Chicken soup in a bowl with Knorr Chicken stock cube on the side

Meat & Poultry

How to Make a Truly Healthy and Delicious Chicken Soup with Knorr

Discover how to make a truly healthy chicken soup with Knorr's expert tips, focusing on incorporating a rainbow of vegetables, choosing wholegrain carbohydrates, lean meats, and experimenting with flavourful, low-fat additions. This guide empowers you to create nutritious and delicious chicken soup that's both uplifting and satisfying, perfect for boosting your well-being.

A comforting bowl of chicken soup is the ultimate pick-me-up – it's warming, incredibly nutritious, and a fantastic way to boost your vegetable intake or support your recovery when you're feeling under the weather. Knorr brings you a collection of easy, wholesome tips to elevate your homemade chicken soup, ensuring every spoonful is packed with flavour and goodness.

Eat The Rainbow: Pack Your Soup with Colourful Veggies

Unlock the full nutritional potential of your chicken soup by embracing the 'eat the rainbow' philosophy. The beauty of homemade soup is its versatility – you can add a generous medley of vegetables to boost flavour and nutrients. Aim for a vibrant mix: think leafy greens like spinach or kale, bright red peppers, versatile courgettes, and hearty root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips. The more variety and colour you incorporate, the wider the spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you'll be adding to your bowl. For inspiration, consider bulking out recipes like our Spring Vegetable & Chicken Soup or Chicken & Mushroom Soup with an abundance of colourful vegetables.

Choose Wholegrain for Sustained Energy

Elevate your chicken soup by opting for wholegrain varieties of rice and pasta. Swapping white rice or pasta for their brown, wholegrain counterparts in dishes like Chicken & Rice Soup or Chicken & Pasta Soup not only adds a delightful texture but significantly boosts the nutritional value. Complex wholegrain carbohydrates are digested more slowly, providing sustained energy release that keeps you feeling fuller for longer. This makes them an excellent choice for a hearty meal, especially when you need that extra boost to get you through the day.

Boost Flavour, Not Fat: Smart Swaps for Creaminess

Achieve rich, satisfying flavour in your chicken soup without the excess fat. Start by browning your chicken in a separate pan; this process unlocks its natural, delicious flavours. Be sure to discard any excess fat left in the pan afterwards. As your soup simmers, gently skim off any fat that rises to the surface. For a wonderfully creamy texture, consider healthier alternatives: a dollop of low-fat yoghurt can add a lovely tang to a Lentil & Chicken Soup, while a swirl of milk can create a silky, smooth finish for a Chicken & Pasta Soup.

Opt for Lean Protein Sources

When making your chicken soup, selecting lean cuts of meat is key to a healthy, protein-rich meal. Chicken or turkey breast are excellent choices, providing high-quality protein without unnecessary saturated fats. To keep your soup lean and healthy, always remove the skin from poultry before cooking. Leftover white meat from a Sunday roast can also be a convenient and lean addition, shredded directly into your soup.

Experiment with Flavour: Herbs, Spices, and Knorr's Secret Ingredients

Elevate your chicken soup from simple to sensational by experimenting with exciting flavour combinations. A simple squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice can add a bright, zesty 'zing' to dishes like Chicken Pho Noodle Soup. For a delightful umami boost, try a sprinkle of grated mature cheese over your Spring Vegetable & Chicken Soup – the older the cheese, the richer the flavour!

Dried mushrooms, such as shiitake or porcini, are flavour powerhouses; rehydrate them in boiling water, then strain the flavourful liquid into your soup before chopping and adding the mushrooms for an earthy depth. Don't forget the power of fresh or dried herbs like thyme, coriander, or oregano to add fragrant notes. For a flavourful base without the extra salt, reach for Knorr's reduced-sodium stock cubes – your secret weapon for delicious, well-seasoned soup.

Boost Protein Power with Add-ins

Supercharge your chicken soup by adding extra protein-rich ingredients. Consider bulking out your soup with nutritious pulses and beans, or incorporating ancient grains like quinoa or wild rice for added texture and protein. For an instant protein boost, crack in an egg directly into the simmering soup, or scatter some toasted nuts over the top.

Tofu is another excellent plant-based option to add. Explore more ways to protein-power your chicken soups [link to relevant Knorr page/article]. As you prepare your favourite Knorr chicken soup recipes, keep these simple tips in mind to create a truly satisfying and nourishing meal.