This hearty ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and alphabet pasta in a soul-warming broth that’s perfect for any season. Our complete ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) recipe transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal that both kids and adults will love, delivering complete nutrition in every satisfying spoonful.
SERVES: 4 | PREP: 20 MIN | COOK: 25 MIN | TOTAL: 45 MIN
Ingredients
Protein & Base
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Boneless chicken thighs | 1 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces |
| Chicken broth | 6 cups |
| Water | 2 cups |
Vegetables
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Carrots | 2 medium, diced |
| Celery stalks | 2, chopped |
| Onion | 1 medium, diced |
| Potatoes | 2 small, cubed |
| Corn kernels | 1 cup (fresh or frozen) |
| Green beans | 1 cup, trimmed and cut |
Seasonings & Pasta
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alphabet pasta | 1 cup |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Dried thyme | 1 teaspoon |
| Bay leaves | 2 |
| Fresh parsley | ¼ cup, chopped |
Step-by-Step ABC Soup (Chicken & Veggie Soup) Instructions
Phase 1: Preparation (5 minutes)
- Gather all ingredients first. Place everything on your counter so you can cook without stopping to search for items. This method, called “mise en place,” prevents overcooking and reduces stress.
- Prepare your cutting board safely. Use a large cutting board and place a damp kitchen towel underneath to prevent sliding. This creates a stable surface for safe chopping.
- Start with the onion. Cut off both ends of the onion, then peel away the papery outer skin. Cut the onion in half from top to bottom, then place flat side down and make horizontal cuts, followed by vertical cuts to create uniform ½-inch dice pieces.
- Dice carrots properly. Wash and peel carrots using a vegetable peeler. Cut into 2-inch sections, then cut each section lengthwise into strips, and finally cut strips into ½-inch cubes. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking in your ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup).
- Prepare celery correctly. Wash celery stalks and trim off the leafy tops (save leaves for garnish if desired). Cut stalks into ½-inch pieces, cutting at a slight angle for better presentation.
- Cube potatoes evenly. Wash potatoes thoroughly but leave skin on for extra nutrition. Cut into ¾-inch cubes – slightly larger than other vegetables since potatoes take longer to cook through.
- Prepare chicken safely. Place chicken thighs on a separate cutting board to prevent cross-contamination. Pat dry with paper towels, then cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Wash your hands and sanitize the cutting board immediately after.
Phase 2: Building the Flavor Base (10 minutes)
- Heat your pot properly. Choose a heavy-bottomed soup pot (at least 6 quarts) and place over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom completely. The oil is ready when it shimmers but doesn’t smoke.
- Test oil temperature safely. Drop a small piece of onion into the oil – it should sizzle immediately but not violently. If it doesn’t sizzle, wait another minute. If it splatters aggressively, reduce heat slightly.
- Brown chicken in batches. Add half the chicken pieces to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding steams the chicken instead of browning it. Let chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip chicken carefully. Use tongs or a spatula to turn each piece, revealing a golden-brown crust. Cook another 2-3 minutes on the second side. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked – it will finish cooking in the broth.
- Remove first batch and repeat. Transfer browned chicken to a clean plate and repeat browning process with remaining chicken. This step creates deep flavor that makes restaurant-quality ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) at home.
- Start building aromatics. Without cleaning the pot (those brown bits add flavor), reduce heat to medium and add diced onions to the same pot. The moisture from onions will help lift those flavorful brown bits from the bottom.
- Cook onions to translucency. Stir onions constantly for 2-3 minutes until they become see-through and fragrant. If they start browning too quickly, reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add carrots and celery. Stir in diced carrots and celery, cooking for another 3-4 minutes. These vegetables should start to soften slightly but still have some crunch. This combination is called “mirepoix” and forms the flavor foundation.
Phase 3: Liquid Foundation (5 minutes)
- Return chicken to pot. Add all the browned chicken pieces back to the pot with vegetables. Stir gently to combine and let cook together for 1 minute to meld flavors.
- Add liquids slowly. Pour chicken broth in gradually to avoid splashing hot oil. Start with 2 cups, stirring to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom, then add remaining broth and water.
- Check liquid levels. The liquid should cover all ingredients by about 2 inches. If needed, add more water until you reach this level. Too little liquid will result in thick, concentrated soup rather than the light broth traditional in ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup).
- Season the base carefully. Add salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Start with less salt than the recipe calls for – you can always add more later, but you can’t remove excess salt easily.
- Bring to proper boil. Increase heat to high and bring soup to a rolling boil – you’ll see large bubbles breaking the surface continuously. This should take 3-4 minutes.
Phase 4: Vegetable Cooking Phase (12 minutes)
- Reduce to gentle simmer. Once boiling, immediately reduce heat to medium-low. You want small bubbles gently breaking the surface, not violent boiling which will make vegetables mushy and chicken tough.
- Add potatoes first. Drop cubed potatoes into the simmering soup and stir gently. Potatoes need the longest cooking time – about 10 minutes total – to become tender without falling apart.
