Finished Delicious Chicken Soup with Potatoes, garnished with parsley, ready to serve.

Delicious Chicken Soup with Potatoes: A Hearty and Comforting Bowl of Goodness 🍲🥔✨

1. Introduction

When the weather turns chilly or you’re feeling under the weather, nothing provides comfort quite like a steaming bowl of delicious chicken soup with potatoes. This timeless recipe combines tender chicken, hearty potatoes, and aromatic vegetables in a flavorful broth that warms you from the inside out. Considered by many as the best chicken soup recipe with potatoes, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or when you need a nourishing boost. The combination of protein-rich chicken and fiber-packed potatoes makes it both satisfying and nutritious.

What makes this recipe stand out is its perfect balance of simplicity and flavor. Unlike many complicated soups that require hours of preparation, this version comes together in under an hour while delivering restaurant-quality taste. The potatoes add wonderful texture and help thicken the broth naturally, creating a more substantial meal than traditional chicken soups. Whether you’re cooking for your family or preparing meals for the week, this delicious chicken soup with potatoes is sure to become a regular in your rotation.

2. Ingredients

Gathering high-quality ingredients is key to making the best chicken soup with potatoes. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 tablespoons olive oil – For sautéing the vegetables
1 large onion, diced – Adds sweetness and depth of flavor
2 carrots, sliced – Provides natural sweetness and color
2 celery stalks, chopped – Contributes earthy flavor and texture
3 garlic cloves, minced – Essential for aromatic base
1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts – Thighs stay juicier, but breasts work too
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced – Russet or Yukon Gold work best
6 cups chicken broth – Homemade or low-sodium store-bought
1 teaspoon dried thyme – Classic herb pairing for chicken
1 bay leaf – Adds subtle background flavor
Salt and pepper to taste – Essential seasonings
Fresh parsley for garnish – Brightens the finished dish

For those looking to explore more potato soup variations, The Cozy Cook offers excellent inspiration with their creamy chicken potato soup recipe that complements this traditional version beautifully.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Begin by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery – this classic combination is known as mirepoix in French cooking and forms the flavor foundation of many great soups. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and the onions turn translucent. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds to 1 minute more until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter.

Chopped onions, carrots, and celery sautéing in olive oil for Delicious Chicken Soup with Potatoes.

Step 2: Add the Chicken

Now add your chicken pieces to the pot. If using chicken thighs, they’ll remain more tender during cooking, but breasts work well too if you prefer leaner meat. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until the pieces are lightly browned on all sides. This browning step, called the Maillard reaction, develops deeper flavors in your soup. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and dried thyme as it cooks. The thyme adds an earthy, slightly floral note that complements the chicken beautifully.

Chicken pieces added to vegetables for Delicious Chicken Soup with Potatoes.

Step 3: Simmer with Potatoes

Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Now add your diced potatoes. The type of potato you use affects the texture – russets will break down slightly and thicken the soup, while waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold hold their shape better. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is fully cooked through. The broth will reduce slightly and concentrate in flavor during this time.

Diced potatoes added to the simmering chicken soup.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through (it should reach 165°F internally), remove the bay leaf – it’s done its job of adding subtle background flavor. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. The parsley adds a pop of color and fresh herbal note that brightens the rich flavors. Serve immediately while hot, perhaps with some crusty bread from MealsMom.com for dipping.

Ladle serving hot Delicious Chicken Soup with Potatoes into a bowl.

4. Tips for the Best Chicken Soup with Potatoes

Use homemade chicken broth for richer flavor – simmer chicken bones with vegetables for several hours, or opt for high-quality, low-sodium store-bought broth to control salt levels.
Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley in the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra depth of flavor without becoming bitter.
For a creamier texture, mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot before serving, or blend a portion of the soup and stir it back in.
Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld together – the starch from the potatoes will thicken the broth slightly overnight.
Don’t overcook the potatoes – they should be tender but still hold their shape when pierced with a fork.

5. Variations

This versatile recipe serves as an excellent base for numerous delicious variations:

Vegetable-packed: Add 1 cup of frozen peas, corn, or green beans in the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
Spicy kick: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables, or add a dash of hot sauce at the end.
Creamy version: Mix in 1/2 cup of heavy cream, coconut milk, or evaporated milk at the end for richness.
Lemon-herb: Brighten the flavors with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a handful of fresh dill at the end.
Mexican-inspired: Add 1 teaspoon each of cumin and chili powder with the thyme, and top with avocado and cilantro.

6. Serving Suggestions

This best chicken soup recipe with potatoes is satisfying on its own, but pairs wonderfully with various sides:

Crusty artisan bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping
A fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing
Grilled cheese sandwich for classic comfort food pairing
Cornbread or biscuits for a Southern twist
Simple crackers for added crunch

7. Storage and Reheating

Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious chicken soup with potatoes for days:

Cool the soup completely before storing – about 1 hour at room temperature.
Transfer to airtight containers, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days – the flavors actually improve over time.
Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Add a splash of water or broth when reheating if the soup has thickened too much.

8. Nutritional Benefits

This delicious chicken soup with potatoes offers numerous health benefits:

High-quality protein from chicken supports muscle maintenance and repair.
Potatoes provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, plus fiber for digestive health.
Carrots deliver beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A for immune and eye health.
Celery contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Garlic has immune-boosting properties and may help fight colds.
Hydrating broth helps maintain fluid balance in the body.
Low in fat (especially if using chicken breast) while being satisfying.

9. Conclusion

This best chicken soup recipe with potatoes proves that simple ingredients can create extraordinary comfort food. The combination of tender chicken, hearty potatoes, and aromatic vegetables in a flavorful broth makes this dish satisfying enough for dinner yet light enough for lunch. It’s versatile enough for casual family meals yet impressive enough for company. Whether you’re cooking to nourish a sick loved one, meal prepping for the week, or just craving wholesome comfort food, this delicious chicken soup with potatoes delivers on all fronts. The leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for busy households. Give this recipe a try and discover why it deserves a permanent place in your culinary repertoire – one comforting bowl at a time.

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