Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Hearty soup with tender chicken, potatoes, and nutrient-dense 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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The broth becomes impossibly rich from simmering with the chicken, yet it's still light enough to not weigh you down
  • Collard greens hold their texture beautifully unlike spinach that disappears into nothingness
  • This is one of those rare soups that actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • Don't skip removing collard green stems, they remain tough no matter how long you cook them
  • The soup will seem too salty before adding the potatoes, but they absorb quite a bit of seasoning
  • Let it rest 10 minutes off the heat before serving to let flavors really marry
03 -
  • Cook the soup uncovered so it reduces slightly and concentrates flavor
  • Don't rush the vegetable sauté—properly caramelized onions make all the difference
  • If you have time, make it a day ahead and reheat gently
Go Back