Collard Greens Chicken and Vegetable Soup (Printable)

A warming bowl featuring tender chicken, potatoes, and vitamin-rich collard greens in a savory broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 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

# How to Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken gets incredibly tender while the potatoes absorb all those savory flavors, creating perfect little flavor bombs in each bite.
  • This soup somehow manages to be both light and satisfying, making it perfect for those evenings when you want something nourishing but not heavy.
02 -
  • Always remove the tough center stems from collard greens before chopping, otherwise youll end up with stringy bits that never quite soften even with extended cooking.
  • Letting the soup rest for 5-10 minutes off the heat before serving allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, something I discovered by accident when I got distracted by a phone call once.
03 -
  • If you have time, make this soup a day ahead, as the flavors develop and deepen overnight in the refrigerator, making it taste even better on day two.
  • Save the collard green stems to finely dice and add to the soup along with the onions and carrots, adding nutrition and reducing food waste.
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