Turn leftover cooked chicken into a comforting family meal with this easy chicken and vegetable soup. Made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli in a fragrant broth, it’s a practical way to prepare a filling dinner without buying lots of extra ingredients.
This one-pot recipe uses just one cooked chicken breast to make approximately four portions. Rosemary, garlic and a bay leaf add flavour to the stock, while everyday vegetables give the soup colour and texture.
It’s particularly useful after a Sunday roast or whenever you have leftover cooked chicken in the fridge.
Why This Chicken and Vegetable Soup Works
- Makes leftover cooked chicken go further.
- Uses affordable, familiar supermarket vegetables.
- Requires just one large saucepan.
- Easy to adapt with frozen cauliflower or broccoli.
- Suitable for lunch, a light dinner or preparing meals ahead.
Recipe at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Servings | Approximately 4 |
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 25โ30 minutes |
| Total time | 35โ40 minutes |
| Cooking method | One-pot, hob |
| Course | Lunch or light dinner |
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, roughly chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 200g cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 large potato, peeled and diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 litre hot chicken stock
- 150g broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 cooked, skinless and boneless chicken breast, chopped or shredded
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Salt, if needed
How to Make Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Chop the onions and celery, dice the potato and carrot, and divide the cauliflower and broccoli into small florets.
Keeping the potato and carrot pieces relatively small helps them cook evenly.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base
Place the onions, celery, cauliflower, potato, carrot, garlic, rosemary and bay leaf in a large saucepan.
Pour over the hot chicken stock and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for approximately 15โ20 minutes, until the root vegetables are nearly tender.
Step 3: Add the Broccoli
Stir in the broccoli florets and continue simmering for approximately five minutes.
The broccoli should become tender without losing all its texture.
Step 4: Add the Cooked Chicken
Add the chopped or shredded cooked chicken.
Simmer for another five minutes, or until the chicken is steaming hot throughout and the vegetables are fully tender.
The chicken must already be cooked before being added at this stage.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove the rosemary sprig and bay leaf.
Taste the broth and add black pepper. Add salt only if needed, as chicken stock can already contain a considerable amount.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
How to Make the Most of Leftover Chicken
This soup is a useful way to turn a modest amount of leftover roast chicken into another family meal.
Remove the skin and bones, then shred or chop the cooked meat into small pieces. Keep leftovers refrigerated and use them within their safe storage period.
Avoid adding the chicken too early, as it only needs reheating and can become dry if simmered for too long.
Budget-Friendly Vegetable Swaps
Frozen cauliflower and broccoli work well in this recipe and can help reduce food waste.
You can also use spare carrots, potatoes or other suitable vegetables already in your fridge. Adjust the cooking time according to their size.
A chicken stock cube dissolved in hot water is a convenient alternative to ready-made stock.
How to Make the Soup More Filling
The potato adds substance, but you can serve the soup with wholemeal bread or toast for a more substantial dinner.
For a thicker texture, gently mash a few pieces of cooked potato against the side of the saucepan and stir them back into the broth.
Storage and Reheating
Cool the soup promptly and refrigerate within two hours. Eat within 48 hours, provided the cooked chicken is still within its original safe storage period.
Reheat only once until steaming hot throughout. Do not repeatedly cool and reheat the same batch.
Freeze promptly in suitable portion-sized containers if you do not plan to eat it within the safe storage period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover roast chicken?
Yes. Remove the skin and bones, shred the cooked meat and add it towards the end of cooking.
Can I use raw chicken breast?
This particular recipe is written for previously cooked chicken. Raw chicken requires a different cooking stage and must be cooked thoroughly before serving.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes. Frozen cauliflower and broccoli are convenient substitutes. Adjust the cooking time until the vegetables are tender.
Can I make the soup thicker?
Yes. Mash some of the cooked potato into the broth or blend a small portion of the vegetables before adding the chicken.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Follow safe cooling and refrigeration practices, especially when using chicken that was cooked previously.
More Affordable Family Meal Ideas
Looking for practical ways to turn everyday ingredients into satisfying dinners? Explore our Budget Family Meals UK guide.
Organise your weekly meals and shopping list with our Free UK Family Meal Planner.