Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

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A great chicken soup recipe is a must for any household, particularly during the cold and flu season! The fiber in this recipe is pumped up with the addition of quinoa and vegetables. 212 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (1)

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables

As many of us are freezing of our behinds in these winter temperatures, I thought it was high time for another soup recipe. And nothing is better for warming the soul and the belly than a hearty chicken soup recipe.

And since many of you are walking, running, skiing and snowshoeing in these frigid temps and burning some serious calories, I knew it needed to be something that was not only warming and satisfying, but would also fuel you with whole grains and lean protein.

Enter...chicken quinoa soup with plenty of veggies to help meet your daily fruit and veggie goals.

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (2)

How do you make easy chicken soup?

  • This soup follows a basic formula, which makes it easy to switch up the ingredients depending on what's available in your fridge and pantry. Also, it just uses one large saucepan, which means less dishes to clean!
  • Start by sautéing the chicken in the saucepan with some olive oil until the chicken just turns white on the outside. It will cook more in the simmering stage. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set aside.
  • Next, sauté the veggies and herbs. In this case, that's shallots, carrot, celery and dried thyme.
  • Stir in the dry quinoa, broth and chicken, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook until the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Add the peas in the last few minutes so that they don't become overcooked and start to shrivel.
  • Feel free to switch out a small pasta, such as ditalini or orzo, for the quinoa. If you decide to sub the quinoa with a longer-cooking grain, such as barley or farro, hold off on the adding the chicken until the last 10 to 15 minutes so that it doesn't become tough. Also, you'll need to increase the amount of broth to compensate for any evaporation during the longer cooking time.
  • You'll likely have leftovers. If you don't feel like slurping up the rest for lunch the next day, the soup freezes well.

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (3)

What do you need for this chicken soup recipe?

  • A large saucepan: If you're hoping to cut back on the amount of olive oil you use, either a nonstick saucepan (affiliate) or a ceramic saucepan are the way to go. That being said, a stainless steel one works just as well - you might find you need to lightly coat it with cooking spray or increase the olive oil.
  • Olive oil: Since you're just using it to sauté the chicken and vegetables, a light olive oil (rather than a really flavorful drizzling olive oil) will do.
  • Vegetables: Shallots, carrots, celery and garlic all add flavor for the base of the soup. Frozen green peas are added at the end.
  • Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe, but chicken thighs - or a combination of the two - would also work well.
  • Chicken broth: I used a regular, fat-free chicken broth for this recipe. If you're watching your sodium, swap it with a reduced sodium broth.
  • Seasonings: Simple as can be! Dried thyme, salt and pepper.

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (4)

Other healthy soup recipes:

{Cookin' Canuck}
{Cookin' Canuck}
Black Bean & Butternut Soup {Sprouted Kitchen}
Sweet Potato, Carrot & Red Lentil Soup {Green Kitchen Stories}

Printable Recipe

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (5)

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables

A great chicken soup recipe is a must for any household, particularly during the cold and flu season! The fiber in this recipe is pumped up with the addition of quinoa and vegetables. 212 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soups

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Gluten Free, Healthy Dinner Recipes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 212.1kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ teaspoons olive oil divided
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch cubes
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ large shallots minced
  • 1 ½ cups diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup cup quinoa
  • 5 ¼ cups 99% fat-free chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast meat, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken has just turned white on the outside. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

  • Reduce heat to medium and add 1½ teaspoons olive oil to the pan. Add chopped shallot, carrots, celery, and dried thyme. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are just tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

  • Stir in quinoa, chicken broth and chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer until quinoa is translucent, about 15 minutes.

  • Add frozen peas and heat for additional 5 minutes. Taste and season with additional ground pepper, if desired. Stir in chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 5 (Points+)

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 212.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 21.4g | Protein: 22.4g | Fat: 3.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44.5mg | Sodium: 914.7mg | Fiber: 3.3g | Sugar: 2.8g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (6)

This recipe was originally published on January 8, 2014, and has been updated.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (7)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Arpita Patel

    Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (12)
    Great recipe. I make a big pot at the beginning of each week and have it for lunch and it’s so healthy and delicious. Thanks

    Reply

  2. Rocky Mountain Woman

    Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (13)
    This looks so healthy and hearty! Just what I need on this cold, snowy day.

