the bay leaf and season to taste before serving.
Notes
22) Miso Chicken Soup
The chicken broth transforms with the addition of savory, umami-rich miso.
Miso Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer and add the sliced chicken.
- Simmer 12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Whisk the miso paste with a ladle of broth, then stir it back into the pot.
- Add the tofu and bok choy and simmer 3 minutes.
- Finish with sesame oil and scallions, keeping the heat low so the miso doesn't boil.
Notes
23) Chicken and Rice Soup
Calming and always appreciated, especially when someone is sick, this is always a winner.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, carrots, and celery in a pot until soft.
- Add the broth, thyme, and chicken and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the rice and cook 15 minutes until tender.
- Season to taste and finish with fresh parsley.