Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Medley Soup
On a chilly rainy night, I craved a comforting bowl of soup that was both satisfying and healthy. This Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Medley Soup combines tender chicken breasts with a vibrant mix of vegetables, creating a delicious twist on the traditional chicken noodle soup. Perfect for those following the South Beach Diet, this dish not only warms you up but also nourishes your body with wholesome ingredients. Ideal for meal prep, it keeps well in the fridge and can be easily reheated for a quick and nutritious meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
2 large (boneless, skinless)
chicken broth
64 ounces (low sodium)
broccoli
2 cups (chopped)
celery
2 stalks (sliced)
zucchini
1 cup (chopped)
onion
1 small (chopped)
garlic
4 cloves (minced)
poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon
cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon
salt
1 teaspoon
dried parsley
1 tablespoon
bay leaves
2
Instructions
1
Start by placing the chicken breasts in a large pot and adding the chicken broth, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, salt, dried parsley, garlic cloves, sliced celery, and chopped onion.
2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, covering the pot partially. Let it simmer for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender enough to be easily shredded.
3
Once the chicken is ready, carefully remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
4
Add the chopped broccoli and zucchini to the pot and continue to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.
5
Before serving, make sure to remove the bay leaves and give the soup a good stir.
6
Serve hot, and enjoy this nutritious and hearty soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Medley Soup?
It is a comforting and healthy twist on traditional chicken noodle soup that combines tender chicken breasts with a vibrant mix of vegetables, perfect for the South Beach Diet.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, chicken broth, broccoli, celery, zucchini, onion, garlic, and various seasonings.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be simmered in the broth mixture for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours until it is tender enough to be easily shredded.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this soup is ideal for meal prep as it keeps well in the fridge and can be easily reheated for a nutritious meal.
What seasonings are used in this recipe?
The seasonings include poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, salt, dried parsley, and bay leaves.
How do I prepare the chicken for the soup?
The chicken breasts should be boneless and skinless. They are simmered whole and then shredded with two forks after cooking.
When should I add the broccoli and zucchini?
Add the chopped broccoli and zucchini to the pot after the chicken has been shredded and returned to the soup, then cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 64 ounces of low-sodium chicken broth.
Is this soup low-carb?
Yes, it is tagged as a low-carb recipe and uses vegetables instead of noodles or rice.
How many chicken breasts do I need?
The recipe requires 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
What preparation is needed for the garlic?
You should use 4 cloves of garlic, minced.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
The pot should be partially covered while the chicken mixture simmers over medium heat.
What kind of onion should be used?
The recipe specifies using 1 small onion, chopped.
How much zucchini is included?
The recipe uses 1 cup of chopped zucchini.
How many stalks of celery are needed?
You will need 2 stalks of celery, sliced.
What amount of broccoli is added?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chopped broccoli.
Are bay leaves left in the soup?
No, you should remove the two bay leaves before serving the soup.
How much cajun seasoning is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning.
What is the amount of poultry seasoning?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning.
How much salt should I add?
Use 1 teaspoon of salt as directed in the ingredients.
What type of parsley is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
Is this soup appropriate for a rainy night?
Yes, the author specifically created this recipe to be a comforting and warming dish for chilly, rainy nights.
Can I substitute the seasonings?
While the recipe calls for specific seasonings like cajun and poultry seasoning, you can adjust them to your personal taste preference.
Is the soup spicy?
The inclusion of 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning adds a bit of flavor, but the overall soup is intended to be comforting rather than overly spicy.
What makes this a 'medley' soup?
It is called a medley because it features a vibrant mix of different vegetables including broccoli, zucchini, celery, and onion.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and involves simple simmering and chopping steps.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is placing the chicken, broth, aromatics, and seasonings into a large pot.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken is ready when it is cooked through and tender enough to be easily shredded with forks.
Is there any sugar in this soup?
No, based on the ingredient list, there is no added sugar.
How should the soup be served?
The soup should be stirred well and served hot for the best experience.