Chicken Vegetable Quinoa Soup

This Chicken Vegetable Quinoa Soup is a gluten-free twist on the classic chicken noodle. Chock-full of immune-boosting veggies, tender chicken, and rich broth.

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a bowl of chicken vegetable quinoa soup.

There is something therapeutic about a bowl of Chicken Soup. Any soup for that matter. We also love this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup and this Detox Vegetable Soup is one of the most popular recipes on the Honour System! Check out all of our delicious and healthy Soup Recipes for inspiration.

IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make Chicken Vegetable Quinoa Soup

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • butter
  • yellow onion 
  • carrots
  • celery
  • garlic
  • dried thyme
  • chicken breasts
  • chicken broth
  • fresh parsley
  • dry quinoa
  • salt and pepper

Instructions for this recipe

The best thing about this recipe – besides being super yummy and comforting – is that it is quick and easy to make. 

I like the base flavor of the golden trio of onions, carrots, and celery.

I also add in the immune-boosting goodness of fresh minced garlic.

Start by heating the olive oil and butter in a large soup pot and toss in the chopped vegetables. Season them with salt and pepper and saute, stirring, until they have softened.

a pot with vegetables cooking.

Next, stir in the minced garlic and the dried thyme, and let that cook for another minute.

veggies sauteing in a pot.

Finally, add the chicken and broth and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and let the pot simmer for about 30 minutes.

a simmering pot.

After the simmer, remove the chicken and shred it using 2 forks.

Add the shredded chicken back into the pot along with the quinoa (be sure to rinse it off first) and the chopped parsley.

a mesh strainer with quinoa.

Simmer for 10 more minutes to cook the quinoa.

Done!

a spoonful of chicken vegetable soup.

FAQs, Tips, and Substitutions

  • What is quinoa? Quinoa is technically a seed but it is classified as a whole grain. It is super nutritious, an excellent source of fiber, naturally gluten-free, and is a complete protein, unlike brown rice which doesn’t contain all of the essential amino acids.
  • Quinoa prep tip! Be sure to thoroughly rinse your quinoa. It has a soapy-tasting bitter coating called saponin which can upset your stomach.
  • This soup reheats really well and is perfect for meal prep.
  • Use chopped spinach instead of parsley leaf.
  • Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of the breast meat.
  • Squeeze in a touch of fresh lemon juice in each bowl.
  • Garnish with a couple of tablespoons of parmesan cheese for a cheesy, salty boost of taste.
a bowl of chicken vegetable quinoa soup.

In addition to this chicken soup with quinoa, you must try this Busy Day Soup Recipe from One Sweet Harmony! We love it for easy comfort.

More gluten free soup recipes

a bowl of chicken vegetable quinoa soup.

**This recipe was originally posted on November 10, 2014, updated on July 7, 2019, and updated again on October 28, 2022, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**

If you’ve tried my Chicken Quinoa Soup, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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a bowl of chicken vegetable quinoa soup.

Comforting Chicken Vegetable Quinoa Soup – Gluten Free

Sharon Rhodes
This Chicken Vegetable Quinoa Soup is a gluten-free twist on the classic chicken noodle. Chock-full of immune-boosting veggies, tender chicken, and rich broth.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 370 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion *chopped
  • 2 medium carrots *sliced
  • 2 celery stalks *sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic *minced
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup fresh chopped parsley
  • ½ cup dry quinoa *rinsed
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Set a large soup pot over medium-low heat with olive oil and butter.
  • Once the butter has melted, add the onion, carrots, and celery, season with sea salt and pepper, and sauté until soft – about 10 minutes. Add in the garlic and dried thyme and stir for another minute.
  • Add in the broth and the chicken breasts and bring everything to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Remove chicken breasts from the liquid and shred. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
  • Pour in the dried quinoa and fresh parsley and cook for another 10 minutes.
  • Enjoy warm.

Video

Notes

  • Quinoa prep tip! Be sure to thoroughly rinse your quinoa. It has a soapy-tasting bitter coating called saponin which can upset your stomach.
  • This soup reheats really well and is perfect for meal prep.
  • Use chopped spinach instead of parsley leaf.
  • Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of the breast meat.
  • Squeeze in a touch of fresh lemon juice in each bowl.
  • Garnish with a couple of tablespoons of parmesan cheese for a cheesy, salty boost of taste
 

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 37gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 330mgPotassium: 1164mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 6480IUVitamin C: 25.6mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 3.6mg
Keyword chicken vegetable quinoa soup
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14 Comments

    1. I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t guarantee that. I’m sure it is possible though! Maybe google crockpot soup recipes?

  1. You cook the chicken breasts before you add them to the broth right?? This might be a stupid question but just checking! Can’t wait to make this tonight!

    1. Hey Gianna! You don’t need to cook the chicken first. They will cook when you simmer them in the broth. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

  2. Loved the quinoa! Used 2 boxes of chicken stock and 4 cups water! Cut up a whole chicken and took off skin and as much fat as possible! Added one whole green pepper cut and seeded. Followed this recipe along by my tweeks! Really good!

  3. Yes, yes, and yes, you are always writing about things that make me sit back and nod my head while reading. I too remember fondly days of being sick and watching TPIR, except my mom was none too good at getting me to school on time or in general, lol. This soup looks awesome, by the way! 🙂

  4. Yum! I love the idea to add quinoa instead of noodles.

    I miss the days of being sick as a kid/teen too! I would always watch Dawson Creek reruns on TBS haha.

    1. I’m actually slurping up the last bowl of this as I type. Still so good, especially on a shitty day like today. Pardon my French Canadian. 😉

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