The Simplest Homemade Chicken Soup
This Homemade Chicken Soup delivers 33g protein and 315 calories per serving in a batch-friendly format. Prepares 6 servings on the stovetop with minimal active time, making it a repeatable meal prep item. Use it to hit daily protein targets while maintaining lower calories on rest days or during fat loss phases.
Ingredients
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Yellow Onion
- •Leek(480g)
- •Celery(240g)
- •Carrots(360g)
- •Garlic(240g)
- •Low Sodium Chicken Broth(1920g)
- •2 bay leaves
- •Thyme, Fresh
- •1 teaspoon sea salt
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(680g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •Lemon Juice, Fresh(30g)
- •Parsley, Fresh(15g)
- •¼ Teaspoon Freshly Cracked Black Pepper, Plus More For Serving
- •Parmesan Cheese
Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.
Instructions
- 1Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the onion, leeks, celery, and carrots and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
- 2Add the chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme, and salt. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then add the chicken. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer and the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- 3Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let cool slightly, then use two forks to shred the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
- 4Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.
- 5Ladle the soup into bowls and top with parsley, pepper, and Parmesan, if desired.
Nutrition — Per Serving
315
calories
33g
protein
6g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 33g
- Saturated fat
- 1.1g
- Sodium
- 565 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 4.7g
6 servings per batch · ~663g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does The Simplest Homemade Chicken Soup have per serving?
Each serving contains 33g of protein and 315 calories with a macro split of 6g fat and 33g carbs. The balanced carb-to-protein ratio makes this a solid option for post-workout recovery without excess calories.
How long does The Simplest Homemade Chicken Soup take to prep?
This recipe qualifies as quick prep and yields 6 servings in a single batch on the stovetop. You can prepare a full week's worth of soup efficiently for grab-and-go meals.
Is The Simplest Homemade Chicken Soup good for muscle gain?
At 33g protein per serving and only 315 calories, this soup works best as a supporting side or light meal rather than a primary muscle-building dish. It's ideal for adding volume to your diet without excess calories while maintaining steady protein intake.
