Collard Greens Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable Version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces), 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 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 10–15 minutes, until the greens are tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The broth develops this incredible depth from cooking the chicken right in the pot
  • Collard greens hold up beautifully without turning mushy like spinach sometimes does
  • It makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunch tomorrow, and actually tastes better on day two
02 -
  • The greens will look like too much at first but they wilt down dramatically
  • Simmering uncovered prevents the soup from becoming too thick and stew like
  • Letting the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving lets the flavors really marry
03 -
  • Cut your collard greens into ribbons rather than chunks for easier eating
  • Use a wider pot if you have one, more surface area means better evaporation and concentration
Return