Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup
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Rich, creamy, and loaded with veggies this Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup is going to be your go-to soup this season. If you’re looking for a one-pan meal when the cold weather arrives, this comforting soup recipe is for you!
Slow-simmered carrots, celery, and onions combined with chicken broth, a variety of seasonings, cream, chicken and more veggies make this a hearty, nourishing, and super-flavorful soup. It is going to be perfect for those cold fall and winter months.
If you love soup and need more inspiration, try my taco soup, lasagna soup, Tuscan chicken soup, and a family favorite cheeseburger soup.
Chicken
Try this instant pot shredded chicken recipe for a quick and easy way to make chicken for the soup. Another option is to bake chicken breasts with salt and pepper for 20 minutes in a 400-degree oven. I always pound the chicken prior to baking. They come out perfect every time!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Hearty and Nourishing: Filled with a mix of fresh and frozen vegetables, this soup is a meal on its own.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Ready in just about 30 minutes with simple steps.
- Easy-to-Find Ingredients: Fresh carrots, celery, and onions are available year-round, and frozen vegetables add convenience and nutrition.
Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted, for sautéing veggies. (Olive oil can work too!)
- Fresh Vegetables: Diced carrots, celery, and onion for a flavorful base.
- Seasonings: A blend of thyme, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Flour: To help thicken the soup. Gluten-free flour can also work.
- Chicken Broth: Low-sodium is best, so you can control saltiness.
- Pasta: Short shapes like fusilli, penne, or macaroni. Use gluten-free pasta if needed, but cook it separately to avoid it becoming mushy.
- Half & Half: Adds creamy richness. Whole milk is a lighter option, though it won’t be as rich.
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works well, but any cooked chicken breast or thigh will do.
- Frozen Vegetables: Frozen corn and peas add convenience and a pop of color.
How to Cook – Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:Sauté the Vegetables
Melt the butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
Step 2: Season and Add Flour
Stir in the garlic thyme, sage, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to coat the vegetables and cook for 1 minute.
Step 3: Add Flour
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a light roux.
Step 4: Add Chicken Broth and Pasta
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, add the short pasta to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
Step 4: Add Chicken and Vegetables
Stir in the cooked chicken, corn, and peas. Continue cooking until the chicken and vegetables are heated, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Finish with Half & Half
Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the half & half. Let the soup simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes to warm everything through and allow the flavors to meld.
Step 6: Serve
Remove from heat and taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed. The soup will thicken more after being removed from the heat.
FAQs
Let the soup sit for a few minutes before serving, and it will thicken nicely. Using heavy cream instead of half and half will produce a thicker, richer soup.
Feel free to add spinach, kale, or zucchini for more nutrients.
If you find too much liquid in your soup, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. It will thicken from the starch in the pasta.
Yes! Use gluten-free flour for the roux and cook gluten-free pasta separately.
What to serve with chicken and vegetable soup
This creamy chicken soup recipe eats like a meal, but here are a few things I like to pair with it:
- On the side: Mozzarella Stuffed Garlic Bread, Pesto Bread, or these Buttery Drop Biscuits
- To start: Traditional Wedge Salad or Pear and Feta Salad .
- For dessert: Walnut Brownies or Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie.
Recipe variations
- Add Beans: Add beans for more texture and protein. Any canned beans will work, I like white beans like cannellini, Great Northern Beans, or navy beans but romano or even chickpeas are a good option.
- Cheesy Flavor: Stir in parmesan cheese to add a salty, cheesy flavor.
- Coconut Milk Substitute: Swap the half and half with coconut milk for a diary-free, slightly sweet twist.
- Rice instead of Pasta: White or brown rice works as a hearty alternative.
- Fresh Herbs: Stir in herbs, such as basil, oregano, fresh parsley, a thyme sprig, or a few bay leaves.
- Mix in some leafy greens: You can never get enough of these nutrient-dense veggies!
Tips for success
Cut veggies evenly: Chopping your vegetables into similar sizes ensures they cook evenly, so every spoonful is perfectly tender.
Freeze leftover chicken: Don’t let any chicken go to waste! Freeze any leftovers to use in this soup down the road. It’s a great time-saver for busy days.
Shred for even bites: Shredding the chicken allows it to mix seamlessly into the soup, giving everyone a bit of chicken in every spoonful.
Want it super thick? Add an extra ½ cup of pasta for a heartier, thicker soup that’ll warm you right up!
Storage and make ahead directions
Make ahead: Soups are always a great make ahead option. Prepare a batch of soup over the weekend and heat a bowl for a quick lunch or dinner during the week. This creamy chicken and vegetable soup will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Bring soup to room temperature before storing.
Refrigerated soup will thicken as it sits in the fridge. Stir in more broth or water to bring it back to soup consistency before rewarming it on the stovetop.
Freezer: In a freezer-safe container, freeze uneaten soup for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or microwave.
More chicken ideas
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Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 1/2 cup Carrots Diced
- 1 cup Celery Diced
- 1 small Onion Diced
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Sage
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 6 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cups Short Pasta
- 1 ½ pounds Cooked Chicken Rotisserie Chicken is a great option
- 1 cup Corn
- 1 cup Peas
- 1 ½ cup Half & Half
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.1/4 cup Butter, 1 1/2 cup Carrots Diced, 1 cup Celery Diced, 1 small Onion Diced
- Stir in the garlic, thyme, sage, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to coat the vegetables. Cook for another minute.2 cloves Garlic, 2 teaspoon Thyme, 1 teaspoon Sage, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a light roux.1/4 cup Flour
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, add the short pasta to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.6 cups Chicken Broth, 1 cups Short Pasta
- Stir in the cooked chicken, corn, and peas. Continue cooking until the chicken and vegetables are heated through, about 3-5 minutes.1 ½ pounds Cooked Chicken, 1 cup Corn, 1 cup Peas
- Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the half-and-half. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes to warm everything through.1 ½ cup Half & Half
- Remove from heat and taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Notes
- Cut veggies evenly: Chopping your vegetables into similar sizes ensures they cook evenly.
- Freeze leftover chicken: Don’t let any chicken go to waste! Freeze any leftovers to use in this soup down the road. It’s a great time-saver for busy days.
- Want it super thick? Add an extra ½ cup of pasta for a heartier, thicker soup that’ll warm you right up!
Really really great recipe !! The whole family loved it – I will be making it again for sure !!!
Everyone went back for seconds, myself included. Will definitely make again as Soup Season is starting up.
Your comments made my day. I’m so glad you all enjoyed the soup. I love soup season too!
The whole family went back for seconds. I love Soup Season!
I’m so thrilled to hear your whole family enjoyed it and even went back for seconds! 🥰 That’s the best compliment! There’s just something about soup season that makes everything feel cozier. Thank you for sharing—I hope this recipe keeps bringing warmth and smiles to your table all season long!
This soup is absolutely amazing. wonderful flavors and texture. Highly recommend. I’ve sent the recipe to all my friends
Hi Jennie, I’m so glad you liked the soup. It’s a favorite around here!
Love this recipe & looking forward to a few more cuz I love soup season!
This looks absolutely delicious! I wonder if it could be adapted for the crockpot—I’ll have to try it out and see how it turns out. My family loves anything with chicken and pasta, so I think it’ll be a hit!
Hi Kristy, I’ve never tried this recipe in the slow cooker. I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Delicious
Thank you!
Loved it!!
Hi Joe! I’m so glad you enjoyed the soup.