Chicken soup is a simple meal that can be warm, filling, and easy to make. If you want a meal with more protein and fewer calories, chicken soup is a great choice. You can add lean chicken, vegetables, beans, and simple seasonings without making the soup heavy. These high protein low calorie chicken soup recipes are perfect for lunch, dinner, meal prep, or a light meal on a cold day.
The best part is that you do not need a lot of cream, butter, or oil to make chicken soup taste good. Simple ingredients such as garlic, onion, herbs, lemon, and chicken broth can add plenty of flavor. You can also change the vegetables and seasonings to make each recipe a little different. Here are 12 easy chicken soup recipes to try when you want something healthy and filling.
1. Classic High Protein Chicken Vegetable Soup
This simple chicken vegetable soup is a great place to start. It uses lean chicken breast, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and chicken broth. The vegetables add flavor and make the soup more filling without adding many calories. Chicken breast also gives the soup a good amount of protein.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Make It
Add the broth, water, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to a large pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the chicken breast and seasonings. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked, then remove it and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken to the pot and let everything cook together for a few more minutes.
2. Lemon Chicken Soup
Lemon gives chicken soup a fresh and light flavor. This recipe is great when you want something warm but do not want a heavy meal. Chicken breast provides protein, while lemon and herbs keep the soup fresh and bright. You can add spinach for more vegetables without adding many calories.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Black pepper to taste
How to Make It
Cook the onion, garlic, and carrot in a large pot with a small amount of broth. Add the chicken and remaining broth, then simmer until the chicken is cooked. Remove and shred the chicken before returning it to the pot. Stir in spinach and lemon juice near the end and cook until the spinach becomes soft.
3. Chicken and White Bean Soup
White beans can add extra protein and fiber to chicken soup. This makes the soup more filling and can help you stay satisfied for longer. Use skinless chicken breast and low-sodium beans to keep the meal simple. A few herbs give the soup plenty of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Black pepper to taste
How to Make It
Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, chicken, and broth to a large pot. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and shred it, then return it to the pot. Add the white beans and Italian seasoning and cook for another 5–10 minutes.
4. Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Soup
If you like food with a little heat, this spicy chicken soup is a great option. Chili powder, paprika, and a little cayenne can add flavor without adding many calories. You can also add bell peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini for more vegetables. The result is a warm and filling soup with plenty of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Optional pinch of cayenne
How to Make It
Place the onion, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, and broth in a pot. Add the chicken and spices, then bring the soup to a gentle boil. Lower the heat and cook until the chicken is fully cooked. Shred the chicken and return it to the soup before adding the zucchini for the final few minutes.
5. Chicken and Cauliflower Soup
Cauliflower is a useful vegetable when you want a soup that feels filling without adding a lot of calories. It has a mild taste and works well with chicken and herbs. You can keep the soup chunky or blend some of the cauliflower to make the broth thicker. This recipe is also a good option when you want a lower-carb chicken soup.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 celery stalk
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It
Add the onion, garlic, celery, cauliflower, chicken, and broth to a pot. Cook until the chicken and cauliflower are tender. Remove and shred the chicken. If you want a thicker soup, blend part of the cauliflower and broth before adding the chicken back.
6. Chicken Tortilla Soup
A lighter chicken tortilla soup can give you the flavor of a classic comfort meal without making the soup too heavy. Use lean chicken, tomatoes, beans, and plenty of vegetables. Instead of adding a large amount of fried tortilla strips, use a small amount of baked tortilla strips on top. Fresh lime and cilantro can add even more flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Lime juice to taste
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make It
Cook the onion, garlic, and bell pepper with a little broth. Add the tomatoes, beans, broth, chicken, and spices. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, then shred it and return it to the pot. Finish with lime juice and cilantro and add a small amount of baked tortilla strips when serving.
7. Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup
You can make chicken soup creamy without using a lot of heavy cream. Greek yogurt can give the soup a creamy texture while also adding protein. The key is to add the yogurt after lowering the heat so it stays smooth. Chicken, carrots, celery, and spinach make this a filling meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 carrot
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 small onion
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Cook the chicken, vegetables, garlic, and broth until the chicken is done. Remove and shred the chicken. Lower the heat and slowly stir in the Greek yogurt. Add the chicken and spinach and cook for a few more minutes without bringing the soup to a strong boil.
8. Chicken and Lentil Soup
Lentils are another easy way to add protein and fiber to chicken soup. They also make the soup more filling without needing a lot of oil or cream. Use chicken breast, vegetables, lentils, and simple spices for a hearty meal. This soup is especially good for meal prep because it holds up well in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 3/4 cup dry lentils, rinsed
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Add the lentils, vegetables, garlic, spices, chicken, and broth to a large pot. Simmer until the lentils are tender and the chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken and shred it. Return the chicken to the pot and cook for a few more minutes before serving.
