Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printer-friendly)

Hearty soup with shredded chicken, potatoes, and vitamin-rich collard greens simmered in aromatic broth.

# What You Need:

→ 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

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot, followed by the potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove the chicken from the pot and shred with two forks.
06 - Return the shredded chicken to the soup. Add the chopped collard greens and simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the greens are tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The collard greens maintain a slight bite that pairs beautifully with the tender chicken, creating a textural experience most soups miss entirely.
  • You can prepare this on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week as the flavors actually improve after a day or two in the refrigerator.
02 -
  • Removing the tough center stems from collard greens is non-negotiable, I learned this the hard way when I left them in once and ended up with chewy, stringy bits that ruined the eating experience.
  • Adding the collards at the end rather than with the initial vegetables keeps their color vibrant and prevents that overcooked sulfur smell that can overtake your kitchen.
03 -
  • For an incredible flavor boost, roast the chicken bones (if using bone-in thighs) in the oven first, then add them to the simmering soup and remove before serving.
  • The soup tastes even better if you let it cool completely, then reheat it gently the next day, allowing the flavors to fully develop and marry overnight.
Go Back