Comforting Chicken and Quinoa Soup Recipe for Weeknights

You know the old saying that chicken noodle soup helps when you’re sick — it’s not just a myth. Studies have shown that a warm chicken soup can help shorten a cold’s duration and soothe symptoms.

While the noodles are comforting, quinoa is an excellent, nutritious swap. This Chicken Quinoa Soup keeps the familiar flavors of the classic but replaces noodles with protein-packed quinoa for a lighter, health-forward bowl that’s just as satisfying.

If possible, make your own bone broth. Homemade bone broth offers benefits like immune support, improved digestion, and joint and bone nourishment. If you don’t have hours to simmer stock on the stovetop, a slow cooker is a great option — just toss the ingredients in and let it simmer all day. Homemade broth is usually more nutritious than most store-bought options and can save money.

Whether you use homemade broth or a good-quality store-bought chicken stock, this Chicken Quinoa Soup is easy to make and perfect for chilly days or when you need something gentle and nourishing. Below are the recipe details and simple steps to prepare it.

Chicken Quinoa Soup

5 Stars

4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: Healthy Happy Mama
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Chicken Quinoa Soup updates a classic favorite by swapping noodles for quinoa. It’s comforting, nourishing, and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 sweet onion, diced

2 large carrots, sliced diagonally

2 celery ribs, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally

2–3 garlic cloves, minced

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

8 cups chicken broth

2/3 cup quinoa, well rinsed

1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and quinoa and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until the quinoa is tender, about 15–20 minutes.

Stir in the cooked chicken and warm through for a few minutes.

Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 473
Sugar: 13.7g
Sodium: 775.3mg
Fat: 17.9g
Saturated Fat: 3.7g
Carbohydrates: 46.4g
Fiber: 4.3g
Protein: 30.5g
Cholesterol: 53.8mg