Description
Healthy Fat-Burning Chicken Cabbage Soup that’s packed with tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, and hearty vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1.5–2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (adds extra flavor! Boneless works too, but avoid overcooking chicken breast).
- Cabbage: 1 medium head green cabbage, roughly chopped (nutritious and affordable).
- Carrots: 2–3, peeled and sliced or diced (for color and vitamins).
- Onion: 1 large, diced (builds flavorful base).
- Celery: 2–3 stalks, sliced (adds crunch).
- Garlic: 3–4 cloves, minced (bold flavor, add extra if you LOVE garlic).
- Chicken Broth: 8–10 cups (high-quality for the best taste).
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves.
- Olive Oil: Drizzle for sautéing veggies (or use broth for a lighter option).
- Optional Extras: Fresh parsley and lemon juice for serving (adds freshness).
Instructions
Prep Time:
Chop all your veggies: onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and cabbage.
Prep should take 20 minutes max!
Sauté Veggies:
Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
Add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add Garlic and Chicken:
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.
Place chicken pieces into the pot.
Pour the Broth:
Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves.
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer Time:
Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and become tender.
Shred the Chicken:
Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly.
Shred the meat and set it aside.
Cabbage In:
Add chopped cabbage to the simmering broth. Cook for 15 minutes, keeping the cabbage slightly crunchy.
Return Chicken:
Stir shredded chicken back into the pot. Let it heat through for a few minutes.
Serve It Up:
Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
Notes
For Maximum Flavor: Sauté the vegetables until slightly golden to deepen their flavor. Don’t rush this step!
Shredding Chicken Made Easy: Let the cooked chicken cool slightly before shredding. Use two forks or your hands for easy shredding.
Don’t Overcook the Cabbage: Add the cabbage after the chicken is cooked and simmer only until tender-crisp for the best texture.
Upgrade the Garnish: Top with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of Parmesan, or crunchy croutons for extra deliciousness.
Batch Cooking: Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for a quick and healthy meal later. It freezes well without the cabbage—add fresh cabbage when reheating.
Make It Low-Carb: Skip carrots if you’re watching carbs and add extra cabbage or even zucchini noodles.
Boost Nutrition: Stir in spinach or kale in the last few minutes for added greens.
Nutrition
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sodium: 4 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 20 g