If you’re longing for a bowl of pure comfort that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day or when you’re under the weather, then I’ve got just the thing for you. This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is everything you want in homemade chicken soup—hearty, nourishing, and bursting with fresh flavors that will lift your spirits instantly. It’s a blend of tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and fragrant herbs simmered to perfection, perfect to soothe both body and soul whenever you need that little extra boost.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe are simple, pantry-friendly, and each plays a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that come together beautifully. The fresh herbs and bright lemon juice truly make this soup feel like a breath of fresh air in a bowl.
- Olive oil or butter: Adds richness and helps soften the veggies, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
- Diced yellow onion: Provides sweetness and depth to the broth as it gently cooks down.
- Carrots sliced into ¼-inch half-moons: Bring natural sweetness and a pop of bright color.
- Diced celery: Offers a subtle crunch and an earthy undertone to balance the flavors.
- Minced garlic: A punch of savory aroma and flavor that wakes up the senses.
- Grated ginger or ginger paste: Adds a gentle warmth and a hint of zest perfect for recovery days.
- Dried marjoram: Infuses a mild, slightly minty flavor that enhances the herbaceous notes.
- Kosher salt: Essential to bring out the flavors of all the ingredients, adjusted to taste.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Forms the hearty base, allowing you to control salt and savor a clean, comforting broth.
- Fresh thyme sprigs: Provide an aromatic fragrance and subtle earthiness to the soup.
- Bay leaf: Adds complexity and depth when simmered with the broth.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: The star protein, cooked tender to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- Dry short pasta or egg noodles: Thicken the soup with a soft, chewy texture, perfect for every spoonful.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds just the right amount of spicy warmth.
- Minced fresh parsley: Brings a bright, fresh finish to the soup.
- Lemon juice: Lifts all the flavors with a refreshing tang that awakens the palate.
- Fresh parsley for serving: A final flourish that adds color and fresh herb aroma.
How to Make Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Begin by heating olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, sliced carrots, and celery, cooking them gently with occasional stirring. This softens the vegetables while coaxing out their natural sweetness, building an inviting foundation for your soup.
Step 2: Add Aromatics and Seasonings
Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, dried marjoram, and kosher salt. Cook for about 30 seconds just until you smell the irresistible fragrance filling your kitchen. These flavor boosters meld beautifully and bring a subtle warmth to the broth.
Step 3: Pour the Broth and Add Herbs
Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and toss in the fresh thyme sprigs along with the bay leaf. Turn up the heat to bring everything to a gentle simmer. This stage allows the herbal notes and broth to mingle and deepen.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Gently
Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs to the simmering broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chicken cook slowly until it’s tender and easy to shred or chop—about 20 to 35 minutes depending on thickness. This ensures moist, flavorful meat that’s perfect in every bite.
Step 5: Remove Chicken and Herbs
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board for chopping. Remove the pot from the heat and take out the woody thyme stems, leaving the delicate leaves behind to keep infusing the soup. This step enhances texture without unwanted toughness.
Step 6: Cook the Pasta in the Broth
Bring the soup back to a simmer and stir in your dry short pasta or egg noodles. Let them cook uncovered for the time recommended on the package, usually between 6 and 11 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick. This step cooks the noodles directly in the flavorful broth, absorbing all that goodness.
Step 7: Chop the Chicken
While the noodles are cooking, chop your tender chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. This makes sure each spoonful has a pleasant, easy-to-eat texture.
Step 8: Combine and Final Touches
Remove the pot from the heat and return the chopped chicken to the soup. Stir in minced fresh parsley and a generous splash of lemon juice to brighten the entire dish. Taste and adjust with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf, and your healing bowl of joy is ready to serve!
How to Serve Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley right before serving adds a burst of color and freshness, making the soup as pretty as it is delicious. If you like a little extra zing, a small wedge of lemon on the side is a lovely choice for guests to add according to taste.
Side Dishes
Pair your soup with a crusty slice of artisan bread or a warm buttered roll to soak up every last drop. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also complements the rich, comforting flavors of this classic chicken soup beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe in individual mini crocks or bread bowls for a cozy, rustic touch. You can also elevate presentation by garnishing with additional fresh herbs, a drizzle of good quality olive oil, or even a sprinkle of parmesan for a subtle savory note.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This soup keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Because it contains pasta, it will continue to soak up broth and thicken, so stirring in a splash of chicken broth or water before reheating can help restore its perfect texture.
Freezing
To freeze, leave out the pasta and add it fresh when reheating. Store the soup base with chicken and vegetables in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently over medium-low heat, adding more broth or water if needed to loosen the soup. If you froze the soup without pasta, cook fresh pasta separately and stir it in just before serving. This keeps the noodles from becoming mushy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in the Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe and add extra moisture and flavor. Cooking times may be slightly longer depending on thickness.
What can I substitute if I don’t have fresh thyme?
If fresh thyme isn’t available, dried thyme can be used at about one-third the amount. Alternatively, fresh rosemary or oregano can provide an herbal touch, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Is it better to use homemade or store-bought chicken broth?
Homemade chicken broth is always fantastic for richer flavor, but a good quality, low sodium store-bought broth works just fine and saves time. Just be mindful of the salt content when seasoning.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
You can! Swap out the chicken for hearty vegetables or plant-based protein, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Adjust herbs and seasoning as needed for a flavorful vegetarian option.
How do I keep the noodles from getting mushy in leftovers?
The best way is to cook the soup without noodles if you plan to store or freeze it. Prepare the noodles fresh when you’re ready to eat and add them to reheated soup for a perfectly textured meal.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like a bowl of homemade chicken soup to lift your mood and nourish you from the inside out. This Get Well Chicken Soup Recipe is simple, adaptable, and comforting in the most delicious way. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want a cozy meal, it’s a go-to bowl of goodness that I absolutely encourage you to try soon. You won’t regret it!
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
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
A comforting and nourishing Get Well Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs simmered in a savory low sodium chicken broth, finished with pasta and fresh lemon juice for brightness. Perfect for easing cold symptoms or simply enjoying a wholesome homemade meal.
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
Protein
- ¾ to 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Pasta and Garnish
- 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
- Heat base ingredients: 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 and season: Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, dried marjoram, and kosher salt to the pot. Cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant, to build the flavor base.
- Add broth and herbs: Pour the low sodium chicken broth into the soup pot. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the chicken: Nestle the boneless skinless chicken into the broth. Reduce the 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, or longer if using thick pieces.
- Prepare for noodles: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board. Remove the soup from heat. Remove and discard the woody stems from the thyme sprigs, leaving the leaves behind in the soup.
- Cook the noodles: Return the soup pot to a gentle simmer. Add the dry pasta or egg noodles. Simmer uncovered for the time indicated on the pasta package, usually 6 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Chop the chicken: While the noodles cook, chop the tender chicken into small bite-size pieces.
- Finish and serve: Remove the pot from heat. Add the chopped chicken back into the soup. Stir in the minced fresh parsley and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and adjust seasoning at the end.
- Short pasta such as ditalini, small shells, or egg noodles work well; cooking times vary so follow package instructions.
- Ginger adds a soothing warmth perfect for colds, but can be adjusted or omitted if preferred.
- Adding lemon juice brightens the soup and enhances the flavors.
- Use either boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs depending on preference; thighs stay moister.
