5 Ingredient Chicken Soup: Quick and Easy Recipe

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5-Ingredient Chicken Soup is a quick and simple, easy recipe that tastes like it’s been cooking all day long even though it takes just an hour to make. It’s filled with boneless chicken breast, chicken broth/stock, and fresh vegetables. It’s a healthy meal that takes very little effort to put together which makes it perfect as a pantry meal for busy weeknights, and the entire family will love it.

Updated December, 2025. Rewritten for clarity with new tips.

A picture of 5 ingredient chicken soup in a bowl with crackers on the side.

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Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cook Time: 45 Minutes | Total Time: 55 Minutes
This 5-ingredient chicken soup uses chicken, onion, carrot, celery, and broth, and is ready in about 1 hour.
The chicken cooks first in water, then simmers with broth and vegetables to create a rich, homemade-style flavor.
You can use boneless or bone-in chicken, or swap in rotisserie chicken or tofu for a faster or meat-free version.
The recipe is very flexible, and you can add extra vegetables, herbs, noodles, rice, or beans to make it heartier.
Leftover soup keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Here is what you will need

a picture of ingredients for chicken soup: boneless chicken breast, celery stlks, onion, chicken broth , carrots

Ingredient List

Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (bone in chicken will work too)
Onion
Celery
Carrot
Chicken broth/stock (store-bought stock or vegetable stock)

Missing an ingredient? Find a substitute with the ingredient swap assistant!

How to Make Chicken Soup From Scratch

Prepare: Cut the vegetables into bite- sized pieces. For added depth, sauté them briefly in a drizzle of olive oil and set them aside.
Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breast into a two-quart saucepan with water. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
Add the vegetables and broth: Add the chopped vegetables to the pan along with the chicken broth or stock. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 30 minutes longer.
Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan and shred or chop it.
Cover and simmer: Place the shredded chicken back into the pan with the vegetables. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft.

a picture of four process steps needed to make 5 ingredient chicken soup

Tips & Tricks

Depending on the size of your saucepan, the chicken may not be completely covered in water, which is okay.
Make sure the vegetables are cut into evenly sized pieces for even cooking.
Add flavor to the soup by adding the juice of half of a lemon just before serving.
Take a shortcut and use shredded rotisserie chicken and replace water with broth.

Cooking for Two?

This recipe is easy to scale using the scale button in the recipe card. You can also make the full batch and enjoy leftovers or freeze portions for later (see storage tips below).

NOTE: You can use all broth to cook the chicken or all water and adjust the flavors with sea salt and black pepper.

overhead view of chicken soup in a bowl with carrots, shreds of chicken topped with fresh chopped parsley

Recipe Variations

This chicken soup recipe is a blank slate and is versatile! Here are some suggestions to make this soup your own.

Add-ins for flavor

Vegetables – During the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking the soup, add any combination of seasonal vegetables such as chopped zucchini, peas, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach or kale.

Herbs and spices – Try adding up to a teaspoon of dried herbs such as oregano, garlic, herbs de Provence, ginger, or Italian seasoning.

Pesto – Stir in a tablespoon or two of pesto sauce at the end of the cooking process.

Make it hearty with noodles and grains

Carbs – Just before serving the soup, add cooked egg noodles, ramen noodles, pasta, orzo, rice, wild rice, barley, or your favorite whole grain.

Low-carb noodles – Add uncooked zucchini or butternut squash noodles to the hot soup just before serving for a fresh and flavorful touch.

Protein options

Beans – Add an extra serving of protein and stir in a cup of white beans just before serving the soup.

Cooked chicken – This recipe is an excellent way to repurpose leftover chicken or turkey. Simply combine the broth, vegetables, and cooked meat in a pan for an even faster, hassle-free version.

Vegetarian – Replace the chicken with cooked tofu and chicken broth with vegetable broth for a meat free soup.

How to Store and Use Leftovers

Store leftover chicken soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheat leftover soup on top of the stove or in the microwave.

chicken soup in a white bowl with a spoon

Serving Suggestions

Serve this easy recipe for five-ingredient chicken soup as a garnish of chopped fresh herbs like parsley and green onions, plus a few shreds of Parmesan cheese for a quick meal.

Add a salad and a loaf of crusty bread or crackers to create a complete pantry meal.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make chicken soup with rotisserie chicken?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works very well in this recipe and makes it even faster. Cook the vegetables in about 3 cups of chicken broth until they are tender, then add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Simmer the soup for about 10 more minutes so the flavors blend.

Can I use bone-in chicken for this soup?

You can use bone-in chicken breasts or thighs for this soup. You may need to increase the cooking time in the first step so the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before you shred it. Once the chicken is cooked through, follow the recipe as written.

How can I add more flavor to this simple chicken soup?

Taste the soup once it is cooked, then adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add sea salt or kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried herbs, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You can also stir in pesto, Italian seasoning, or herbs de Provence for extra flavor.

What can I add to make the soup more filling?

To make the soup heartier, add cooked egg noodles, ramen noodles, pasta, or grains like rice, wild rice, barley, or orzo just before serving. You can also stir in white beans for more protein or add extra vegetables such as zucchini, peas, mushrooms, spinach, or kale in the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking.