- This hearty soup is warming and satisfying, and it can be on the table in under an hour.
- It’s brimming with antioxidants from the veggies, and you’ll also get a boost of protein from the chicken.
- Using shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover holiday turkey is both convenient and time-saving.
Our Garlic-Miso Chicken Soup is garlicky in the best way, with an umami boost from the mild white miso—this will feel like your favorite nostalgic chicken soup with a modern twist. Carrots, onions and garlic are packed with inflammation-fighting antioxidants, and the protein-rich chicken will keep you full for hours. Baby spinach melts into the hydrating broth, adding more nutrition and color—a feast for your eyes and your stomach. Keep reading for our expert tips on time-savers, greens substitutes and more.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Use both white and dark chicken meat to add extra richness to the soup without making it too heavy.
- To save time, consider using shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey from the holidays. You can also use prewashed bags of baby spinach, as well as frozen chopped carrots and onions, which require no thawing or trimming.
- If you prefer, you can substitute the spinach with chopped bok choy, kale or Swiss chard. Adding the greens at the end of the cooking process will help keep them vibrant.
- For additional flavor, include some grated ginger along with the garlic. You can also add mushrooms for extra umami, or drizzle a little sesame oil on top. Toasted sesame seeds are a great finishing touch, too.
Nutrition Notes
- Garlic is an allium that is packed with cancer-fighting nutrients. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is activated when the garlic is crushed or cut, and helps reduce inflammation.
- White miso is a fermented soybean paste and may contain probiotics, which are live bacteria that can help improve the health of your gut. Adding different types of fermented foods to your diet can improve the health of your microbiome.
- Chicken is a protein-rich lean meat that is packed with nutrients like vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It is a complete protein, with all nine essential amino acids needed for health. Dark meat contains slightly more fat and iron than white meat.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
