Healthy Eating 101 Ask the Test Kitchen How to Make the Best Chicken Soup, According to Our Test Kitchen With just five simple steps, you'll have a bowl of warm and hearty deliciousness. By Carolyn Malcoun Carolyn Malcoun Instagram Twitter As EatingWell's food editor, Carolyn Malcoun searches for cool farmers, chefs and other food stories to tell. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a culinary arts degree from New England Culinary Institute. She started at EatingWell as an intern in the Test Kitchen in 2005 and joined the editorial team soon after. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 17, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email We've simmered down our favorite technique for making super-flavorful chicken soup into 5 simple steps. Follow this plan and you'll be serving up bowls of soup brimming with vegetables and fiber with a fraction of the sodium found in traditional soups. Start with a classic combination of carrots, celery, peas and egg noodles or go for a different blend of vegetables and seasonings to create your new favorite chicken soup. Whether you go for the chicken noodle or have a taste for fiery Moroccan-inspired soup, we've got you covered. Every great pot starts with garlic, onions, bone-in chicken breast and low-sodium broth. From there, make it your own with your favorite mix of herbs, spices, vegetables, grains and/or beans. Andrew Scrivani How to Freeze Soup So It Tastes as Delicious as the Day It Was Made 5 Steps for Making Chicken Soup Step 1. Lay the base The best soups start with a combination of aromatic vegetables cooked in oil to bring out their flavor. To start, heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; add 1 cup chopped onion and 2 large minced garlic cloves. Cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 to 4 tsp. seasonings. Cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes more. Seasonings: Dried Bay leafMarjoramOreganoRosemarySageThyme Ground AllspiceCayenneChili powderChipotleCinnamonCorianderCuminCurry powderPaprika Minced Chipotle chiles in adoboGingerLemongrass Step 2. Hack "homemade" broth Save time by using boxed or canned broth (look for low-sodium options with about 150 mg sodium per cup). Make it taste like homemade stock by cooking the chicken for the soup in the broth before adding other ingredients. Pour 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth into the pot with the seasonings. Add 2 lb. bone-in chicken breasts (without skin); simmer until cooked through (165°F on an instant-read thermometer), 20 to 22 minutes. While it cooks, skim any foam from the surface to keep the broth clear. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board to cool, then shred or chop into bite-size pieces. Andrew Scrivani Step 3. Load it with vegetables A bowl of soup can be a great way to help you get more vegetables into your day. Add 6 to 8 cups vegetables to the broth after you take out the chicken. Return to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 10 minutes. Vegetables (fresh or frozen, thawed) Diced Bell pepperCeleriacPotato, yellow or redRutabagaSweet potatoTurnipWinter squash Chopped Broccoli or broccoliniCauliflowerChardCollardsGreen beansKaleSpinachTomatoes Sliced CabbageCarrotsCeleryFennelMushroomsZucchini or summer squash Whole Corn kernelsShelled peas Step 4. Bump up the fiber Add 3 cups cooked whole grains or 11/2 cups cooked beans (or one 15-oz. can rinsed beans) to the pot. Stir in the chicken, 11/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cook until heated through. Pasta/grains/beans Whole-wheat pasta Egg noodlesFusiliMacaroniOrzoSpaghettiWagon wheels Grains BarleyBrown riceCouscous, whole-wheatFarroFreekehMilletQuinoaWheat berries Beans Black beansCannellini or navy beansChickpeasKidney beans Step 5. Go for big flavor Just before serving, add one more layer of flavor. You can add a pop of freshness with something as simple as chopped parsley or a squeeze of lime. For a more complex finish, stir in some pesto or chile paste. Flavor Boost: Herbs (1-3 Tbsp.) BasilChivesCilantroDillMintParsleyTarragon Herb sauces (2-4 Tbsp.) ChimichurriPesto Salsa Verde Hot sauces (1-3 tsp.) Chile-garlicCurry pasteHarissaSriracha Acid (1-3 Tbsp.) Lemon juiceLime juiceVinegar Umami (1-3 Tbsp.) Fish sauceMisoReduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari Chicken Soup Recipes to Try 01 of 05 Classic Chicken Soup View Recipe Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables. 02 of 05 Chipotle Chicken & Vegetable Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe is perfect for when you're in the mood for comfort food and Mexican food all in one! 03 of 05 Japanese-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup View Recipe This healthy, Japanese-inspired chicken noodle soup recipe is made with udon noodles and gets a hit of umami flavor from a swirl of miso at the end. 04 of 05 Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup View Recipe This healthy chicken soup recipe gets bold Moroccan flavor from sweet potatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a touch of harissa. 05 of 05 Pesto Chicken & Cannellini Bean Soup View Recipe This healthy, Italian-inspired chicken soup recipe is loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and beans and gets an extra boost of flavor from a swirl of pesto at the end. 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