When you need something comforting, nourishing, and bursting with flavors that feel like a warm hug, this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is the perfect go-to. It’s packed with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and that lovely blend of herbs and spices that come together to soothe and uplift. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want a wholesome meal to brighten your day, this recipe combines simplicity and heartiness in every bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, wholesome, and essential. Each one plays a key role in building the rich taste, beautiful texture, and inviting color that make this soup so irresistible.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter: Adds a silky base and helps soften the vegetables beautifully.
- 1 cup diced yellow onion: Brings natural sweetness and depth to the broth.
- 3 medium carrots (sliced into ¼-inch thick half-moons): Adds a lovely color and gentle sweetness that balances the savory flavors.
- 2 ribs celery (diced): Provides crisp texture and an aromatic note that’s classic in any good chicken soup.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Offers a flavorful punch that enhances every spoonful.
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger or ginger paste: A subtle zing that warms you from the inside out and boosts immunity.
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram: A herb that adds a unique, slightly sweet earthiness.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste): Essential for seasoning and bringing all flavors into harmony.
- 7 cups low sodium chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that ties everything together without overwhelming saltiness.
- 2 to 3 fresh thyme sprigs: Provides woodsy, herbal notes, perfect for slow-simmered soups.
- 1 bay leaf: Infuses subtle depth and rounds out the aromatic profile.
- ¾ to 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Tender protein that melts into the soup and satisfies hunger.
- 5 ounces dry short pasta or egg noodles (about 1¼ to 1½ cups): Adds comforting body and texture to the soup; adjust cooking time depending on pasta choice.
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste): Gives just the right spicy warmth before serving.
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley: Beautifies and brightens the flavors with fresh herbal notes.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Lifts the whole soup with a zesty freshness that makes the flavors pop.
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped, for serving): A final flourish of green that brings vibrancy and freshness to every bowl.
How to Make Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Base Vegetables
Start by heating the olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook gently, stirring now and then, until these vegetables start to soften and release their sweet aromas—about 5 to 6 minutes. This step builds the flavorful foundation of your soup, so take your time to get those veggies just right.
Step 2: Add Aromatics and Spices
Next, stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, dried marjoram, and kosher salt. Let them cook for just about 30 seconds until your kitchen is filled with a fragrant melody. These ingredients awaken the soup with bold and comforting notes that are essential in this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe.
Step 3: Pour in the Broth and Herbs
Pour the low sodium chicken broth into the pot, then add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Turn up the heat just enough to bring the soup to a gentle simmer. This simmer will help marry all the flavors gradually, capturing the essence of every herb and vegetable in the broth.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Nestle your choice of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the simmering broth. Lower the heat to keep a low simmer, cover the pot, and let the chicken cook until it’s tender enough to shred easily—this usually takes between 20 to 35 minutes. Don’t rush this part; tender chicken is the heart of the soup.
Step 5: Remove and Chop Chicken
Once the chicken is perfectly tender, carefully transfer it to a cutting board. Meanwhile, remove the soup from heat and discard the woody stems of the thyme sprigs—most of the fragrant leaves will remain in the pot, seeping flavor. Chop the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces to prepare for the next step.
Step 6: Cook the Noodles
Bring the pot back to a gentle simmer and add the dry short pasta or egg noodles. Let it cook uncovered according to the package’s instructions, typically between 6 and 11 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking and ensure it cooks evenly. This step adds a comforting chewy texture that is pure soul food.
Step 7: Final Assembly
Turn off the heat and stir the chopped chicken back into the soup. Add minced fresh parsley and the bright splash of lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with extra salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf before ladling your cozy, hearty soup into bowls.
How to Serve Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley sprinkled on top not only brightens the color but also adds a vibrant herbal note that contrasts beautifully with the warm broth. If you like, a small wedge of lemon on the side can add a fresh zing that guests can squeeze in as they like. A light drizzle of good olive oil can also add a smooth, luxurious finish.
Side Dishes
This soup stands wonderfully on its own, but serving it alongside crusty bread or warm dinner rolls makes it even more satisfying. A simple side salad with crisp greens and a light vinaigrette can balance the richness, while buttery garlic toast hits all the right comfort notes for a cozy meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, serve the soup in small, rustic ceramic bowls garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme or a twist of lemon peel. You can also ladle it over a scoop of cooked rice or quinoa for a heartier presentation. If you’re bringing the soup to a gathering, a large slow cooker set to warm is a fantastic way to keep it ready for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftover Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to four days, making it a perfect meal to enjoy later without losing any of its comforting qualities.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup for up to three months. For best results, avoid adding the noodles before freezing, as they tend to become mushy. Instead, freeze the broth, chicken, and vegetables separately. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and cook fresh pasta just before serving.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the soup feels too thick after refrigeration or freezing, simply thin it out with a bit of chicken broth or water. Freshen it up again at the end with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
FAQs
Can I use leftover cooked chicken instead of cooking raw chicken in the soup?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked chicken is a great shortcut. Just add it during the final steps to warm through without overcooking, keeping your soup tender and flavorful.
What if I don’t have fresh thyme sprigs? Can I use dried thyme instead?
Yes, you can substitute dried thyme. Use about 1 teaspoon and add it earlier with the spices. It won’t be as bright as fresh, but it will still add that lovely herbaceous note.
Is there a substitute for ginger in this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe?
If you don’t have fresh or paste ginger, ground ginger can work in a pinch—use sparingly, around ¼ teaspoon—to avoid overpowering the soup’s gentle flavors.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Definitely! Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add hearty mushrooms or tofu for protein. Keep all the aromatic veggies and herbs to build the comforting base.
Why is lemon juice added at the end of the soup?
Lemon juice adds a bright, fresh acidity that lifts the overall flavor, balancing the richness of the chicken and broth. Adding it last preserves its fresh taste rather than cooking it off.
Final Thoughts
This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is like a gentle embrace in a bowl, made with simple ingredients that come together to nurture and comfort. It’s a recipe that warms the soul and makes any day a little brighter. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and experience just how healing and delicious homemade soup can be.
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
A comforting Get Well Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs simmered to perfection. This hearty soup combines broth, ginger, garlic, and noodles for a nourishing, warming meal perfect for feeling better fast.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 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
- 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)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté 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 about 30 seconds more, just until fragrant.
- Simmer broth and herbs: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Increase the heat and bring the soup just to a gentle simmer.
- Cook chicken: Nestle the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the simmering broth. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer, cover, and cook until the chicken is very tender and easy to chop, approximately 20 to 35 minutes.
- Remove chicken and herb stems: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board. Remove the soup pot from the heat. Discard the woody stems of the thyme sprigs, leaving the leaves in the soup.
- Cook noodles: Return the soup to a gentle simmer. Add the dry short pasta or egg noodles. Simmer uncovered for the time indicated on the pasta package, typically 6 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Chop chicken: While noodles cook, chop the tender chicken into small bite-size pieces.
- Finish soup: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the chopped chicken back into the soup. Stir in minced fresh parsley and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and enhance flavor balance.
- Egg noodles cook faster than other pasta types, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For a dairy-free version, use olive oil instead of butter.
