Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable)

A comforting soup with tender chicken, potatoes, and nutrient-packed collard greens simmered in aromatic broth.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz) or 3 thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
06 - 4 cups collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Broth & Seasonings

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Oil

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot, followed by the diced potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
04 - Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and shred using two forks into bite-sized pieces.
06 - Return the shredded chicken to the soup. Add the chopped collard greens and simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the greens are tender.
07 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The broth develops this incredible depth that somehow makes you feel stronger with each spoonful, especially when youre feeling under the weather.
  • It strikes that perfect balance between hearty and light, filling you up without weighing you down like heavier stews tend to do.
02 -
  • I once rushed the collard greens and only simmered them for 5 minutes, resulting in tough, chewy leaves that detracted from the whole experience.
  • The soup tastes significantly better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld, so dont hesitate to make it ahead of time.
03 -
  • When chopping collard greens, remove the tough center stem completely, then stack the leaves and roll them into a tight cylinder before slicing into thin ribbons for the most elegant texture.
  • If you have time, simmer the emptied chicken bones in the broth for 20 extra minutes before adding the shredded meat back in for a noticeably richer flavor profile.
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