Chicken White Bean Soup

This Italian-inspired chicken white bean soup is super light, full of flavor and will give you a proper protein boost! Featuring tender chicken and white beans in a bright garlic and lemon broth, this is healthy comfort food at its best!

Chicken white bean soup is all about getting those cozy vibes with a handful of simple ingredients. Think tender chicken, creamy beans, and fresh veggies, all simmered together in a herby, lemony broth.

This is just the perfect soup to try when you want something heartier than a simple chicken soup.

With extra protein and fiber from the beans, this soup delivers comfort in a bowl and extra flavor with each spoon.

Why you’ll love this chicken white bean soup

• It's super easy — Seriously, it’s just chopping, sautéing, and simmering. Perfect for when you want something hearty without the hassle.
• Big on flavor — Those herbs, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice? They pack quite a punch.
• Leftovers for days: This soup’s even better the next day and freezes like a dream, making your meal prep a breeze.

What goes into white bean chicken soup

Olive oil — This adds a nice flavor for sauteeing the veggies. Canola or vegetable oil are further options.

Onion, carrot and celery — These are the classic soup starters, and they bring a whole lot of flavor and some nice color, too. You can dice 'em up roughly or smaller if you want them to cook quicker.

Garlic — There’s no such thing as too much garlic in a soup, in my opinion, but feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking. Freshly minced garlic is always best!

Chicken breast — I like to make this chicken and white bean soup with chicken breast because it’s lean and cooks quickly. If you prefer, swap it out for thighs for a richer taste.

Italian seasoning — This mix is super convenient, and I always have a jar in the kitchen. You can also substitute with a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.

Paprika — This gives a subtle warmth and depth. If you like a little smokiness, go for smoked paprika.

Cannellini beans — I like to use cannellini beans in this soup because they have a creamy texture, but you can also use any other white bean, like Great Northern beans, for example.

Chicken stock — This is the soup's foundation. Homemade is fantastic if you have it, but store-bought works fine. Just try to get low-sodium so you can control the salt level yourself.

Lemon juice — Add a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten the soup. Freshly squeezed is always best!

Black kale (cavolo nero) — This adds a lovely color and texture to the soup. Regular kale, spinach, or Swiss chard are all good alternatives.

How to make chicken white bean soup

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes or until they’re no longer pink.

Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and paprika and stir to combine.

Next, add the cannellini beans, pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in the lemon juice and the shredded kale, then simmer for another 2-3 minutes until wilted.

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve hot with your favorite crusty bread.

Leftovers and storage

• Cool the soup to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, microwave in a suitable container, stirring every minute until thoroughly heated.
• To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely. Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Recipe notes and tips

• Serve the soup with crusty bread or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan. It’s perfect for sopping up all that flavorful broth.
• Once everything's in the pot, allow the soup to simmer gently. Boiling too vigorously can make the chicken tough and the veggies mushy.
• This white bean chicken kale soup can also be made with leftover rotisserie chicken or even leftovers from your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey.

If you liked this chicken white bean soup recipe, you might also like some of my other easy chicken soup recipes:

• Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup
• Chicken Macaroni Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Chicken Barley Soup

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