There’s something timeless and comforting about a bowl of chicken and tomato soup. It’s one of those meals that brings you back to the basics, warm, nourishing, and easy to love. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or something soothing to fight off a cold, this recipe hits the spot.
This soup starts with a base of sautéed onions and garlic, which lay the foundation for a rich and aromatic broth. Fresh or canned tomatoes add natural sweetness and acidity, while chicken broth brings depth and a savory backbone. The real star, of course, is the chicken. You can use leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook fresh chicken breasts or thighs right in the soup.
To enhance the flavor, herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano work beautifully. A bay leaf simmered in the pot brings out a classic homemade feel. For a bit of warmth, consider adding a touch of smoked paprika or a small pinch of chili flakes, it brings balance without overpowering the dish.
The soup can be left brothy or blended slightly for a smoother texture. Some people like to blend just the tomato base before adding the chicken, while others keep it chunky and rustic. A splash of cream or a drizzle of olive oil at the end can elevate it even further.
Serve this soup with a grilled cheese sandwich or a slice of warm bread for dipping. It also pairs well with a fresh salad if you want a lighter meal.
What makes chicken and tomato soup so beloved is its versatility. It’s hearty without being heavy, flavorful without being fussy. It freezes well, reheats like a dream, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just making something for yourself, this soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Simple, satisfying, and always welcome at the table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken shredded, cooked
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, dried basil, and dried oregano to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the soup to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add the shredded chicken to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve the soup hot and garnish with fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Cooked the onion and garlic like it said and omg the smell. My kitchen smelled like an actual restaurant.
Honestly, I thought this would be a flop. But wow, it turned out great! Even my picky eater liked it. Surprised!
Wow, worst soup i ever made. I think i forgot the garlic? idk, but it was not good 😅
Yum! 😍
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it! 🥳
This was a bit bland. I think more spices should be added.
I followed the recipe exactly, but it turned out really bland. Maybe more spices next time?
Made this tonight—super comforting. The basil/oregano combo is spot on, and the soup tastes like it simmered way longer than 30 minutes.
Not sure why, but my soup looked kinda watery. Maybe I used too much broth? Still tasted good though.
This soup is amazing! So easy and full of flavor. My whole family loved it!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s super easy and perfect for a busy weeknight. Did you add anything special to yours?
Sounds good, but chicken in soup? That just sounds strange. Can a soup even be a meal?
Made this last night and it was super cozy. The basil/oregano combo is perfect, and the chicken shredded in at the end keeps it tender. Would definitely make again!
Too salty. I think my canned tomatoes were saltier than yours, so watch that. Otherwise fine soup.
Yum! Perfect for a cold day. My family loved it, specially the kids! 😀 5 stars!
Looks good, but I don’t think my kids would eat it. They only like pizza.
Glad to hear your family loved it! Perfect for lunch too, right? 🙂
Super easy to make! I let my kids help chop the veggies. They loved it! Perfect for a quick dinner.
Tasted good but felt like it was missing something. Maybe a splash of lemon juice? I don’t know, just didn’t blow me away.
This was super comforting—tastes like it came from a cozy deli. I used low-sodium broth and added a pinch of chili flakes and it really popped.
Yes!! That cozy deli vibe is exactly what I’m after. I love the chili flakes idea—adding a little heat really wakes it up.
Not bad, but I feel like it needs more body—maybe some carrots/celery? The tomato flavor is good.
So easy to make! Even my kids loved it! I replaced chicken with tofu as I’m vegetarian. Still yum!
Simply delicious! I added some red pepper flakes for a kick. Will make it again!
Honestly, it was kinda bland. I thought it would be more flavorful with all those herbs but eh…
Too much tomato for my taste. Shoulda used fresh but couldn’t find any. Next time I’ll change it up.
Chicken soup is chicken soup, I don’t see the big deal. Mine was just okay. Nothing special.
Honestly, I just chuck it all in a pot and it still tastes better than takeout. Chicken soup’s got its charm!
I think it’s all about how you season it! A little more salt or some herbs could make a huge difference. Don’t give up on it yet!
Made this tonight and it’s genuinely comforting. The basil/oregano combo is perfect, and the chicken keeps it hearty without feeling heavy. I added a pinch of chili flakes—highly recommend.
It’s soup! So what, im not a fan of soup. But it looked good, I guess.
It’s okay, but mine turned out a bit bland. Next time I’ll salt earlier and maybe add some carrots/celery for sweetness and depth. The smell while simmering is great though.
This soup is amazing! So hearty and flavorful. I added some red pepper flakes for extra kick. Will definitely make this again!
This is the kind of recipe that feels like it should take 2 hours, but it’s actually fast. 20 + 10 minutes is perfect. I served it with toast and it was a hit.
Totally agree—40 minutes sounds too easy for soup this flavorful. I made it last week and it tasted like it simmered way longer. Toast is such a good pairing!
This soup is a lifesaver! So easy to make and delicious. Definitely a 5-star!
Chicken soup is the best recipe ever! Easy too!!
Ok but can we talk about the “salt and pepper to taste” part… I always oversalt. I tried again and it was better. Maybe add salt gradually.