- Cover partially for even cooking. Place the lid on the pot but leave it slightly askew to allow steam to escape. This maintains consistent temperature while preventing too much liquid from evaporating.
- Test potato doneness. After 5 minutes, pierce a potato cube with a fork. It should go in easily but still offer slight resistance. If still hard, cook 2-3 minutes longer before proceeding.
- Add quick-cooking vegetables. Stir in green beans and corn kernels. These vegetables cook quickly and maintain better color and texture when added later in the process.
- Adjust heat as needed. Watch your soup carefully – if it’s bubbling too vigorously, reduce heat further. If barely simmering, increase heat slightly. Consistent gentle simmering is key to perfect ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup).
Phase 5: Pasta and Final Assembly (10 minutes)
- Increase heat for pasta. Raise heat to medium so soup returns to a more active simmer. Pasta needs moving liquid to cook evenly and prevent sticking together.
- Add alphabet pasta carefully. Pour pasta into soup in a steady stream while stirring continuously. This prevents pasta from clumping together in one spot.
- Stir immediately and frequently. For the first 2 minutes, stir every 30 seconds to prevent pasta from sticking to pot bottom. The starch released from pasta can cause sticking if not stirred.
- Monitor pasta cooking closely. Cook for 6-8 minutes total, testing pasta every 2 minutes after the first 4 minutes. Pasta should be tender but still have a slight firmness when bitten – “al dente.”
- Check chicken doneness. Cut into a larger piece of chicken to ensure it’s completely cooked through with no pink areas. Internal temperature should reach 165°F if using a thermometer.
- Remove bay leaves carefully. Use a spoon to fish out both bay leaves – they’ve done their job flavoring the soup but can be unpleasant to bite into accidentally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. This is the most important step for professional results. Taste the broth and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. The soup should taste balanced, not bland or overly salty.
- Add fresh herbs last. Stir in chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Fresh herbs added too early lose their bright color and fresh flavor.
Chef’s Notes
Temperature Control: Keep your soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil once vegetables are added. This prevents vegetables from becoming mushy and keeps chicken tender.
Pasta Timing: Add alphabet pasta during the last 8 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming too soft. Overcooked pasta will make your ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) less appealing and mushy.
Chicken Choice: Dark meat chicken thighs create a richer flavor and stay more tender than breast meat during longer cooking times in ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup).
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare soup without pasta, then cook pasta separately and add just before serving to prevent it from absorbing too much liquid.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
Creative ABC Soup (Chicken & Veggie Soup) Variations
Mediterranean ABC Soup: Replace thyme with oregano and add diced tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice. This variation pairs beautifully with our Mediterranean lemon chicken soup for a complete Mediterranean meal experience.
Spicy Southwest Version: Add diced jalapeños, cumin, and a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles for a kick of heat.
Creamy Comfort Style: Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream during the last 5 minutes of cooking for an extra-rich texture.
Anti-Inflammatory Boost: Add fresh ginger, turmeric, and extra garlic for healing properties, similar to our anti-inflammatory chicken soup recipe.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The pasta will absorb some liquid, so add extra broth when reheating.
Freezer Storage: Freeze soup without pasta for up to 3 months. Cook fresh pasta when ready to serve for best texture.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add extra broth or water if soup becomes too thick.
Troubleshooting Guide
Problem: Pasta is mushy – Next time, add pasta during the last 8 minutes only. For current batch, cook new pasta separately and add to individual bowls.
Problem: Vegetables are too soft – Reduce cooking time for vegetables by 2-3 minutes. Cut vegetables slightly larger next time.
Problem: Soup is too salty – Add a diced potato and simmer for 10 minutes to absorb excess salt, then remove potato pieces.
Problem: Broth lacks flavor – Add more herbs, a splash of soy sauce, or a parmesan rind during simmering for depth.
Problem: Soup is too thin – Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with cold water and stir into simmering soup to thicken.
Equipment Essentials
- Large soup pot (6-8 quart capacity)
- Sharp chef’s knife for vegetable prep
- Cutting board (preferably separate for vegetables and chicken)
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Ladle for serving
- Measuring cups and spoons
Shopping List
Meat Department
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
Produce Section
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 medium onion
- 2 small potatoes
- 1 cup fresh corn (or frozen)
- 1 cup green beans
- Fresh parsley bunch
Pantry/Dry Goods
- Alphabet pasta
- Chicken broth (48 oz container)
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, dried thyme, bay leaves
Success Secrets
- Brown your chicken first – This step adds incredible depth to your ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) recipe and prevents bland broth.
- Cut vegetables uniformly – Same-sized pieces cook evenly and create a professional appearance in your finished soup.
- Layer your seasonings – Add herbs early for deep flavor, then adjust with fresh herbs at the end for brightness.
- Don’t overcook the pasta – Add alphabet pasta only during the final 8 minutes to maintain perfect texture in your ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup).
- Taste as you go – Adjust seasonings throughout cooking rather than trying to fix bland soup at the end.
This comforting ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home with simple techniques and wholesome ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend meals, this ABC soup (chicken & veggie soup) is guaranteed to become a family favorite that you’ll make again and again.
