How to make chicken soup

Warming, uplifting and super satisfying, the best chicken soup is always homemade. But with hundreds of chicken soup recipes out there, it can be confusing to know which to follow. We’ll show you how to simplify it. With just a few basic steps, here’s your step-by-step guide to making your favourite version every time. 

Fry onions in a splash of olive oil. 

Kick off your soup with a delicious flavour base. Sautéing your onions will give your soup a sweet depth of flavour. You can throw in ginger and chillies for an Asian vibe, garlic, woody herbs like rosemary or thyme, or leeks for extra sweetness.

The stock is essential for a good chicken soup

Knorr Chicken Stock Cubes are made with the perfect balance of herbs and spices to enhance your dish. Make a chicken stock by mixing a Knorr Chicken Stock Cube or Stock Pot with boiling water, then pour it into the pan.  

Throw in the chicken.

Poach the chicken in the stock by adding small pieces of chicken to cook for around 7 minutes, like this Chicken & mushroom soup recipe or by poaching whole chicken legs for around 30 minutes. Chicken soup is a great way to use up leftover chicken too! Shred it into the broth and allow it to warm through towards the end of the cooking time.

Bulk it out.

Now’s the time to add some filling sustenance. Throw in rice or noodles for an Asian-style soup, like this Asian chicken soup or Chicken pho noodle soup, use the odds and ends of pasta packets for a Chicken & pasta soup, or add chunky root vegetables, like sweet potato or celeriac. 

Get your greens.

When it comes to vegetables, anything goes! Throw in whatever you’ve got in your pantry or freezer; add crunchy veggies, like broccoli florets, asparagus, green beans or peas. This Spring vegetable & chicken soup is a good start. Try leafy greens, like spinach, kale or chard, or choose Asian veggies, like sugar snap peas or pak choi. Now, cook until tender.  

Season to taste. 

If it’s not already tasting fantastic, liven up your lovely broth. Season with black pepper and herbs, squeeze in citrus for extra zing or add a Knorr Mixed Herbs Flavour Pot for fresh flavour. Balance out your Hot & sour chicken soup with chilli and vinegar, or for Asian-style soups, like this Chicken & sweetcorn dumpling soup, swap salt for reduced-salt soy sauce or use fish sauce sparingly. 

Finish with flourish.

How you serve your soup can transform it from the everyday to something really special. Scatter over fresh herbs, like coriander or parsley, add a drizzle of chilli oil, extra virgin olive oil or pesto, top with toasted nuts, finely sliced red onion or a dollop of low-fat Greek yoghurt (try it on this Chicken & rice soup!). Toasted croutons work wonders with Creamy chicken soup or mop up this dal-inspired Chicken & lentil soup with chapatis or naan breads. 

Take it to go.

Lunch al desko needn’t be a sandwich. Layer up the ingredients for a chicken noodle soup in a heatproof flask, using leftover cooked chicken, quick-cook noodles, green leaves and a little Knorr Chicken Stock Cube or Pot. Take it to work, pour in boiling water at lunchtime, stir well and there you have it - warming chicken soup on the go. 

Love your leftovers.

The great thing about soup recipes is they freeze really easily. Store leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months - just make sure you label them with a name and date so you know what you’re eating! 

Keep leftover chicken carcasses, bones and vegetable peelings in a sealable bag in the freezer, then use it as a base for a delicious stock. Simmer in plenty of water with a Knorr Chicken Stock Cube, then strain and use for soups, stews and risottos.

For more delicious soup recipes, gives these a go.