If you’re a fan of roasted veggies, you’ll love this Roasted Chicken and Veggie Soup. This soup recipe is easy to love, being thick and hearty yet also gluten free and dairy free. The sweetness of the roasted carrots and sweet potatoes shines through making it a win for kids and adults alike.
Fall at our house looks like this… playing around the house in the mornings, maybe a little cleaning or grocery shopping, then we hop on bikes and head to the park to play a bit before Everett goes to pre-school; sometimes we even bring a picnic for lunch. After we drop Everett off, it’s nap time for Ruthie and a little quite time for me.
Not until this fall did I notice that I haven’t had a moment to breath deeply in about a year or so. Everett stopped napping when Ruthie was born and he is just a ‘on’ all day kind of guy, which means I am ‘on’ all day. I’ve found these moments when Ruthie is sleeping and Everett is at school to be a little God-send. I really didn’t even realize how much I needed this space but now I’m finding out how much more refreshed and renewed I am by it.
I’ve tried not to fill this hour and a half to two hours with all work, though, if you know anything about food blogging, I could easily do so, as the job seems to never be completely done. I try to work some but also save some time to read, or do something that will be good for my soul – take a bath, meditate on scripture or pray, or sip some tea. And the time flys by!
Soon I’m picking up Everett from school, hitting the after school snacks hard, and starting dinner… something like this soup.
About the Recipe
• There’s no cream, flour, or cornstarch as a thickener in this recipe. The roasted veggies are pureed and create a natural thickener and they boost the flavor of the broth as well!
• I like to use rotisserie chicken which also adds a roasted flavor to the soup but you can use whatever you have. If you have raw chicken breasts or thighs, cook them for 15 minutes in the broth as it simmers, then shred it.
• While this soup is already PALEO, GLUTEN FREE and DAIRY FREE it can also easily be VEGAN and VEGETARIAN by omitting the chicken. You may add chickpeas as a replacement.
• There’s only 1/2 of a large onion in the recipe. It should be quartered and roasted in with the veggies then all of the onion should be pureed. Only half of the rest of the veggies are pureed.
• I’ve used veggie broth, chicken broth, and bone broth for this recipe and all work well. Homemade and/or store bought.
This new rhythm for me has been so good and nourishing. The time to myself, time for work, time with each of my kids, and even enough time to make a hearty dinner. The patterns that fall brings are good for us, I think. Along with that, the seasons bring new foods to incorporate into our schedules…. Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, apples and squash to name a few. Here are some great nourishing Fall recipes to fit into your fall routine.
Shredded Brussels Sprout Apple Salad by Mountain Mama Cooks
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes by JoyFoodSunshine
Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Pecans {with a gluten-free option} by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Sweet Potato, Kale & Lentil Meal Prep Salads by She Likes Food
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Savory Mushroom Gravy by Letty’s Kitchen
Roasted Delicata Squash with Pomegranate and Goat Cheese by Floating Kitchen
Roasted Vegetable Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 2 carrots, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 yellow onion, quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cups shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken works well
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon each dried herb: rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Toss the veggies (carrots, sweet potato, and squash) in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper (about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper). Roast on the prepared baking sheet for 15 minutes. Add in the quartered onion and garlic and continue to roast for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, shred the chicken. (or you can cook raw chicken breasts in the chicken broth if you are not using rotisserie chicken).
- In a large stockpot, bring broth to a simmer. Add the shredded chicken, herbs and remaining salt and pepper.
- Once veggies are done roasting, add half to the soup and place the other half in a blender with the 1 cup of water. Make sure to place all onion and garlic in the bender. Puree half of the veggies. Add this puree to the soup and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add spinach for the last 2 minutes. Adjust seasonings to your taste.
Glad you’re finding some time to carve out for yourself. It’s so important, but something we all seems to neglect. I bet the roasted veggies add great flavor to this cozy soup!
I TOTALLY neglect this part of my life. I’m beginning to see the impact of not taking care of myself. Soup helps though 🙂
I remember those days Becky! It is a struggle, but you will get there. One day they’ll both be getting on the bus and you will have so much more time to get to everything. Meanwhile, this soup looks fantastic! Love all those veggies!
It’s such a hard line to be living on … I want to enjoy every moment with my little ones but I also need some space from time to time AND then there’s work… which I mostly feel like I’m failing at these days. Thanks for the encouragement Katie!!
Yes! I’m a big fan of roasted veggies. I want to try a meatless version!
I think this one would be great with chickpeas instead of chicken too.
I totally hear you on feeling like blogging is a never ending job! I”m trying to be better at taking some time to myself, but it’s so hard sometimes! This soup looks so cozy and delicious, perfect for fall!
We must force ourself to take time to recharge!! I know I’m a better mom when I do!! Wish you lived closer so we could grab a coffee and get in some quality time in person 🙂 Take care, Becky
I’m so glad you’ve figured out a way to take some time for yourself. Self care is so important and so hard to do with little ones. I’m loving all the roasted veggies in the soup- what a gorgeous color!
love this with rotisserie chicken, of course also the sweet potato, spinach and other stuff, but especially the rustic textures! A lot of chicken soup recipes are so broken down that it’s essentially broth, which is great in and of itself but not when you want something of substance in the texture, so thank you for this recipe!