Budget Chicken and Bean Soup
A hearty, affordable soup loaded with shredded chicken, beans, and seasonal vegetables for a satisfying meal. This comfort food-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs shredded cooked chicken, drained canned kidney beans, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shredded cooked chicken
- 15 oz, drained canned kidney beans
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1 diced onion; sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender. Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 15 oz canned kidney beans.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in 1 lb shredded cooked chicken. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Budget Chicken and Bean Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Budget Chicken and Bean Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shredded cooked chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Budget Chicken and Bean Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Budget Chicken and Bean Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Budget Chicken and Bean Soup?
Comfort Food chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
