🍲 Chicken + Veggie Hug-in-a-Mug Soup
Long day? Rainy mood? This chicken and vegetable soup pulls a full mom-move and tucks you in with steamy, herby goodness. One pot, 30-ish minutes, and you’re basically a soup wizard. 🧙♂️🥕
⚡ Quickfire Highlights
- 30-minute finish. Knife, pot, done.
- Stove or slow cooker. Choose your own adventure.
- Golden sear = flavor jackpot. Don’t skip it.
- Add anything: rice, spuds, leftover noodles—it all works.
- Meal-prep hero. Freezes like a champ for 3 months.
🤜 Why This Soup Smacks
| Superpower | What It Delivers | Why You’ll Care |
|---|---|---|
| Searing first | Crispy fond bits | Instant flavor flex |
| Fast simmer | Rich broth in 20 min | Weeknight-friendly |
| Mix-and-match veggies | Zero waste | Your fridge, decluttered |
| Freezer-proof | 3-month stay-fresh | Lazy future dinners |
🛒 Grab These (Serves 4–6)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless chicken thighs | 1 lb | Breast works, but watch dryness |
| Olive oil | 1½ Tbsp | Avocado oil also fine |
| Carrots, diced | 2 cups | Uniform chunks = even cook |
| Celery, diced | 1 cup | Snap-test for freshness |
| Onion, chopped | 1 large | Tears optional |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves | Vampires hate you |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | 6 cups | Add more if using rice |
| Fresh thyme | 1 tsp | Dried works, halve amount |
| Salt + pepper | To taste | Start low, adjust late |
| Optional add-ins | See remix list | Live your truth |
Pro tip: Pat chicken bone-dry before searing. Moisture kills crust.
🔥 5-Step Pot Plan
- Heat oil, medium-high.
- Sear chicken 5 min per side till golden. Remove, set aside.
- Sweat veggies (onion, carrot, celery) 7 min. Add garlic last 60 sec.
- Deglaze with ½ cup broth, scrape fond like you mean it.
- Return chicken + broth + thyme. Simmer 15 min. Shred chicken, taste-check salt, serve.
Slow-cooker route: Sear in a pan, then dump everything into the crock on LOW 6–7 hrs. Add quick-cook stuff (pasta, spinach) during the last 20 min.
🎨 Remix Ideas
| Add-In | Cook Time | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese tortellini | 7 min | Italian grandma mood |
| Wild rice | 20 min | Nutty chew |
| Diced potatoes | 15 min | Stew-like thickness |
| Cannellini beans | 5 min | Protein bump |
Gluten-free? Swap in quinoa. Keto? Lose the starch altogether. Vegan friend crashing? Sub tofu + veggie broth. Everybody eats.
💪 Health Perks (No Lab Coat Required)
- 20 g protein per bowl = muscles say thanks.
- Loads of vitamin A + C = immunity armor.
- Only ~400 mg sodium if you keep the salt chill.
- 4 g fiber keeps the plumbing happy.
❄️ Store & Reheat Like a Pro
- Cool soup completely.
- Portion into freezer-safe containers, leave ½-inch headspace.
- Label + freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat on low with a splash of broth to revive that silky vibe.
❓ Rapid-Fire FAQ
Best chicken cut?
Thighs = juicy. Breast = lean but watch the clock.
No celery—panic?
Relax. Sub leeks, zucchini, even mushrooms.
Broth tastes meh?
Add a squeeze of lemon or more cracked pepper. Boom—bright.
Gluten-free okay?
Yep. Use GF pasta or skip grains.
Too salty?
Toss in a peeled potato, simmer 10 min, yank it out. Salt sponge!
🔥 Final Slurp
So there you go—one pot, zero drama, all comfort. Whip this chicken-veggie hug whenever life feels extra, stash leftovers for future you, and brag on Insta if you must. Give it a whirl tonight and tell me your wildest add-in—pickle juice? Go for it. 😉
Soup season never ends—ladle up and live your best cozy life. ✌️
