Baker by Nature

A Baking Blog by Ashley Manila

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

I’m currently hiding from the gigantic, sticky, and unsuccessful pancake mess that has taken over our kitchen. It’s pretty bad, you guys. Like 4 skillets, all of our spoons, and batter in places I don’t even want to think about BAD. And right now… I’m not just up for it. Instead I swiped up the last of this bright and lovely Spring soup, grabbed a spoon, and headed to the office (bedroom) to get down to business! The sharing with you business, that is. Because y’all come first! That mess can wait… 😉

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup I made this soup last Sunday and was so close to tossing in some tortellini or rice or something carby/ starchy, but somehow overcame that urge and kept it pure chicken and veggies. It was the right call! But such a tough one. I have the habit of thinking I need to add more, more, more. Do you guys ever get in the more, more, more mode? It’s so hard to snap out of!

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Let’s talk soup details! The base of this soup begins with leeks, onions, and BACON. I know you’re probably like whaaaa? Bacon? But trust me! It adds the best pop of smokey, rich flavor. You want it 🙂

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Then we add the veggies! Yellow zucchini, fresh Roma tomatoes, asparagus, and some vibrant carrots make up the cast. There’s also a whole bunch of good-for-you garlic floating around in the veggie mix. So wonderful!

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Before I forget – let’s talk about the chicken! For this soup I chose to roast the chicken breasts and then shred the meat once tender, adding it to the soup right at the end. I love doing it this way because you can really season the chicken and it just adds so much flavor to the finished product. Also, it’s just easy! All you have to do is throw a couple spices on the breasts before popping them in the oven and then it takes over and does the rest of the work for you. My kinda cooking 😉

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

The final touches on this soup is the cannellini beans (which get mixed in just a few minutes before the soup is finished), fresh parsley, and parmesan! Also, a squeeze of lemon if you’re into it. xoxo

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

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Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 strips bacon, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 leeks, diced
  • 1 large Spanish onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 yellow squash, diced
  • 4 roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1" pieces
  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 48 ounces (6 cups) chicken broth
  • (1) 15.5 ounce cannellini beans
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Parmesan, for serving
  • Lemon, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with foil, then place chicken breasts on the sheet. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the spices, adding salt and pepper as well, then drizzle with olive oil, making sure both breasts are evenly coated. Place chicken in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and cooked through. Once cooked, let chicken cool until it can be easily handled without burning your hands, then shred chicken into bite sized pieces.
  2. Heat bacon in a large skillet over medium-heat for 3-4 minutes, or until a good amount of the fat has been released and it's beginning to crisp. Add olive oil, then add leeks and onion. Stir to coat the onions, and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the onions have softened. Add the garlic, crushed red pepper, and a big pinch of salt; cook for another minute before adding the squash, tomatoes, asparagus, and carrots. Stir to combine vegetables, then cook for 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Stir in beans. Stir in chicken.
  3. Season soup with salt and pepper as needed. When ready to serve, ladle soup into bowls, then top with a sprinkle of parsley and parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy!

Spring Chicken Vegetable Soup

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Comments

  1. Kathryn says

    This soup sounds delicious! I love that it’s a bit lighter and fresher than what I’m currently eating and packed full of veggies.

    Reply

  6. Jenny @ BAKE says

    I love spring chicken soup. This looks so light and refreshing, I am going to have to remember to add asparagus next time I make it, that sounds like an incredible addition!

    Reply

  7. Jill says

    This soup is fantastic! My husband couldn’t get enough of it, even with so many vegetables! He declared it was my best soup yet and i make some good soups- We loved it. I froze several portions for quick work day meals. This is a new favorite in our house! Thank you!

    Reply

  9. kelsey morlan says

    Sounds delicious!! I’m going to be trying this out soon!

    Do you have an estimate on how many servings it makes?

    Reply

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