I might be doing something wrong but mine was a bit bland. I think I under-salted. Still edible though.
So good! Perfect comfort food for a rainy day. Highly recommend!
Yuck! I didn’t like the combo of chicken and tomatoes. Should’ve just stuck with tomato soup! 🙁
One word: meh.
I followed it mostly, but I forgot the dried basil (oops). Surprisingly it was still tasty, just not as fragrant. Would rate higher if I actually did the full recipe.
lol oops 😅 i do stuff like that all the time. but if it was still good without basil, maybe you can use fresh basil instead next time? or more oregano?
Honestly that makes sense—basil is mostly the aroma. Still glad it turned out tasty though! Next time just add it in and you’ll get that full “soup shop” smell.
This is the kind of recipe I can repeat forever. Simple pantry stuff, and the garlic/onion base makes it taste restaurant-y.
This was a hit! I added some shredded carrots for extra flavor and it turned out delicious. Will make again!
My kids ate it and asked for seconds, so I’m calling that a win. I added fresh basil at the end and it smelled amazing.
not sure about this one… I think I’m supposed to cook the chicken longer? 🤷♂️
My family loved it. Even my picky eater went back for seconds. I topped it with Parmesan and it made it feel fancy.
Aww love this! Parmesan is such a good move—totally makes it feel restaurant-y. Glad your picky eater went back for seconds 😄
Hmm sounds good, but I’m confused—do you add the chicken at the beginning or only at the end? I usually simmer longer than 20 + 10 so the chicken doesn’t get weird.
Not gonna lie I’m skeptical about only 1 can tomatoes + 4 cups broth. It felt thin. Also I think I simmered too long, cause the chicken got kinda mealy? Could be my fault.
Totally get the skepticism—1 can of tomatoes can feel like “not enough,” but the basil/oregano + longer simmer usually helps. If yours turned thin, maybe your broth volume was effectively higher (like using low-reduced broth) or the pot wasn’t reducing enough. Also, mealy chicken usually points to simmering too long after adding it—10 minutes should be plenty.
Honestly I think you’re right: 4 cups broth is a lot. Next time I’d do 2 cans tomatoes or reduce the broth before adding the chicken. Also don’t simmer after chicken—just warm it through, or it gets stringy/mealy. Soup should be thicker, not watery.
I dunno, it was just chicken and tomato… so boring. 2 stars.
Boring? I think the seasoning makes it! Did you add more spices or garnish? That can change everything. 🤔
I actually loved this recipe! It’s super comforting and perfect for a cold day. Sometimes simple is best! 5 stars for me!
I don’t get the hype. Tomato soup + chicken is fine, but this feels like it’s missing something. Maybe carrots or a squeeze of lemon? The recipe is too basic for me.
The recipe is simple, but I’m skeptical about using dried basil and oregano only—like, it can taste a bit flat. I added a squeeze of lemon and it helped a lot.
I followed it pretty closely but mine turned out kinda bland. I think I under-salted—next time I’ll season more and maybe add a pinch of chili flakes.
I don’t know how to cook, but I tried this anyway. It wasn’t bad, but I forgot the basil. Oops! Need more practice, I guess.
Easy and quick! I skipped the herbs cause I didn’t have them, still good tho. 4 stars!
I didn’t have dried oregano so I used Italian seasoning. Turned out fine—maybe a little different but still good.
Pretty good and easy. I used rotisserie chicken to save time (works great). I did add a little more salt at the end because mine was kinda bland before seasoning.
Quick, easy, and tasty!! I didn’t have fresh basil, so I used paste. Still turned out great!!
Made this last night—so cozy. The basil + oregano combo tastes way more flavorful than I expected.
I thought chicken and soup dont go togethe? But this one was really great! lol
I’m glad you liked it! Chicken in soup is actually super common in lots of cultures. This has a nice blend of flavors. Yum!
I dunno, I still think chicken soup should just be chicken broth with like noodles and stuff. But hey, glad it worked for you. Lol.
Confession: I used dried oregano AND extra Italian seasoning… it was okay, but kind of overpowered the basil.
The instructions are clear and the soup came out perfect thickness for me. Used rotisserie chicken too—no regrets.
A good recipe but I messed it up. I forgot the chicken! 😅 Still tasted good tho.
I tried this recipe but it turn out horrible. Way too much garlic for my taste.
Pretty easy and flavorful. I used a rotisserie chicken so it was fast. Next time I might add a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick.
Love how simple this is. Rotisserie chicken is a cheat code 😄 A pinch of chili flakes could totally make it pop—might try that next time too!
Good, but I added noodles lol. Makes it more filling! 3 stars.
Chicken and tomato… sounds okay, but 20 minutes to “meld together” feels short. I simmered mine closer to an hour and it improved a lot.
Not gonna lie, 20 minutes for flavors to meld feels short. I simmered mine longer and it came out way richer. Still tasty though.
Hmm I tried it exactly 20 min and mine was kinda bland—like the basil and oregano didn’t do much. Maybe I need to simmer longer like you said, or add more seasoning.
