Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Hearty soup with shredded chicken, potatoes, and collard greens in a savory broth.

# Components:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large bunch collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
03 - 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 medium onion, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Broth & Seasonings

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon salt
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Finishing

15 - Juice of ½ lemon
16 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Place chicken breasts, diced potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and potatoes are fork-tender.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred meat into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Add chopped collard greens to the simmering soup. Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes until greens are tender but retain their vibrant color.
07 - Stir in fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked paprika adds this incredible depth that makes people ask whats in it
  • Its one of those rare soups that actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • Dont skip the lemon juice because it balances the earthy greens perfectly
  • The soup will thicken up overnight as the potatoes release more starch
03 -
  • Throw in a Parmesan rind while simmering and remove it before serving for extra umami
  • For vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and add white beans instead of chicken
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