How to Make Leftover Chicken Soup

We love soup, so we’ve put together some helpful tips for how to make the best leftover chicken soup that tastes fresh, homemade, and full of flavor.

Since it’s just the three of us (plus a cat), our family almost always has leftovers. One thing we seem to have on repeat is leftover cooked chicken, whether it’s from rotisserie chicken, shredded chicken, roast chicken, or baked chicken breasts.

There are so many ways to use it, but my favorite is always soup. There’s something so comforting about turning leftover chicken into an easy homemade soup that feels brand new.

How to Make Soup with Leftover Chicken

I love it when we have leftover chicken in the fridge. Here are a few simple ways to turn what you already have into something truly delicious:

Tip 1: Start with a flavorful base. Depending on what’s in your kitchen, create a base with onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Chop the onions, celery, and carrots into bite-sized pieces (around ½-inch), which gives your soup a nice, hearty texture.

Tip 2: Build flavor slowly. For the tastiest homemade soup, cook the soup in layers.

1. Start with the veggies in a bit of oil or butter and cook them until they look sweaty and smell a little sweet.
2. Add dried herbs and seasonings, followed by stock (store-bought broth or homemade chicken stock is perfect). For 2 cups of chicken, I like about 4 cups of broth.
3. Let everything simmer for 20 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.
4. Add your leftover cooked chicken towards the end to warm up (adding earlier would overcook it).

Tip 3: Add something hearty. To make the soup more filling, stir in pasta, rice, or potatoes:

• For 4 cups of broth, use about ½ to ¾ cup uncooked rice or pasta, or 1 large potato cut into cubes.
• Add rice when you add the stock (it needs the full 20-minute simmer).
• Add pasta about 10 minutes before serving to avoid overcooking.
• For potatoes, add them about 5 minutes into cooking your base vegetables.

Tip 4: Season as you go. Before adding the stock, toss in a bay leaf and about a tablespoon of herbes de Provence, Greek seasoning, or Italian seasoning per 4 cups of stock. Also, don’t forget to season every layer with salt and pepper, as this makes all the difference in the end.

Tip 5: Add extras for richness. For even more flavor, consider one or more of these extras:

• Stir in a can of diced tomatoes for a more flavorful broth.
• Or add a can of beans (rinse them first) for extra protein and texture.
• Have some leftover mashed potatoes? Stir them in to thicken the soup naturally.
• For a creamier, more luscious soup, finish with ¼ cup of cream, half-and-half, or a spoonful of mascarpone cheese to melt right into the broth. It rounds out the flavors beautifully.

My Favorite Soup Recipes for Leftover Chicken

• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
• Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
• Chicken and Vegetable Soup
• White Chicken Chili