Ingredients
Scale
Rotisserie Chicken
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded into bite-sized pieces
Fresh Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Garlic and Herbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
Broth or Stock
- 6 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Juice of half a lemon (or 1 teaspoon vinegar)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop the carrots, celery, and onions into small, even pieces to create a flavorful base.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic toward the end and sauté for an additional 1 minute to maximize flavor without burning the garlic.
- Build the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth. Add fresh thyme sprigs, parsley, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the flavors to meld for about 5-10 minutes.
- Add Chicken and Simmer: Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook gently for 15–20 minutes, allowing the chicken to infuse the broth fully.
- Finish and Adjust Seasoning: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Taste the soup and season with salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten the flavors. Optionally, add noodles, cooked rice, quinoa, or any preferred add-ins and cook until tender. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use homemade or low-sodium chicken broth for optimal flavor control.
- Add the cooked rotisserie chicken toward the end to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat.
- Fresh herbs provide the best aroma and brightness; use dried herbs only if fresh are unavailable.
- Cook vegetables just until tender to maintain a pleasant texture contrast.
- Customize the soup with noodles, grains, or beans for added heartiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups & Stews
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: rotisserie chicken soup, comfort food, easy chicken soup, healthy soup, cozy soup, quick soup recipe, homemade chicken soup