Ah, homemade soup. It’s healthy, versatile, easy, and delicious. What’s not to love? And during the cold winter months, it’s just about the perfect meal—providing cozy warmth from the inside out.

In this video, PacificSource Well-being Program Manager Sabrina Black shares one of her go-to recipes that even picky eaters will love. She also shares several tips that will not only save you time and money, but help you get the most enjoyment from the cooking experience.

While this chicken and vegetable soup recipe includes classic soup ingredients, it’s anything but basic—and there’s lots of room for you to customize and make it your own. It can also easily be adapted to be plant-based.

Below the video, you’ll find the full recipe and a recap of the tips. So, grab your apron and let’s get started!

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

  • Two chicken breasts, about two cups precooked, shredded chicken
  • 1 small medium onion or about a cup of chopped onion
  • 4 to 5 carrots, sliced or about one cup of sliced carrots
  • 1 8-oz package of white or cremini sliced mushrooms
  • 1 large Idaho russet potato, cubed
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash original seasoning
  • Sea salt to taste
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

Directions

  1. Warm your pot over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp. olive oil.
  2. Once warm, add onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the rest of your vegetables and ¼ of your seasonings (Mrs. Dash and sea salt mix). Cook them down for about 5 minutes until they get soft.
  4. Add chicken broth, water, shredded chicken, and remaining seasonings.
  5. Let simmer on stove top for 1 to 2 hours; taste-test halfway through and add additional seasoning as needed.
  6. Dish up and enjoy!

For a plant-based version: Substitute your favorite beans for chicken, and use vegetable broth.

Tips for soup success!

  • Clear space and make space, both in your kitchen and in your fridge and freezer. As you’re making room in your fridge, make note of what you have as potential soup ingredients.
  • Ensure you have freezer-safe containers, such as glass jars or silicone bags if they’re accessible to you. For health and sustainability purposes, it’s best to avoid plastic.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to avoid stress. Make this an enjoyable experience.
  • Use ingredients you have on-hand. One of the great things about soup is it’s fine to use slightly old or less-than-perfect veggies. This helps you avoid unnecessary spending and prevents food waste.
  • Don’t be afraid to use frozen veggies. If you choose to go this route, there’s no need to thaw them out first
  • Use a seasoning blend to save time, such as Mrs. Dash. We recommend salt-free versions to have more control over the sodium in your soup.
  • Fear not if you oversalt. If you do end up with oversalted broth, add more potato to help neutralize the flavor.
  • Be creative and have fun! Cooking, especially soup, is a great opportunity to experiment and try new things!

Thank you. We hope you enjoy the recipe and tips!

Please share this recipe with a friend or family member. We’d also love your feedback. If you try this recipe, please use the comments section below to let us know what you thought, and share any tips you have.