Chicken Meatball Soup

This cozy chicken meatball soup is made with spoon-dropped meatballs, hearty veggies, and pasta that come together in a warm, savory broth. It’s the kind of easy, from-scratch recipe that tastes like it simmered all day

Flavor: A light, savory broth with hints of garlic and herbs, juicy chicken meatballs, hearty veggies, and cozy pasta.
Time Saving Tip: Put the ground chicken mixture into a zippered bag and cut the corner off to pipe meatballs directly into the soup.
Serving Suggestions: I love serving this with some dinner rolls, a handful of crackers, or a simple fresh salad.

broth , oil , bread crumbs , onion , poultry seasoning , garlic powder , oregano , onion powder , egg , chicken , carrots , celery , pasta , egg, salt, and pepper with labels to make Chicken Meatball Soup

Easy Ingredients and Variations

Ground Chicken: Any ground chicken will work, or swap for ground turkey or pork. To keep the meatballs tender, gently mix and simmer (not a hard boil) once the meatballs are in.
Bread Crumbs: Seasoned bread crumbs add flavor and help keep the meatballs soft. If using plain breadcrumbs, add a pinch of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
Seasoning: Swap the poultry seasoning for thyme and sage if you like.
Pasta: Small pasta shapes, like shells, elbows, or mini bow ties, cook quickly in the broth. If planning leftovers, prepare the pasta separately to keep it from getting soggy.
Variations: Stir in some spinach or kale at the end until just wilted, finish with a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavors, and top each bowl with a sprinkle of Parmesan for a savory touch.

adding seasonings to chicken to make Chicken Meatball Soup

adding seasonings to onion , cerery and carrots to make Chicken Meatball Soup

adding chicken meatballs to soup to make Chicken Meatball Soup

Your Simple Soup Game Plan

Combine the ground chicken mixture and set aside (full recipe below).
In a pot, sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and poultry seasoning.
Add water and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil.
Drop in meatballs and simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

For Tender Meatballs: Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are combined.
For Even Meatballs: Use a small cookie scoop or two spoons.
Mixture Too Sticky? Chill 10 minutes or wet your spoon to keep it from sticking.
For Perfect Pasta: Cook pasta separately and add to individual bowls.

top view of Chicken Meatball Soup in a pot

Leftovers That Stay Cozy

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is best to store the pasta separately. It will keep in the freezer (without the pasta) for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick, and add fresh pasta.

Cozy Soup Night Lineup

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 17 minutes

In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the poultry seasoning and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the chicken broth and water to the pot, and bring to a rolling boil.
Use a small spoon* to scoop ½-inch bits of the chicken mixture directly into the boiling broth. The meatballs do not have to be rolled or round.
Once all the meatballs are added, add the pasta*. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed.

Planned Leftovers: If you plan to store leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls when serving. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Shortcut Meatballs: Combine the meatball mixture as directed and transfer to a freezer bag or piping bag, snip off the corner, and squeeze them directly into the broth.
Frozen Meatballs: The homemade meatballs can be replaced with 16 ounces of small frozen meatballs. Simmer for 5 minutes before adding the pasta.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

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