Spicy Tomato & Chicken Soup
A vibrant, warming soup with a kick of heat from red pepper flakes, featuring tender chicken and deep tomato flavor without added sugar. This italian-inspired whole30 ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless and skinless chicken breasts, avocado oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1.2 lbs, boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 large, diced (about 2 cups) tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to the pot, then add diced onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in diced tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they break down slightly.
- Step 5: Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened and rich in flavor.
- Step 6: Pour in chicken broth, add oregano, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Return chicken to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 7: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to pot. Simmer for 5 more minutes to blend flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Tomato & Chicken Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Spicy Tomato & Chicken 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Tomato & Chicken 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 Spicy Tomato & Chicken 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 Spicy Tomato & Chicken Soup?
Italian whole30 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
