If you’re seeking the ultimate comfort food to soothe the soul and nourish the body, this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s not just any chicken soup; it’s a warm, fragrant, and wholesome bowl of goodness packed with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a delicate mix of herbs and spices that come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply crave a taste of home-cooked love, this soup delivers healing and happiness with every spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe keeps things delightfully simple. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor while contributing to a balanced texture and lovely color throughout the soup. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this cozy creation to life:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter: Adds richness and helps soften the vegetables beautifully.
- 1 cup diced yellow onion: Provides a savory base and sweetness when cooked down.
- 3 medium carrots (sliced into ¼-inch thick half-moons): Brings natural sweetness and a vibrant orange hue.
- 2 ribs celery (diced): Offers a subtle crunch and classic soup aromatic flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses the broth with a warm, pungent depth.
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger or ginger paste: Adds a gentle zing that wakes up your taste buds and supports healing.
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram: Provides a mild, slightly sweet herbaceous note.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste): Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- 7 cups low sodium chicken broth: The heart of the soup, delivering rich but controlled flavor.
- 2 to 3 fresh thyme sprigs: Imparts earthy and floral notes that gently elevate the broth.
- 1 bay leaf: Adds a subtle layer of complexity and depth.
- ¾ to 1 pound boneless (skinless chicken breasts or thighs): The protein star of the dish—to keep things tender and juicy.
- 5 ounces dry short pasta or egg noodles (about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups): Brings comforting texture and makes the soup filling.
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste): Gives a mild kick and bright finish.
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley: Adds freshness and a pop of color right before serving.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brings brightness and balances the richness beautifully.
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped, for serving): For a fresh, vibrant garnish that makes the soup feel extra special.
How to Make Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables
Begin by heating olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery, stirring occasionally as they soften and release their natural sweetness. This step, lasting about 5 to 6 minutes, lays the aromatic foundation for your soup’s wonderful flavor.
Step 2: Add Garlic, Ginger, and Herbs
Next, stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, dried marjoram, and salt. Cook everything for just 30 seconds until fragrant—the fragrant combination will fill your kitchen and give the soup its inviting character.
Step 3: Pour in the Chicken Broth and Add Fresh Herbs
Pour the low sodium chicken broth into the pot and toss in fresh thyme sprigs along with a bay leaf. Bring everything gently to a simmer, allowing the herbs and broth to meld their flavors.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Carefully nestle your boneless chicken breasts or thighs into the simmering broth. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the chicken is tender and easily shredded, usually about 20 to 35 minutes. This slow cooking makes the chicken melt-in-your-mouth tender, infusing the soup with rich flavor.
Step 5: Prepare for the Noodles
Once the chicken is done, remove it to a cutting board. Take the soup off the heat and discard the woody stems from the thyme sprigs, leaving the flavorful leaves behind in the broth.
Step 6: Cook the Pasta in the Soup
Return the soup to a gentle simmer and add your chosen pasta or egg noodles. Allow the noodles to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender according to the package directions—anywhere from 6 to 11 minutes. This step brings heartiness to the dish, making it wonderfully filling.
Step 7: Shred the Chicken
While the noodles cook, chop the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. This makes every spoonful easy to enjoy and perfectly balanced.
Step 8: Final Flavor Adjustments
With the noodles tender, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the shredded chicken, fresh parsley, and lemon juice for zest and freshness. Taste the soup, then adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Don’t forget to remove the bay leaf before serving—it’s all about those little details!
How to Serve Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley right before serving adds a burst of color and a touch of herbaceous brightness that complements the soup perfectly. You can also add a few twists of freshly ground black pepper for a hint of spice.
Side Dishes
Serve this nourishing chicken soup alongside crusty bread, warm dinner rolls, or a simple green salad. These sides not only balance the meal but also help you scoop up every last drop of delicious broth—something you definitely won’t want to miss.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy presentation, ladle the soup into rustic bowls and garnish with a small sprig of fresh thyme or a lemon wedge on the side. If you’re serving guests, offer extra parsley and black pepper at the table so everyone can customize their bowl just right.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to four days. Store leftovers in an airtight container to preserve the fresh flavors and tender ingredients. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat gently on the stove.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup for up to three months. Use a freezer-safe container, leaving some room at the top as the soup will expand when frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for a comforting meal anytime you need a little pick-me-up.
Reheating
Reheat the soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the soup has thickened too much, feel free to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust seasonings just a bit if needed to refresh the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use dark meat instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs or other dark meat work beautifully in this soup. They tend to be juicier and more flavorful, which can add an extra layer of richness to your Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe.
Do I have to use fresh herbs or can I use dried?
Fresh thyme sprigs provide the best aroma and flavor, but if you only have dried herbs, use about one-third the amount and add them earlier in the cooking process to extract their flavors fully.
What if I don’t have ginger on hand?
Ginger adds a lovely warm kick to this soup, but if you are out of fresh or paste ginger, you can substitute a pinch of ground ginger or simply omit it—your soup will still be delicious and nourishing.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap the dry pasta or egg noodles for gluten-free noodles or skip them completely. The soup will remain just as comforting and tasty.
Is it better to use homemade or store-bought chicken broth?
Homemade chicken broth provides the richest flavor and depth, but a quality store-bought low sodium broth works perfectly for convenience without sacrificing taste in this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is more than just a meal—it’s a warm hug in a bowl, designed to nourish you from the inside out. So whether you’re nursing a cold or simply craving a comforting dinner, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. It’s a timeless classic that never fails to brighten the day and fill the heart with warmth.
Print
Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Get Well Chicken Soup recipe features tender chicken simmered with aromatic vegetables, fresh herbs, and a touch of ginger. Enhanced with noodles and a splash of lemon juice, this homemade soup is perfect for soothing cold days or when you need a nourishing, flavorful boost.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into ¼-inch thick half-moons
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger or ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 7 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 to 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
Chicken and Pasta
- ¾ to 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 5 ounces dry short pasta or egg noodles (about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups)
Finishing Touches
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped, for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, dried marjoram, and kosher salt. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned to release their flavor.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Increase heat to bring the soup just to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Chicken: Nestle the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the simmering broth. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer, cover the pot, and cook until the chicken is very tender and easy to chop, about 20 to 35 minutes depending on thickness.
- Remove Chicken and Herbs: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and set aside. Remove the soup from heat and discard the woody stems of the thyme sprigs, leaving the leaves in the soup.
- Cook the Noodles: Return the pot to gentle simmer, add the dry pasta or egg noodles. Simmer uncovered for 6 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender. Cooking time depends on noodle type.
- Chop Chicken: While noodles cook, chop the cooked chicken into small bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and Season: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the chopped chicken, minced fresh parsley, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Discard bay leaf.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm for a soothing and nourishing meal.
Notes
- Use low sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the soup.
- Egg noodles cook faster, so adjust simmering time accordingly if using them instead of other short pasta shapes.
- Fresh thyme sprigs provide a subtle herbal flavor; remove stems before serving as they are tough.
- The ginger adds a gentle warmth that makes this soup especially comforting when feeling under the weather.
- For variation, you can substitute chicken thighs or breasts depending on desired texture.
