Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable Soup

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

A simple, nourishing soup made with chicken, carrots, and celery, simmered to perfection. This american-inspired soups ready in about 100 minutes pairs chicken, water, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 85 min Serves 6 American cuisine 200 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the 1 whole chicken (about 3 lbs) in a large pot and add 4 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Add the 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1 chopped onion, and 1 tsp dried thyme to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Remove the chicken, let cool, then shred the meat from the bones. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding solids.
  4. Step 4: Return the shredded chicken to the broth, add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot with crusty bread for a comforting meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable Soup take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (15 min prep + 85 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken and Vegetable Soup?

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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