Green Bean and Chicken Soup: A Hearty, Healthy Comfort Food
This hearty Green Bean and Chicken Soup is a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for cold-weather dinners. Packed with flavor, gluten-free, and made with a creamy roux, it's a must-try for soup lovers! Get the full recipe now.
As you know, soups are all the rage here at the cottage lately. They are fulfilling, easy to make, last for several days, and, you guessed it, an easy way to drop a few pounds. Comfort foods can grace our tables in a variety of ways, and soup is the way to go for us. There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of homemade soup to nourish both body and soul, especially during the colder months.
If you have been reading along with us, then you know soup has been a hot topic here. In all honesty, I love soup because they are so easy to make. You basically throw the ingredients together, let them simmer, and forget about it. As you know, I am a huge fan of making dinner once and then eating it throughout the week. It saves time, energy, and let’s be real—fewer dishes to wash at the end of the night is always a win!
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The Convenience of Making Soup in Large Batches
It’s not that this gal doesn’t like to cook, but sometimes feeling tied to the kitchen night after night gets pretty dull for me. I love to try new things, but creating every night becomes daunting. That’s another reason I love to make big pots of food—so I’m not stuck in the kitchen every night of the week.
I can get bored pretty easily making the same dinner week after week. I did it for many years while I worked full-time. The slow cooker was my BFF for many years. I would throw ingredients in, set it, and forget it while I was working away from home.
Then Bentley graced us with his presence, and leaving a crockpot on all day wasn’t as appealing. I always worried about leaving it unattended once he took over our home. I say that lovingly, but the stinker sure has had a way of taking over around here, and his safety is always our number one priority. So now, I opt for cooking soups on the stovetop when I can keep an eye on them.
A New Soup Experiment: Green Bean and Chicken Soup
Well, let’s get into a new recipe share—how about a green bean and chicken soup? I had to try it! I’ve been brainstorming different ways to turn everyday ingredients into a warm, comforting soup. Plus, I recently discovered a new method for making a roux, and I thought, "I have to give this a try!"
Green Bean and Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
2 packages (10 oz) frozen green beans
1 package (12 oz) frozen sliced carrots
3 chicken thighs
1 onion, chopped
4 celery heart stalks, sliced
4 potatoes, chopped
1 (32 oz) container chicken broth
2 T garlic powder
1 t smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Roux:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 T gluten-free flour (or regular flour)
1 ladle full of broth from soup
Instructions:
In a large stockpot, place chicken thighs, frozen vegetables, onion, and spices. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and vegetables begin to soften.
Place chopped potatoes into a microwave-safe dish, add about 3 T of water, and microwave for 5 minutes on high. Remove and add to the stockpot.
Add celery hearts and chicken broth.
Remove cooked chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and add it back into the pot.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, flour, and a ladle full of broth from the soup to make the roux. Stir well to eliminate any lumps.
Add the roux to the stockpot, mixing well with the rest of the soup ingredients.
Allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes, then serve hot.
Why Green Beans in Soup?
I had never really thought about making a soup with green beans before, but my husband really likes them, and I thought, why not? Sometimes you just have to give something a try to see if it will work. In this case, it worked beautifully! The green beans added a nice texture, and he reported that he really enjoyed the thicker consistency as a change from our regular soup routine.
Green beans are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, making them a great addition to any meal. They are also naturally low in calories, which makes this soup a healthy, weight-loss-friendly option. If you’re looking for ways to include more vegetables in your diet, this soup is a perfect choice.
The Magic of a Roux in Soup
Trying sour cream as a roux was something new to me. I am sure seasoned cooks have done this before, but I was curious. I have to tell you, there are no lumps when you try it this way, and I really liked adding the broth from the soup to the roux before incorporating it into the pot. It just adds that extra layer of flavor and helps to thicken the soup beautifully.
Tips for Customizing This Soup
One of the best things about homemade soup is how easy it is to customize based on what you have on hand. Here are a few variations you might want to try:
Swap out the protein: If you don’t have chicken thighs, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken, turkey, or even ground beef for a different flavor profile.
Add more vegetables: If you love heartier soups, consider adding mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
Make it creamy: For an even richer texture, add a splash of heavy cream or an extra dollop of sour cream.
Kick up the spice: If you like a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
Why This Soup is a Must-Try
This hearty green bean and chicken soup is perfect for cold-weather meals, healthy dinner ideas, and easy gluten-free recipes. Whether you’re meal prepping, looking for low-calorie comfort food, or just love a homemade soup recipe, this dish checks all the boxes. Plus, using frozen vegetables in soup is a great way to save time without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Give This Recipe a Try
This homemade chicken and vegetable soup is a new favorite at our house, and I hope it becomes one for you too. It’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s an excellent way to sneak in extra veggies while keeping dinner simple and stress-free. If you give it a try, let me know how you like it!
What’s your go-to soup recipe? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