    Reply

  3. Robin M

    I noticed in the photo above, that the quinoa was in a 1/2 measuring cup . Is the 1 cup of quinoa in the recipe correct ?

    Reply

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Chicken Soup Recipe with Quinoa & Vegetables | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Does quinoa thicken soup? ›

Quinoa does absorb a good amount of liquid, so it is great for making a thicker soup (almost stew) consistency.

What are the healthiest vegetables to put in soup? ›

Root vegetables such as squash and potatoes add a good element of heartiness and fiber. Carrots and zucchini hold up well in broth and kale or Swiss chard add nice flavor, a splash of color and a serious dose of nutrition. Tomatoes and tomato paste give your recipe an Italian twist.

How to add extra flavor to chicken soup? ›

How To Add More Flavor To Chicken Noodle Soup
  1. Homemade Chicken Broth. The secret to a flavorful chicken noodle soup lies in the broth. ...
  2. Add Fresh Herbs. ...
  3. Splash of Acid. ...
  4. Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce. ...
  5. Spice it Up. ...
  6. Roasted Vegetables. ...
  7. Experiment with Spices. ...
  8. Parmesan Cheese.
Jan 31, 2024

What makes a bowl of soup more flavorful? ›

Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness. Add ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, soy sauce, miso, or seaweed to enhance the flavor of your soup. Use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil or thyme to add fresh flavor to your soup.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Do I have to wash quinoa before cooking? ›

Most commercially sold quinoa has already undergone a process to remove the coating, and this information is usually indicated on the package. If it's not mentioned, or if you buy quinoa in bulk without packaging, you'll definitely want to rinse it.

What is the best soup to eat everyday? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What is the least healthiest soup? ›

Clam chowder nutrition

And Walsh agrees, “Clam chowder is one of the worst soups a person can eat. It's high in fat, calories and sodium.” There is 180 calories in a cup of clam chowder. The macronutrient breakdown in a cup of clam chowder is 20 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein.

Is it OK to eat vegetable soup everyday? ›

For those wanting a more intense regime, a vegetable soup can replace two meals a day for five to seven days without any negative side effects. Although much of the weight loss will be fluid, sometimes all we need to feel leaner and healthier is a flatter stomach and a kilo or two less on the scales.

Why do you put lemon juice in chicken soup? ›

Lemons are a chicken soup game changer. Why? They brighten up and balance the salty, rich flavors of the dish, and make all of the ingredients come into line. Like a vinaigrette on a salad, the pickle on a burger, and the sour cream in a coffee cake, a squeeze of lemon gives chicken soup a game-changing brightness.

How do you fix tasteless chicken soup? ›

Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

How to spruce up chicken soup? ›

  1. Start with a flavorful broth. Use a good quality low sodium chicken broth or make your own.
  2. Add aromatic vegetables, such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
  3. Add herbs and spices. A few great choices are thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary.
  4. Try adding some acidity. ...
  5. Add dairy. ...
  6. Experiment with different proteins.
Dec 14, 2017

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

How do you add depth to chicken soup? ›

Herbs and Spices:Fresh or dried herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, and dill can add depth to the flavor. Bay leaves are commonly used in chicken soup for a subtle earthy taste. Ground black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a hint of heat.

Is quinoa a thickener? ›

The result on both occasions is that quinoa is indeed an excellent soup thickener, on account of the amount of water it absorbs.

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

About this method: One of the most common ways to thicken sauces and soups is with a starch-based slurry, and cornstarch is a popular choice. Cornstarch is flavorless, easy to mix up, and versatile, which makes it a go-to pantry ingredient.

Can quinoa flour be used as a thickener? ›

Can I use quinoa flour as a thickener? Yes, you can combine quinoa flour and butter to make a roux and thicken gravy or stews.

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