This Roast Chicken Soup uses leftovers to create a hearty meal filled with nutritional vegetables. Create a crowd-pleasing meal from last night's leftovers that has comfort written all over it.
Roast chicken is an almost effortless dish to prepare and always satisfies a hungry crowd. I like to roast mine perched atop a bed of root vegetables. The vegetables rest in a little white wine and chicken stock bath. The juices from the bird drip down into the pan and infuse the root vegetables. This technique results in tender and flavorful vegetables. While the chicken is thoroughly enjoyed by all, there are always leftovers. We usually end up with the dark meat hidden between the bones, the underside of the bird and even some white breast meat. Not to mention – save the entire carcass to make bone broth!
This Roast Chicken soup is the solution to using up all of the extra vegetables as well as the leftover chicken. It's a hearty soup and will warm your body right up on a cold day. If your family devours the meat from the roast chicken then you may need to add in a few extra chicken breasts, but since I cook for a family of 2.5 we always have leftovers. We like to serve it with this Moroccan Chicken Salad but I leave the chicken off since the soup is like a meal in itself.
Eileen Huddleston
This soup looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! I do wish there was a way to print “just” the recipe from your page. It uses up a lot of ink because it prints the whole page. And a lot of paper. Something to consider.
Thanks!!
Karen
You can copy the recipe to a word doc and print if from there. That’s what I do.
JAM
,,,, or just copy and paste into an e-mail to yourself, file it and never print it.
I have most of the leftovers and will definitely try this tomorrow. Thank you!
Rabekah
This looks delicious; excited to try it!
Kathy
Perfect for a cold day, lovely quick easy and tastey, loved your photo’s and that you used afforable and available ingredients. Thank you!
Sheila Scott
This soup was fantastic. I will be definitely be making it again to enjoy over the next cooler months.
kim e miles
Your recipe is amazing! and I would like to post to facebook , or “pin” it, to spread the word. How do I do that? Thank you!
Against All Grain
You can use my “pin it” button underneath the photo at the top. And on the homepage you should be able to share to Facebook
consideritjoybaking
This looks delicious–I am a huge fan of soups in the winter. This is our first winter on the SCD diet, so I am overhauling our soup repertoire. Thanks for all your hard work.
Karen
Can’t wait to try the soup! I love the bowl in the picture too? Are they handcrafted or did you purchase the set?
Against All Grain
My dad made it back in the 70’s 🙂
Kim
Delicious! And so easy to throw together! Thanks
Katherine
Can you eat sprouted grain flours? I have been reading about them and thought of you.
Nicole
This soup is amazing! My family couldn’t get enough. So easy and so much flavor!
marla
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
Against All Grain
Thanks Marla! Look forward to seeing the post
CCFood
Looks quite appetite. Do you remove the chicken skin beforehand?
Against All Grain
Good question – yes I do remove the skins!
Penina
Hi Danielle,
Do you have a recipe for homemade stock (chicken or beef)? I’m trying to incorporate homemade stock into my daily diet, but can’t say I’m really loving it all that much. Any guidance is appreciated!
Thanks,
Penina
Against All Grain
I base mine off of Sally Fallon, but there is one coming in the book!
Melissa
I made this soup last night and is was PHENOMENAL! Thanks so much for posting this. I have just recently been introducing myself to squashes (I had only ever been forced to eat yellow squash when I was young, which I never really liked, and therefore have always steered clear of squash) and so last night was my first time to have butternut squash… YUM. Definitely going in my favorite recipes box 🙂
stephanie
I use the Pepperplate app for iPad and copy and past to that so I have a great database of wonderful recipes to use. No paper required.
Athomeattorney
Love the orange color with the green. I can’t wait to make it with some leftover chicken from tonight’s dinner. Thanks for the great recipe.
Gutsy Girl
I know this is an elementary question, but I almost never make soups with meats so I haven’t learned yet…
If making this soup using raw chicken, do I cook it in that stock? You said “For raw chicken breasts, cook for about 45 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred with a fork.” But I wasn’t sure if that meant do it in the oven or actually do it in the stock you’ve got going?
(By the way, this soup looks AMAZING and I’m excited about trying it!)
Gutsy Girl
Against All Grain
Go ahead and cook it in right with the soup!
Tia
I’m typically not a fan of chicken soup, rarely make it in fact. But your version was so pretty-looking (and contained squash and spinach–two veggies I love) I decided to give it a try. I’m very glad I did. The soup looked so gorgeous (the combination of colorful veggies and the squash-broth) I actually clapped! Ha! And it tasted delicious as well. Thank you for this recipe. Look forward to trying others on your site. Cheers.
Rachel S.
