Homemade Healthy Chicken Soup (No Noodles)

This Healthy Chicken Soup is made with tender chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and hearty vegetables simmered in chicken broth. It is a simple recipe that is nourishing and comforting.

Why You'll Love This Healthy Chicken Soup

Warm your soul this soup season with a comforting and nourishing bowl of homemade healthy chicken soup. It's packed with tender chicken thighs, hearty vegetables, and aromatic herbs. If you've tried my Gluten-Free Zuppa Toscana Soup, you know I believe simplicity can deliver incredible flavor. Here are some reasons why you will love this recipe:

• Simple comfort food: We swap traditional noodles for white sweet potato, which adds a delicious sweetness and makes the soup incredibly filling.
• Unforgettable flavor: This isn't just any chicken soup; it's the best you'll ever have! The combination of aromatic fresh herbs creates a uniquely delicious and comforting flavor.

Healthy Chicken Soup Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing, delicious, healthy chicken soup:

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil: A little olive oil helps sear the chicken and sauté the vegetables. For added richness, substitute half of the olive oil for butter or ghee.
• Chicken: You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I recommend using chicken thighs for the best flavor!
• White Sweet Potato: If you can't find white sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold or red potatoes make excellent substitutes.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs truly make this soup shine! We use a fragrant blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, sage, and two bay leaves. If fresh herbs aren't available, you can substitute dried. Start with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, ½ teaspoon of dried rosemary, and ½ teaspoon of dried sage, then adjust to your taste.
• Chicken Broth: Look for a high-quality organic chicken broth or bone broth that is low in sodium, without added sugar. 
• White Wine: To add depth of flavor to the soup, we deglaze the pot with wine. If you prefer to keep this recipe alcohol-free, simply use additional chicken broth instead.
• Parmesan Rind: Adding the rind to the pot while the soup is simmering provides additional flavor.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up the soup and adds a delcious flavor.

Find the printable recipe card with full instructions and measurements below.

How To Make Healthy Chicken Soup

• Step 1: Sear the chicken. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear each side until a golden crust develops, then transfer to a plate.
• Step 2: Sauté the fresh veggies and bloom the aromatics. Add another tablespoon of oil or butter to the Dutch oven and heat over medium. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots, cooking for 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and black pepper, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to let the herbs bloom in the hot oil.
• Step 3: Deglaze the pot, then add the remaining ingredients. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, simmering for about 30 seconds until it becomes syrupy. Next, add the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then stir in the potatoes, seared chicken, bay leaves, and Parmesan rind. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F.
• Step 4:  Shred the chicken and add the lemon juice. Remove the Parmesan rind (we like to leave it in!) and the bay leaves. Using tongs, transfer the chicken thighs to a cutting board and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon. Garnish with fresh parsley.  

Substitutions & Variations

• Dairy-Free - To keep this recipe dairy-free, saute the vegetables in olive oil and leave out the Parmesan rind.
• Creamy Chicken Soup - For an extra creamy soup, reduce the chicken broth to 8 cups and add 1 cup of half and half or heavy cream at the end.
• Use leftover chicken or turkey - Any leftover cooked chicken, turkey, or rotisserie chicken can be used to save time. Shred the chicken then and add it at the end of the cooking.
• Add Sherry - Instead of white wine, you can use an equal amount of sherry cooking wine to bring extra depth to the chicken soup.
• Add Noodles - This veggie-packed soup will need an additional 2-3 cups of broth for 1-2 cups of noodles. Add the noodles halfway through the cooking time (about the ten-minute mark) and cook until tender. Add more broth if needed.

Expert Tips

• Bloom your spices for a deeper flavor: Adding fresh spices to hot oil allows them to "bloom," unlocking their full aromatic potential and infusing the soup base with incredible depth of flavor.
• Sear the chicken for maximum flavor: While poaching or using rotisserie chicken can save time, searing the chicken before adding it to the soup is highly recommended. This crucial step adds a rich, savory dimension that significantly enhances the overall taste of this homemade chicken soup.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this chicken soup on its own or with flavorful sides:

• Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
• Glute-Free Honey Cornbread
• Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Biscuits With Sage and Rosemary
• Arugula Salad With Parmesan

Storage Instructions

• Storage: Keep the soup in the Dutch oven with a covered lid, or transfer the soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until warm.
• Freezing: Freeze this chicken soup for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator the day before eating, and then reheat on the stove until warm.

Common Questions

More Healthy Recipes You'll Love

I hope you love this healthy chicken soup recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

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