9. Chicken and Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms add a rich taste to soup while keeping the meal fairly light. They work well with chicken, garlic, onion, and thyme. For a creamy taste without heavy cream, you can add a little plain Greek yogurt at the end. This makes a warm soup that feels comforting but is still simple.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 3 cups sliced mushrooms
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, optional
- Black pepper to taste
How to Make It
Cook the onion, garlic, and mushrooms in a large pot with a little broth. Add the chicken and remaining broth, then simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot. If using Greek yogurt, lower the heat and stir it in slowly before serving.
10. Chicken and Zucchini Soup
Zucchini is light, easy to cook, and works well in a simple chicken soup. It also adds volume to the meal without making it heavy. Use garlic, onion, herbs, and lemon to give the soup more flavor. This is a good option for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 carrot
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Lemon juice to taste
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Add the onion, garlic, carrot, chicken, and broth to a pot. Cook until the chicken is done, then remove and shred it. Add the zucchini and cook until tender but not too soft. Return the chicken to the pot and finish with lemon juice and black pepper.
11. Mexican Chicken Soup
This Mexican-style chicken soup is full of simple flavors and colorful vegetables. Chicken, tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, and spices make the soup filling and tasty. You can control the heat by adding more or less chili powder. Serve it with fresh lime and cilantro instead of heavy toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Lime and cilantro for serving
How to Make It
Cook the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a large pot with a little broth. Add the tomatoes, beans, corn, chicken, spices, and remaining broth. Simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. Shred the chicken and return it to the soup, then add lime juice and cilantro before serving.
12. Chicken Spinach Soup
Chicken and spinach make a very simple high-protein soup. Spinach cooks quickly, so it can be added near the end of cooking. Garlic, onion, lemon, and herbs keep the soup light but flavorful. You can also add mushrooms or zucchini if you want more vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 carrot
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- Lemon juice to taste
- Black pepper
How to Make It
Place the chicken, broth, onion, garlic, and carrot in a large pot. Cook until the chicken is fully done. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Add spinach, parsley, thyme, and lemon juice and cook for another few minutes until the spinach is soft.
How to Make Chicken Soup High in Protein
The easiest way to increase protein is to use plenty of lean chicken breast. You can also add beans, lentils, or Greek yogurt depending on the recipe. These ingredients can make the soup more filling while adding useful protein. Try to avoid relying on heavy cream or large amounts of cheese when your goal is a lighter soup.
Another easy tip is to use a good amount of chicken compared with the amount of broth. You can also add extra chicken to a soup after cooking if you want more protein. For meal prep, divide the soup into single portions so you know how much you are eating at each meal.
How to Keep Chicken Soup Low in Calories
Start with lean chicken breast and plenty of vegetables. Use low-sodium chicken broth and limit added oil, butter, cream, and cheese. You can still get a lot of flavor from garlic, onion, herbs, spices, lemon juice, lime juice, and fresh vegetables.
You should also watch high-calorie toppings. Instead of a large amount of cheese, sour cream, or fried tortilla strips, use fresh herbs, lemon, lime, or a small amount of Greek yogurt. These small changes can keep the soup lighter while still making it taste good.
Tips for Meal Prep
Chicken soup is easy to make ahead, which makes it useful for busy days. Let the soup cool before putting it into airtight containers. Store it in the refrigerator and use it within about 3–4 days for best quality.
You can also freeze many chicken soups for later. Soups with vegetables, chicken, beans, and broth usually freeze well. If you are making a creamy soup, check the recipe before freezing because dairy ingredients can sometimes change texture after thawing.
How to Serve High Protein Chicken Soup
Chicken soup can be a complete meal when it contains enough chicken and vegetables. If you want more food with your soup, add a small piece of whole-grain toast or a simple side salad. For a lower-calorie meal, keep the side light and focus on the soup itself.
Fresh herbs can also make a big difference. Add parsley, cilantro, green onions, lemon, or lime just before serving. A little fresh flavor can make a simple soup taste much better without adding many calories.
Easy Swaps for These Soup Recipes
You can change many of these recipes based on what you already have at home. Chicken breast can be replaced with leftover cooked chicken, as long as it is safely stored and reheated properly. Spinach can be replaced with kale, zucchini can be replaced with broccoli, and white beans can be replaced with chickpeas or another bean.
You can also change the seasonings to fit your taste. Use Italian herbs for a simple soup, cumin and chili powder for a Mexican-style soup, or lemon and thyme for a fresh flavor. The goal is to keep the base simple and use ingredients that help you enjoy the meal.
A Simple Way to Build Your Own Chicken Soup
You do not always need a recipe to make a good healthy chicken soup. Start with lean chicken, a low-calorie broth, two or three vegetables, and a few seasonings. Add beans or lentils if you want more protein and fiber.
Let everything cook until the chicken and vegetables are ready, then taste the broth. Add more herbs, lemon, pepper, or spices if needed. This simple method gives you many ways to make a healthy soup without making the same recipe every time.
These high protein low calorie chicken soup recipes are simple enough for busy days and flexible enough to change based on your taste. You can choose a fresh lemon chicken soup, a filling lentil soup, a spicy Mexican-style soup, or a simple chicken and vegetable soup. Using lean chicken and plenty of vegetables helps create meals that are filling without relying on heavy ingredients. With a few basic ingredients, you can make a warm and healthy chicken soup that works for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
