Freezer-Friendly Chicken Vegetable Soup for Meal Prep.
Freezer-friendly chicken vegetable soup is a fantastic option for meal prep. It's easy to make in large batches, full of healthy vegetables, and packed with protein from the chicken.
Ingredients:– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs (cubed or shredded)– 1 medium onion, diced– 2 cloves garlic, minced– 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced– 2 celery stalks, diced– 1 cup green beans, chopped (fresh or frozen)– 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)– 1 zucchini, diced
– 1 1/2 cups diced potatoes (peeled or unpeeled)– 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice– 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)– 1 tsp dried thyme– 1 tsp dried oregano– 1/2 tsp ground black pepper– 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)– 1 bay leaf– 1 tbsp olive oil
– Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chicken breast or thighs and cook until browned on all sides.– Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. You can either shred the chicken using two forks or cut it into bite-sized cubes once it cools slightly.
In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly and the onion becomes translucent.
Add the green beans, corn, zucchini, potatoes, diced tomatoes, and the chicken broth to the pot. Stir in the dried thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and bay leaf.
Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir well. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and the flavors meld together.
Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it into freezer-safe containers. This step helps prevent ice crystals from forming and ensures the soup maintains its texture when reheated.
Freezer-friendly chicken vegetable soup is the perfect meal prep option. It's easy to make, nutritious, and perfect for reheating on busy days.