Chicken Soup With Cooked Chicken Recipe

Chicken soup-it’s the ultimate comfort food, isn’t it? It’s the dish that feels like a hug in a bowl, especially when you’re craving something hearty, soothing, and just right for those chilly days. This recipe, however, puts a fun twist on the traditional by using cooked chicken instead of raw chicken. This approach speeds up the cooking process and makes it even easier to prepare, all while still delivering that deep, flavorful comfort. It’s perfect for leftovers or for when you need a quick, cozy meal without the fuss of cooking raw chicken.

Let’s dive into this easy, delicious Chicken Soup with cooked chicken recipe. It’s packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and offers the versatility to play around with ingredients to suit your taste. Whether you’re looking to make a classic or explore fun variations, this recipe has you covered.

Chicken Soup With Cooked Chicken Recipe

This recipe is designed to be simple but satisfying, with all the elements of a traditional chicken soup: a flavorful broth, tender vegetables, and, of course, chunks of cooked chicken that are already infused with flavor. You’ll get the essence of a homemade chicken soup without having to wait for hours to cook the chicken from scratch. Let’s break it down step by step, so you can create a bowl of pure comfort.

Ingredients Needed

Before you get started, gather these ingredients. They’re the essentials, but feel free to swap them for whatever you have on hand or prefer:

• Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced (about 2 cups). Leftover rotisserie chicken works wonders here!
• Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and sliced into rounds. They add a touch of sweetness and color.
• Celery: 2 stalks, chopped. Adds a mild crunch and earthy flavor.
• Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped. It’s the base of any great soup, offering depth and richness.
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced. Adds a fragrant and savory layer.
• Chicken Broth: 4 cups. Homemade or store-bought, this is the heart of your soup’s flavor.
• Bay Leaves: 2. Adds an aromatic, earthy touch to the broth.
• Thyme: 1 teaspoon (or 2 sprigs of fresh thyme). Adds a wonderful herby note.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste. These simple seasonings will help bring everything together.
• Noodles or Rice (optional): About 1 cup. Adding these will make the soup more filling. You can choose egg noodles, or rice, or even barley depending on your preference.

Cooking Instructions

Now, let’s get down to business and start cooking!

1. Prepare Your Chicken: If you’re using leftover cooked chicken, shred it with your hands or chop it into small chunks. Set aside.
2. Sauté the Veggies: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onions become translucent.
3. Garlic and Seasonings: Add the minced garlic, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir for 1 minute, letting the garlic become fragrant. This is when the flavors really start to develop.
4. Add the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir everything together, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften even more.
5. Add the Chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, just to warm the chicken through and let it absorb the flavors of the broth.
6. Optional Add-Ins: If you’re adding noodles or rice, now’s the time. If using noodles, cook them separately and then add them to the soup at the end to avoid overcooking. If using rice, you can add it directly to the soup and let it simmer until tender (about 10-15 minutes, depending on the type).
7. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy your cozy meal!

Ingredient Insights

Every ingredient in this soup serves a purpose, and understanding their roles can help you tweak the recipe to suit your taste.

• Cooked Chicken: The star of the show! Using pre-cooked chicken makes the process quicker, and it adds a deep, rich flavor that raw chicken can’t provide in such a short cooking time.
• Carrots and Celery: These are the classic “mirepoix” vegetables (onions, carrots, celery), which are the foundation of countless soups and stews. They contribute natural sweetness and earthiness, creating a balance of flavors.
• Garlic: Not just for flavor, garlic also has medicinal properties. It’s known for boosting immunity, making it a perfect addition to a soup.
• Herbs (Bay Leaves, Thyme): Bay leaves give a subtle, aromatic touch that’s hard to beat, and thyme is one of those herbs that’s perfectly suited for comforting, soul-warming soups.
• Chicken Broth: This is the essence of the soup, delivering the savory, meaty flavor. Homemade broth, if you have it, is ideal because it adds richness and complexity that store-bought versions can’t always replicate.

Expert Tips

• Don’t Skip the Sautéing Step: While it might be tempting to just throw everything into the pot, sautéing the veggies first really helps to develop the flavors. This step helps to bring out the sweetness in the carrots and onions, and the garlic becomes more aromatic.
• Use High-Quality Broth: If you’re using store-bought broth, go for the best quality you can find. Some broth options can be overly salty or bland, so aim for one with rich, full flavor.
• Adjust Consistency: If the soup gets too thick after adding rice or noodles, feel free to add more broth or water to adjust the consistency.
• Add Fresh Herbs at the End: If you have fresh herbs like parsley or dill, sprinkle them over the soup just before serving. They brighten up the whole dish and add a pop of freshness.
• Make it Spicy: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The heat pairs beautifully with the richness of the chicken and broth.

Recipe Variations

There are so many ways to customize this chicken soup based on what you have in the pantry or your personal preferences. Here are some ideas to switch things up:

• Creamy Chicken Soup: Stir in a splash of cream or half-and-half towards the end of cooking to give the soup a rich, creamy texture.
• Add More Veggies: You can sneak in other vegetables like peas, zucchini, spinach, or potatoes. Just keep in mind that some veggies may require a little extra cooking time.
• Dumplings: If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, try adding homemade or store-bought dumplings to the soup. They’ll add a hearty, comforting dimension to the dish.
• Curry Twist: For something a bit different, stir in a spoonful of curry powder or turmeric for a warm, aromatic twist on the classic chicken soup.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip the noodles and rice, and instead add zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice to keep the dish low-carb and still hearty.

Final Words

Chicken soup is one of those timeless dishes that can easily be personalized to suit any taste. Whether you’re using leftovers or preparing it fresh, it’s a versatile and forgiving recipe. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity-each ingredient complements the others in a harmonious way, and even small changes can yield big flavor.