Chicken Minestrone Soup

Name: Chicken Minestrone Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 42 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion (diced); 3 pieces bacon (chopped, you can use pork or turkey bacon); 2 cups celery (chopped); 2 cups carrots (chopped); 1 zucchini (chopped); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 5 cloves garlic (minced (or 5 teaspoons garlic in a jar)); ⅓ cup loosely packed fresh basil; 28 oz can whole tomatoes; 4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable); 15 ounce can white beans (drained); 4 cups cooked rotisserie chicken (chopped); ¼ cup fresh parsley (minced); 2 teaspoons kosher salt (more to taste as needed); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper

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This chicken minestrone soup recipe makes a hearty and delicious soup that's hearty and satisfying enough as a main dish soup or healthy side dish for a quick lunch or light dinner. It's a comforting soup packed with plenty of veggies, beans, and tender rotisserie chicken.

A bowl of chicken minestrone soup on a white wooden table with a spoon dipping in.

Why This Chicken Minestrone Soup Recipe Rocks!

EASY TO MAKE: Simple ingredients + the Instant Pot make this pot of soup so easy to prepare! It also is flexible enough to make on the stove too!
NUTRITIOUS: This healthy soup is packed with beans giving you protein and fiber, plenty of veggies, and lean chicken.
INEXPENSIVE: Using a combination of easy-to-find ingredients and pantry staples combined with flexibility this minestrone soup recipe is easy on the wallet.
VERSATILE: From changing up the veggies to using homemade chicken, and a different kind of broth, this vegetable soup is the perfect way to use up ingredients you have on hand and in your fridge.

Ingredients

Fresh Veggies: This soup is made with tons of veggies. Onions, celery, and carrots layer in flavor while zucchini bulks up the soup.
Tomatoes: Tomato paste and whole tomatoes add depth of flavor and savoriness to the brothy base of the soup. You can also use canned diced tomatoes in place of the whole tomatoes if you prefer.
Flavor: Use fresh minced garlic and fresh basil for the best flavor while dried oregano adds a more complex flavor to the soup.
Broth: Use whatever broth you prefer. Chicken or vegetable works best.
White beans: Any type of canned white beans works well including cannellini beans, navy beans, northern beans, and even chickpeas. You can even use pinto beans or cranberry beans too.
Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie or cooked chicken breast or chicken thighs keep this chicken soup recipe simple. I find rotisserie chicken has more flavor and makes life a whole lot easier than cooking fresh chicken myself. This soup is also a great way to use up leftover chicken.

Be sure to check the full list of ingredients for quantities of each one in the recipe card below!

How to Make Chicken Minestrone Soup

Onions and bacon added to instant pot to brown.

Step 1: Cook the diced onions and bacon in oil using the saute setting on your Instant Pot for about five minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the onions are tender.

Celery, carrots, and garlic are added next.

Step 2: Add your celery and carrots to the pot and sauté for another five minutes covering between stirring to help the vegetables cook more quickly.

Zucchini added to the pot with the cooked vegetables.

Step 3: Add the zucchini to the cooked vegetables and cook for two more minutes.

Basil and tomato paste are added to the cooked vegetables.

Step 4: Add your tomato paste, garlic, and basil to the pot and cook for two minutes. Stir frequently to keep the garlic from burning.

Using a masher to break up the whole tomatoes in the pot.

Step 5: Add the tomatoes and use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to mash them up.

Step 6: Add the chicken broth, drained white beans, chopped chicken, parsley, and dried spices to the pot. Stir everything together.

Minestrone soup with chicken in an instant pot after cooking.

Step 7: Change the setting on the Instant Pot to pressure cook, place the lid on top, and move the button to “sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.

Broth is added to the instant pot and ready to cook.

Step 8: Allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release for about 10 minutes, then move the valve on “venting” to release the rest of the pressure. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.

Storing Tips

Store the soup in airtight containers once it's fully cooled and place in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. Allow the soup to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving again!

Alternate Cooking Methods

Stove Top: Follow all the same steps as the Instant Pot in a large pot over medium heat. After adding the chicken broth, chicken, white beans, parsley, and dried spices to the pot, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil. Once the soup boils, reduce the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes to heat and for the flavors to meld together.
Slow Cooker: Cook the bacon and all the vegetables as directed in the recipe. Then add everything to your slow cooker. Cover with a lid and cook for 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high.

Dietary Modifications & Variations

Vegetarian: Ditch the bacon and chicken and be sure to use vegetable broth. I like to add an extra can of white beans to make it a bit heartier. If you want to add back in some of the smokiness you get from the bacon you can season it with some smoked paprika.
Ground Meat: Swap the rotisserie chicken for ground chicken, ground turkey, or even ground beef. Cook it along with the bacon and onions at the start of cooking. Be sure to drain off any excess grease before continuing.
Spicy: If you like your soup on the spicy side you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper for a bit of heat.
Add Pasta: You can add any short al dente pasta if you want! I suggest cooking it separately, adding it to the bowl, and ladling the soup over the top. This prevents the pasta from soaking up too much of the broth or becoming overly mushy.
More Veggies: Feel free to swap any of the vegetables for your favorites.

A spoon held up above a bowl of chicken minestrone soup.

Expert Tips

Garnish and Flavor: Garnish your bowl of healthy chicken minestrone soup with some parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. You can also stir in a spoonful of pesto for added flavor.
Serving: Enjoy your bowl of chicken minestrone with a grilled cheese, some crusty bread, or veggie sandwich wrap. It also can be enjoyed as a main course along with a salad and some breadsticks.

Recipe FAQs

What other vegetables work well to make minestrone?

While the vegetables in this recipe are commonly found in a classic minestrone soup you should feel free to swap them out if you want. Yellow squash makes an easy swap for the zucchini. You can also add in some mushrooms or green beans and stir in some fresh greens such as spinach or kale right at the end of cooking.

Does minestrone soup contain pasta?

Yes, it does! I've left the pasta out of this recipe to keep it gluten-free but you can definitely serve it up with pasta if you prefer. Ditalini pasta, small shells, or macaroni are popular options.

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