There are a lot of things my husband and I have in common. But one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that we both like soup.

Which brings me to one of my all-time favorite movies, Best in Show.

If you’ve seen it, you probably remember the wonderfully mismatched couple being interviewed about what they have in common. The poor woman struggles to come up with something, and finally offers, “We both like soup.”

My husband and I laugh and laugh at that scene. Every. Single. Time.

And because my husband absolutely loves soup, that line has become something of a running joke around our house. Apparently, having soup in common is a perfectly respectable foundation for a marriage!

Anyway, today was a soup-making kind of day.

I had a rotisserie chicken, a few vegetables, and all the usual pantry staples, so I decided to make a big pot of chicken soup.

Now, I know we all have our own versions of chicken soup. Some of us make it the way our mothers did. Some throw in noodles, others prefer rice, and some of us just toss whatever is in the refrigerator into a pot and hope for the best. (I’ve been known to do that, too.)

But if you’re looking for a simple, flavorful chicken soup that doesn’t take all afternoon, I thought I’d share the one I made today.

It’s nothing fancy. Just good, old-fashioned comfort food. The tomato paste gives the broth a little extra richness, and the seasonings make it taste like you’ve spent much longer in the kitchen than you actually have.

And really, isn’t that the best kind of recipe?

Cozy Cottage Chicken Soup

Simple, savory, and just right for a chilly afternoon.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup rotisserie chicken, chopped or shredded
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon chicken base (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8 cups chicken stock

Directions

1. Get those vegetables going. Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
2. Add the good stuff. Stir in the rotisserie chicken, tomato paste, Better Than Bouillon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir so the seasonings coat the chicken and vegetables.
3. Pour in the broth. Add the chicken stock and stir to combine.
4. Let it bubble away. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and all those lovely flavors have come together.
5. Taste and serve. Adjust the seasonings if needed, ladle into bowls, and enjoy!

A Few Notes From My Kitchen

Don’t have Better Than Bouillon? No problem! You can substitute a teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules or use a portion of a bouillon cube according to the package directions. You can also leave it out entirely. The chicken stock already provides plenty of flavor. Just taste your soup at the end and adjust the salt as needed, since bouillon products can be quite salty.

Want a heartier soup? Add some cooked egg noodles or rice toward the end. I like keeping this version simple, but either would be delicious.

No rotisserie chicken? Cook a chicken breast, chop or shred it, and add it to the pot. Easy!

And of course, a nice chunk of crusty bread never hurts.

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There you have it. Nothing complicated, nothing that requires a trip to three different grocery stores, and nothing that keeps you standing over the stove all afternoon.

Just a warm, comforting bowl of chicken soup.

I think one of the nicest things about cooking is that it doesn’t always have to be elaborate to be special. Sometimes it’s simply making something you know someone you love will enjoy.

And in our house, that usually means soup.

So, if you’re wondering what to make for dinner tonight, give this one a try. Then grab a good book, curl up somewhere comfortable, and let the dishes wait a little while.

After all, there are mysteries to solve.

Happy reading and happy cooking!

Lyssa

P.S. If you’ve never watched Best in Show, you really should. Especially if you’re a dog lover. And if you have seen it, please tell me you remember the soup scene!

P.P.S. What’s your favorite kind of soup? I’m always looking for another good recipe to add to my collection. And my husband certainly won’t complain!