May be a silly question but can this be adapted to be in a crockpot?
Stacie Bee
Just made this soup tonight, and it is AMAZING. Some of the veggies made it into my mouth before the blender, and the pot, but it was still so good. This recipe will definitely be a go to meal for me this fall and winter.
Sheila
Om my goodness!I added pine nuts and spice to add some heat. All I can say Danielle is that if I could have licked my little bowl I would have. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes.
Kerrie
i made this soup for tea tonight and it is very yummy! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes Danielle – all I need now is more time to try them all!
Monica
My family LOVES this soup!!! Amazing! Thank you!
lana
Will make on wknd but silly question what does SCD stand for?
Carla
https://scdlifestyle.com/about-the-scd-diet/
Meredith
delish!
Amanda
Made this last and it is SOOOO delicious! I must say, I’m not a huge soup fan – I’d rather eat a bowl of chowder (which is so not healthy!), but my husband loves soup so I tried this one out for him. I Love how this is so creamy, and not broth-like as many soups are (does that make sense? haha). Thank you for this recpie – my husband and I think it is delicious and perfect for this time of the year.
Angela
This soup is absolutely incredible! I have been searching for a vegetable soup that didn’t include white potatoes and my search ends here. I’ve made a lot of soups in my day and this is by far my favorite. You’re amazing 🙂
Teresa
This soup is delicious.Very easy to make. I added kale instead of the spinach. YUM!!
Sarah
I made a version of this soup after seeing the link on a friend’s FB page. It is incredible!! I used a bit more squash and no sweet potato, and lots of kale instead of spinach. I literally could not stop eating it.
Amy Richert
Just made this, delicious! I’m new to the Paleo world and am nervous recipes won’t be satisfying. This is so warm, hearty and perfect for this cold weather. I will be trying many more recipes. Thank you!
Against All Grain
Thank you Amy! So glad you liked it!
Heather
Love this soup! You should consider renaming it “Best Soup Ever!”
Against All Grain
Thank you Heather!
Ashley
This is absolutely scrumptious!! I made it today to help combat a sore throat and fever. I used all butternut squash (GAPS friendly) and used kale instead of the spinach – YUM! I am having trouble digesting onion at the moment so I omitted it but don’t miss it at all. I love the color of this soup too! All around amazing 🙂 I made coconut flour biscuits to dip into the soup and I’m feeling better already. Looking forward to the leftovers for sure
Choy
This look absolutely delicious and looks easy to make 🙂 I’m going to give this one a try tonight for Dinner. This may soon be a family favorite 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Debbie
Love this soup!!!
Stephanie
I puréed all the roasted veggies since my kids aren’t fans of veggie chunks. Also used some lite coconut milk when I puréed the veggies and added a can of fire roasted tomatoes, omitted the sweet potato as I didn’t have one. This one’s a keeper!
Claudia
This soup is delish! I accidentally added ginger instead of garlic at first. I found this to be a happy mistake. The ginger was a nice compliment.
Marv Ack
Brilliant!!! Ginger goes so well with sweet potatoes-yams-butternut squash… Why the h didn’t I think of that?!?!
Realspear
Great recipe. I used fresh herbs instead of dried, came out great. Also, I threw my leftover chicken in with the bones – chopped it into chunks – and then shredded it and tossed the bones before I put the vegetables in.
Edward
I always have cooked chicken that I throughout the week, I’m going to try this recipe. Thanks so much!
https://www.theincrediblehealth.com
wendy
Danielle~
Thank you for your wonderful recipes! I first came across your awesome blog for this recipe and my husband and I fell in love with it! We were on a nutrition detox and this is one of the recipes that convinced my husband to continue on and keep eating “cleaner”!
Thank you for sharing your passion and your creations. May you continue to have fun experimenting in the kitchen and sharing your journey. I have shared your blog with at least a dozen friends (several are “glutards” and many not); we are all appreciative!
Thanks again,
WA
Debbie Hines
Some of the best soups are made using leftover vegetables. This is a great post!
Karen Buchheit
I really like your soup. Thank you.
Ule
This continues to be a family favorite, I probably make it every other week we love it so much!
Joy
Love this soup!! just wondering how many calories per cup? Thanks.
Danielle
We are working to provide that information in the future. In the meantime, there are a number of great nutritional information calculators online or available as mobile apps.
It's Me
I’m really big on making soups in the crock pot. I can prep the night before, then combine everything in the crock pot in the morning, go to work (not to worry, BF is home), and then be greeted with warm soup when I get home. Do you have any recipes that would work in the crock pot?