Yeah, I get that. 20 minutes is more of a “quick meld” than a deep flavor situation. I usually let it go 30–40 and it really does taste richer too.
idk… 20+10 minutes and still no flavor? I’m confused. Might be the spices but it felt watery to me.
1/5 do not. way too soupy. also i used beef broth by mistake and now it tastes like regret. 😅
I followed it pretty much exactly. Next time I’ll add a pinch of chili flakes because I like a little kick, but otherwise great.
This soup is a game changer! So creamy and delicious. My family loved it! 5 stars!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s one of my favorites too. I just love how easy it is to make.
Really? I tried it and found it way too salty. Maybe I did something wrong?
YUM!! We added some cayenne for some spice. Perfect for cold nights!
Why does everyone rave about this? It’s just soup. I thought it was okay but not that great.
I totally get where you’re coming from! It’s just soup, but I think it’s all about the flavors. Maybe it just didn’t hit the spot for you.
Meh, tasted like something from a can. I expected more fresh flavor. Not worth my time again.
I used canned chicken instead of shredded cooked chicken and it still worked, lol. Also I don’t have Parmesan so I used shredded cheddar—don’t judge!
5 stars easy. Chicken soup is basically science and you nailed it lol.
Yummy, but my husband said he would prefer it with beef instead of chicken. Who even eats chicken soup? 😂
Pretty good, but I think 20 min simmer might be short if you like deeper tomato flavor. I added an extra pinch of chili flakes and it helped a lot. Still solid though.
I followed it mostly but my soup tasted flat. Maybe my oregano was old? Also I let it simmer less than 20 minutes so maybe that’s why. Still ate it though.
I tried it, but I think it needed more flavor. Maybe add some chili flakes? 3/5.
Easy and tastes way better than I expected. I used rotisserie chicken and it still worked great. Next time I might add a bit more garlic, but overall solid.
Pretty good and easy. I didn’t have dried basil so I used Italian seasoning instead. Still turned out flavorful, though I’d probably add the chicken a little closer to serving so it stays tender.
Hmm… easy, sure, but mine came out a little bland when I used Italian seasoning (maybe I didn’t salt enough). Next time I’ll add the chicken closer to the end like you said. Also, 20 minutes feels long for just tomatoes.
Love how simple this is! I’ve made it with Italian seasoning too—totally agree it still tastes great. Good tip about adding the chicken later so it doesn’t get too soft.
Not bad, but mine came out a little bland even after salting. I think the oregano amount needs a touch more or maybe fresh herbs would help. Still a nice weeknight soup.
I’m skeptical of soups that rely on only tomatoes + spices. Ended up liking it though. The simmer really does something. Texture was great—no watery broth.
Huh, I dunno. I’ve made tomato soups and they always end up too acidic for me unless I add sugar or a splash of cream. But maybe the chicken broth helps? How long you said again, 20 min then 10?
I was skeptical too—tomatoes + spices sounded kinda plain—but simmering 20 mins makes it taste way richer. Glad the broth wasn’t watery; that’s always a win.
Pretty solid and easy. I used a little extra garlic (because why not) and it tasted even better the next day. Would recommend.
Hmm I tried it but mine was a bit bland until I salted more at the end. Still good though. Does anyone add parmesan to thicken it?
Totally agree—this is one of those “set it and forget it” soups. Extra garlic sounds perfect. Glad it tasted even better the next day!
Not sure about this. 1 can diced tomatoes felt like not enough for that much broth, so it was more chicken soup than tomato soup. Would probably double the tomatoes next time.
I agree—1 can diced tomatoes can get swallowed by 4 cups broth. Doubling the tomatoes (or using a bigger can) sounds like it’d make it more tomato-forward.
I followed it exactly but it came out a bit bland for my taste. More salt helped, but I also felt like it needed something fresh at the end.
Not bad, but mine turned out a little bland. I probably under-salted. Next time I’ll taste as I go instead of waiting till the end. Also, I used dried basil but forgot the oregano once—oops.
Yeah, that happens! I always start with a little salt, then adjust right before serving. Even adding a pinch earlier makes a big difference—glad you’ll taste as you go next time.
5 stars all the way! Best recipe I’ve found for chicken soup. I added some noodles and it was like a hug in a bowl! 😂
Made this tonight—so comforting. The garlic + basil combo is perfect, and the 20 minutes really lets everything taste cohesive. I added a pinch of chili flakes and it was chef’s kiss.
Totally agree—this soup is such a cozy bowl. I’ve made it twice and the garlic + basil combo is the real winner. Love that you added chili flakes too!
20 minutes seems a little short to me… onions and garlic usually need more time? Maybe it depends on the heat. Still sounds good tho—chicken + tomato soup is always a win.
Made this tonight and it’s honestly cozy as heck. The oregano + basil combo is perfect, and the shredded chicken makes it feel like a real meal, not just broth.
This is the kind of recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight. Minimal effort, decent results.
Totally agree—this is one of those dump-and-simmer dinners. I made it after work and it still tasted like I tried.
I did it but mine came out a little bland. Maybe I under-salted? Also I used fresh garlic once and it overpowered the basil for me.
Just wow. So easy!! My whole family ate it, even the picky one. 10/10