Soul-Warming Chicken Soup Recipes

There's nothing more soothing than a bowl of warm chicken soup — no matter how you make it. That's why we've rounded up all our best takes, including classic recipes and some creative twists on the classic.

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Simple Chicken Soup

Skip the rigors of making flavorful stock from scratch by simply enriching store-bought chicken broth with aromatic vegetables and bones. It will help you cut down on cooking time when you want something warm and comforting.

Get the Recipe: Simple Chicken Soup

5-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Soup

Although this soup is made with just five ingredients, the cooking technique packs the soup with flavor. You start by poaching bone-in chicken thighs in chicken broth, which amps up the flavor of the broth and leaves you with meat so tender, it practically falls off the bone. A swirl of pesto at the end delivers a cheesy, herby hit and turns the soup a vibrant green.

Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

An Instant Pot can handle a whole chicken, which is perfect for this comforting soup.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Turn a comfort food favorite, chicken pot pie, into a soup, and serve it with chips made from pie dough. It's fun to play around with the classics sometimes.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Potpie Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Tyler Florence begins by simmering a whole chicken with aromatics, and then he uses the cooked chicken and the chicken stock he created to make a fresh, flavorful soup.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

A warm bowl of rich chicken soup is the ultimate soul-warming supper. Ina Garten starts by making a homemade chicken stock, which she later uses to cook the matzo balls in. Leave the skins on the onion and garlic — it gives the soup its golden hue and it all gets strained later.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Soup

Chicken Caesar Soup

Your favorite salad is reimagined as a bowl of creamy soup through this recipe. Parmesan cheese rinds in the broth amp up the umami flavors, while croutons flavored with anchovy fillets and hot sauce add a wonderful crunch.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Soup

Lemon, Chicken and Orzo Soup with Spinach

An easy way to give chicken soup a new spin? Swap your egg noodles for orzo pasta — and freshen everything up with lemon zest.

Get the Recipe: Lemon, Chicken and Orzo Soup with Spinach

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup

We chose to use chicken leg quarters rather than a whole chicken to make this well-loved soup. It shortens the cooking time without sacrificing any flavor, and the dark meat adds extra depth. Carrots, celery and onion are called for twice in the recipe — first they’re simmered whole along with the chicken and aromatics to create a rich and flavorful broth. After straining them out, sliced vegetables are added to the soup to finish it. Nothing is as simple, comforting and satisfying.

Get the Recipe: The Best Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken and Quinoa Soup

Simmer quinoa with aromatic vegetables and shredded rotisserie chicken for a nutritious bowl of warmth and comfort.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Quinoa Soup

Chicken and Dumpling Soup with Quinoa

This soup is loaded with fiber, thanks to the quinoa and the whole-wheat dumplings.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumpling Soup with Quinoa

Tuscan Chicken Soup

Ree takes chicien soup to the next level by serving it up with a creamy piece of burrata cheese and chunks of hearty, toasted sourdough bread.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup with Wild Rice and Hominy

The combination of wild rice and hominy works marvelously in this soul-warming bowl of classic chicken soup. Enrich store-bought chicken broth by adding a roast chicken carcass and fresh herbs.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Soup with Wild Rice and Hominy

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

Lemon and dill brighten up the savory flavors of this comforting soup.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and Pasta Soup

Put last night's chicken to good use by shredding the leftovers and stirring into a flavorful broth. Prepare your favorite pasta — orzo works nicely — and add to the soup right before serving.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pasta Soup

Thai Chicken Soup

This easy Thai soup is chock-full of tender chicken, rice noodles and sweet bell peppers. The comforting broth gets a creamy boost from rich coconut milk, and the green curry paste adds a satisfying dose of heat.

Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Soup

Trisha's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoky cumin, a duo of beans and bright corn give Trisha Yearwood's simple soup its tried-and-true feel, while her addition of half-and-half takes the classic recipe to the next indulgent level. Before serving, top each bowl with tortilla chips for welcome texture.

Get the Recipe: Trisha's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Egg-Drop Soup

The classic soup gets a healthier spin, thanks to low-sodium chicken broth and a good dose of leafy greens with the addition of watercress.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg-Drop Soup

Hearty Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

This chicken soup is packed with lots of good-for-you vegetables. Enhance store-bought broth with herbs and lemon for a quick soup that tastes like you simmered it all day long.

Get the Recipe: Hearty Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Chicken Nacho Soup

Instead of tortilla strips, garnish chicken soup with a comfort food favorite: nachos. For the perfect bite, dunk a chip into the soup, making sure to scoop up the chicken and hominy.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Nacho Soup

Chicken-Lentil Curry Soup

This exotic bowl of soup incorporates scallion, jalapeno and apple into coconut milk to achieve maximum flavor. It's hearty and perfect for a chilly winter evening.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken stock makes this soup even more delicious. Make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week —or freeze for up to 3 months.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken-Rice Soup

Cook the rice with tomatoes and carrots, and then puree before adding it back to the pan with veggies and tender chicken bites. It's a nourishing dinner, perfect for a chilly evening.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-Rice Soup

Chicken-and-Dumpling Soup

For the dumplings in his comforting soup, Michael Symon recommends using an ice-cream scoop to form the dough. Drop them in the hot broth and cover until the dumplings become plump and float to the surface.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-and-Dumpling Soup