Danielle
My Crockpot Mexican Chicken Soup is a fan favorite https://againstallgrain.com/2012/01/08/crock-pot-mexican-chicken-soup-with-cheddar-cheese-chips/!
JustMe
This is a great soup! I used the uncooked chicken breasts. I think next time, I will use more vegetables and less chicken. (about half to 3/4 the amount of chicken and 50 to 75% more vegetables). I made a couple changes to reduce sodium and sugar:
1. A touch more of each of the spices (to enhance flavor from lost salt)
2. A little more than 3/4 tsp salt
3. Low sodium, no sugar added chicken stock
4. Acorn squash vs butternut
I also used avocado oil to roast the vegetables due to not wanting to cook olive oil at high heat.
Kim
Just wanted to let you know that I made this soup last night, it was delicious 🙂 Thank you for all that you do
boxer8989
What is “SCD”?
Emma
I am guessing The Specific Carbohydrate Diet
Lizzie
If using olive oil to roast, use regular olive oil instead of extra virgin. It can take the high heat!
Jena
“specific carbohydrate diet” I believe
ErinG
Would you know how well this would freeze into individual containers to than heat up as needed. Work on the road and bring a thermos with me. Looks super yummy
ernin
Would anyone know how well this would freeze to individual bowls to be than warmed back up?
Jill
I was wondering the same thing!
Lara
I’ve frozen this soup a few times and it works great. I leave the spinach out, and add it fresh when I heat it up.
Peg
Danielle, I discovered this recipe last Fall and I was so excited when I started to see all the beautiful root vegetables at my Farmer’s Market! I call mine “Root Soup”, as I use any root vegetable I can find! Today at the Farmer’s Market I found purple carrots and celery root to add to my sweet potatoes and butternut squash! I can’t wait to get home and start roasting! Thank you for the great recipe. It leaves so much room for improvisation, which makes it so much fun… and it always comes out delicious 🙂
Sharon
I just made this and it is – beyond a doubt – the best chicken soup I have ever had!
I now I will be making it over and over again! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe.
Danielle
Hi Nicole, this recipe should serve 4-6. ~Eileen
Christal Wright
Hi! I have a family of 7. How much more of the ingredients do you suggest?
lisamiamoore
Delicious!!!
Michael Ann Myers
Thank you for this yummy recipe! As a whole foods plant based eater (think vegan on steroids, lol, b/c no oils or sugars, etc.) I modified it by leaving out the olive oil, used Protective Diet plant-based broth mix (available on Amazon) in place of the chicken stock, and substituted a 15 oz can of Jackfruit for the chicken. I must say, it was excellent!
Ilene
Hi Danielle!! Feeling a cold coming on and making this today. Can I do this in the instant pot instead of the stove? Just not sure of the times, although I may roast the chicken and vegetables together in the oven then add to the broth. That sounds good!! Is there an easy way to convert recipes for the instant pot that you know of?
lanieh
This chicken soup is so delicious. The recipe is perfect as is. It’s easy to make and full of flavour!
Valerie
I’ve been making this for about four or five years now and I always double the recipe because everybody wants it!!! Its so good!! Best ever for a cold day!!♥️🙂
Danielle
It’s such a comforting and warming soup! It’s one of our favorites!
Sara W.
Hi there: This is one of my all-time favorites! Do you have calorie and serving size info? I am trying to log it in my food tracking. Thanks.
Danielle
Hi! I don’t but you can use MyFitnessPal app to help you calculate the information you’re looking for!
Faye Evans
Hey there! A friend gave me this recipe and I love IT! I went ahead and bought the Against the grain cookbook but the recipe isn’t in there. Can you explain where it is or is it only on line? Thanks!!!!
Danielle
Hi! This one is just on the blog!
connie
This soup is SO good, I have made it many times thank you Danielle
Danielle
You’re welcome!
Jan
With the first spoonful, my husband said your soup was superb. Then when he finished his second bowl, he said it the was the best soup I’ve ever made! I’ve been married for 52 years, and have made more than a few pots of great soup in my time. So Danielle, you just got paid the ultimate compliment in Soup Land!!
Stephanie Morris
Does the uncooked chicken go in the chicken stock and still use the chicken stock? Does that kill the bacteria? Dumb question I know.
Danielle
Hi Stephanie! No question is a dumb question – I appreciate you asking for clarification! If using raw chicken, you would follow the instructions as written in instructions #3. I hope that helps & enjoy! This is one of my all time favorite soup recipes!!
Amy Lee
The BEST ever? I rarely make any other soup, and I’m using holiday leftovers to try it with turkey today!
Danielle
That’s a great idea!
Laurie
We’ve made this soup over and over again. One of our favorites. It’s a no fail when you have. Crowd to feed too!