Heart-Healthy Classic Chicken Soup

Nourish your body and soothe your soul with our Heart-Healthy Classic Chicken Soup, a wholesome take on a timeless comfort food. Packed with lean boneless skinless chicken breasts, vibrant vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion, and a rich base of low-sodium chicken broth, this recipe is designed to support heart health without sacrificing flavor. Infused with aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley, and optionally enhanced with the fiber boost of whole grain pasta, this soup comes together in under an hour, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or meal-prep option. Whether you're seeking a warm bowl to weather a chilly day or simply looking to prioritize a balanced, low-sodium meal, this chicken soup delivers on both nutrition and taste. Serve it piping hot for a feel-good dish that’s as satisfying as it is heart-smart.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 piece large onion, diced
• 3 pieces large carrots, sliced
• 3 pieces celery stalks, sliced
• 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 pieces dried bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 teaspoon low-sodium salt alternative
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup whole grain pasta (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the chicken. Rinse the boneless skinless chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 3

Add the sliced carrots and celery to the pot, and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables slightly soften.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until the garlic is fragrant.

Step 5

Pour 8 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups of water into the pot. Add the chicken breasts to the broth.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low-medium, and add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 2 dried bay leaves, and 0.5 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.

Step 7

Allow the soup to simmer gently for about 25 minutes or until the chicken breasts are fully cooked and no longer pink inside.

Step 8

Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the soup and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 9

Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir in 0.5 teaspoon of a low-sodium salt alternative.

Step 10

If using whole grain pasta, add 1 cup of pasta to the soup and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the pasta is tender.

Step 11

Finish by stirring in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley for extra flavor and color.

Step 12

Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.

Step 13

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy your heart-healthy chicken soup!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3494.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1292.6

Total Fat 33.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 1226.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 29.5g
Protein 141.9g	0%

Vitamin D 17.4IU	0%
Calcium 316.8mg	0%
Iron 8.4mg	0%
Potassium 2939.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.0%

Protein: 42.9%

Carbs: 34.1%