A Deliciously Tasty Chicken Cabbage Soup Recipe
Soup is such a versatile meal. You can have it for any meal, during any weather, or when you just don’t feel like having a lengthy or complicated meal. And this chicken cabbage soup is exactly that. Want to learn how to make this tasty chicken cabbage soup recipe? Here is how to do it.
Chicken Cabbage Soup Recipe
Let’s start with the ingredients.
- 4 cups sliced cabbage (half a cabbage)
- 1 pound chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 chopped green pepper chopped
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 celery ribs (chopped)
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Pepper
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 14 oz marinara sauce
- Minced fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions
- Place your soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Add the chicken breast and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. The chicken should turn brown and no longer be pink inside.
- Remove it from the heat, place it on a chopping board, and then shred it with two forks.
- To the same pot, add carrots, celery, onions, and green peppers and stir for about five minutes.
- Add the cabbage, shredded chicken, marinara sauce, and stock, then mix and let it cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the frozen peas, garlic powder, garlic salt, and black pepper and mix.
- Let the food simmer for several minutes or until the peas are cooked.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Tips and Tricks for Making Chicken Cabbage Soup
You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts. As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics highlights, thighs are more flavorful and juicy than breasts. Plus, chicken breasts tend to dry out quickly after cooking. Also, allow the chicken to cook thoroughly before shredding. Remember, it will be in stock for only a few minutes before serving. You can also use rotisserie or leftover chicken for this recipe.
The best cabbage for this recipe is savoy cabbage. According to Heal With Food, this is the best cabbage for soups instead of the usual white cabbage. It has a great texture, and its flavor doesn’t overwhelm the soup. However, if you can’t find it, you can still use green, white, or pointed cabbage. If you use white cabbage, chop it finely and don’t put too much into the soup.
For the stock, you can use chicken or vegetable broth. However, chicken stock is a much better alternative because it has more flavor. Better yet, you can prepare the stock at home instead of using store-bought. Homemade stock is often rich in flavor.
You can replace the garlic powder with fresh garlic and use tomato sauce instead or marinara sauce. And if you like your soup spicy, add sriracha or cayenne pepper to the soup. Also, if the soup is too thin, you can add cornstarch, flour, or arrowroot powder to make it thicker.
Why You’ll Love This Soup
There are many reasons why this soup is a favorite to many. For starters, it’s easy to make. You don’t need to be a chef to prepare the meal. In fact, the only culinary skill you’ll need is shredding and cutting, which anyone can manage.
Also, it’s quick to prepare. We know one of the reasons most of us stay away from the kitchen is because food preparation takes a long time. But with this meal, you need about 30 to 40 minutes, and you’re done.
Lastly, it’s delicious and healthy, with plenty of vegetables combined with chicken. This is a complete meal that’s filling by itself. It also stores well, meaning you can store leftovers in the fridge and eat them after a couple of days or months if stored in the freezer.
What to Serve With Chicken Cabbage Soup
Chicken cabbage soup is a complete meal by itself, but if you prefer an accompaniment, here are some suggestions to consider.
- Bread: Anywhere there is soup, there should be bread. It can come in any form, such as breadsticks, garlic bread, cornbread, or dinner rolls.
- Sandwiches: A grilled cheese sandwich pairs well with soup, and it’s also easy to prepare.
- Roasted potatoes: While some people add potatoes directly to the soup, I prefer roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes on the side.
- Pretzel rolls: Soft, salty, and chewy. Just like bread, pretzels also pair well with this soup.
- Salads: From potato salad to Italian chopped salad and tomato and mozzarella salad, all these are great options for sides for your chicken cabbage soup.
Can You Make Chicken Cabbage Soup Ahead?
Maybe you want to serve this soup at a family gathering but don’t want to be overwhelmed on the day of the event by too many meal preparations. In that case, you can make this soup three days ahead and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Once ready to serve, just pop it in the microwave to reheat. However, this soup is much tastier when served immediately after being cooked. The other alternative is preparing some of the ingredients a day earlier. Chop the vegetables and cook the chicken, then shred it. Store everything separately in the fridge and prepare for the following day. The preparation time will be about 15 to 20 minutes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Like most soups, Spruce Eats suggest storing this soup in the fridge for about three days. The soup will still be good if it is in an airtight container. You can also freeze leftover chicken cabbage soup for up to three months. Just ensure it’s in an airtight container to prevent food contamination.
When ready to take the soup, let it defrost overnight in the fridge, then heat it in the microwave. You can also reheat it over the stove. Add more seasoning and water if the soup is too thick.
Is Chicken Cabbage Soup Keto-Friendly?
This specific recipe isn’t Keto Friendly considering we have added carrots and peas. However, you can make this soup keto-friendly by using vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, celery, and cauliflower. Also, according to Everyday Health, cabbage, which is one of our main ingredients, is keto-friendly.
Is Cabbage Good for You?
Doctors and nutritionists agree that cabbage is good for you. Plus, Healthline mentions some of the benefits of cabbage, such as aiding in digestion and inflammation. If you’re on the fence about this soup because of cabbage, there is no need to be. The cabbage won’t overwhelm the soup. In fact, it actually adds some sweetness to the soup, which balances well with the spices and the chicken. Be careful not to overcook the cabbage because that can turn off some people. Add the cabbage after the vegetables and chicken so that it’s tender but not overcooked.
