Consumer.gov Budget Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light yet flavorful vegetable soup packed with seasonal produce, ideal for a healthy and budget-conscious dinner. This french-inspired soups ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken broth, stalks, thinly sliced celery, medium, diced zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 French cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 cups chicken broth, 2 sliced medium carrots, 2 thinly sliced celery stalks, and 1 diced medium zucchini. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced chicken breast, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove bay leaf and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Consumer.gov Budget Soup take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Consumer.gov Budget 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 chicken broth from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Consumer.gov Budget 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 Consumer.gov Budget Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Consumer.gov Budget Soup?

French soups 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.

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