Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A nourishing one-pot soup of tender chicken, carrots, zucchini and fresh spinach simmered in a thyme-scented broth, made entirely from pantry and crisper staples. This american-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken broth, diced carrots, diced zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 240 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 cups chicken broth, 2 diced carrots, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 8 minutes until carrots are tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz sliced chicken breast to the pot and simmer for 6 minutes until cooked through, then stir in 1 diced zucchini and cook for 4 more minutes until zucchini is tender but not mushy.
  3. Step 3: Remove pot from heat and stir in 2 cups fresh spinach until wilted and fully incorporated (about 1 minute). Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the spinach is evenly distributed and the soup is vibrant green.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach?

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 Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach?

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 Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach 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 Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Spinach?

American 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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