Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printer-friendly)

Hearty soup with tender chicken, potatoes, and collard greens in a savory broth. Simple, nourishing, and ready in one hour.

# Ingredient List:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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 Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts or thighs to the pot, followed by 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 chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken from pot and shred with two forks.
06 - Return shredded chicken to soup. Add chopped collard greens and simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until greens are tender.
07 - Discard bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The collard greens hold up beautifully in broth unlike spinach which turns to mush
  • Everything cooks in one pot so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • It freezes exceptionally well for those nights when cooking feels impossible
02 -
  • Collard greens need that extra simmering time to become tender, rushing them leaves them tough and bitter
  • The potatoes will continue softening as the soup sits, so slightly undercook them if making ahead
  • Adding the greens at the end keeps their color vibrant instead of that sad army green color
03 -
  • Cutting the collard greens into ribbons instead of chunks makes them easier to eat
  • Taste your broth before adding salt since different brands vary wildly in sodium
  • A parmesan rind simmered in the broth adds incredible umami depth
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