Chicken and Vegetable Ribollita is a comforting Italian soup that brings together tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and rustic bread in a rich, savory broth. Ribollita, traditionally a Tuscan dish, is known for its deep flavors and satisfying texture. This variation adds lean chicken for extra protein and a perfect balance of flavor, making it a hearty meal that’s perfect for chilly days.
The base of Ribollita is a flavorful vegetable medley, including onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. These are sautéed in olive oil to release their natural sweetness and aroma, creating a delicious foundation for the soup. Adding fresh tomatoes, beans (typically cannellini beans), and a touch of broth creates a hearty, warming soup base.
Chicken is added to the mix, either as shredded rotisserie chicken or tender chicken breasts, which is simmered with the vegetables to absorb all the flavors. The dish gets its signature texture by adding cubes of stale or day-old bread, which soak up the liquid and break down into the soup, giving it a creamy yet rustic feel.
A good dose of hearty greens, like kale or Swiss chard, is added to the soup for a nutrient-packed boost, offering both color and flavor. As the soup simmers, all the ingredients meld together, creating a deep, rich flavor that feels both comforting and satisfying. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top add the perfect finishing touches to this warm, soul-satisfying dish.
Chicken and Vegetable Ribollita is not only flavorful but also incredibly nutritious. Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins from the chicken and vegetables, it’s a well-rounded meal in a bowl. It’s perfect for meal prep, as the flavors only get better the next day.
Serve this Ribollita with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad for a complete, fulfilling meal that’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

Ingredients
- 1 chicken
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can cannellini beans
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups kale chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and dried thyme to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the chicken to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred the meat using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and add the chopped kale.
- Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the kale is wilted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
What’s ribollita? Is that even a real thing? I just made a soup. Kinda disappointed.
Easy to make! My kids loved it! 🐔🥬❤️
This was so good! The chicken was super tender and the broth had a nice flavor. Definitely making this again!
This was sooo good! The flavors were amazing, and my family loved it! Definitely making it again.
I added some chili flakes and wow! Spiced it up real nice.
Meh. Didn’t turn out how I expected. The chicken took forever to cook.
This ribollita recipe is a game changer! Rich and hearty, perfect for rainy days. My family loved it!
I followed the recipe but it was too salty for us. Maybe cut down on the broth next time?
Tried this yesterday and loved it! The kale added a nice touch. I added some chili flakes for kick.
So glad you liked it! The chili flakes sound like a great addition! I bet it was super tasty!
What’s ribollita? Sounds Italian. Is it just soup? I just can’t understand 🤔
This was delicious! The flavors melded perfectly. Definitely making it again. Thanks!
Meh, it was okay but kinda bland. I think it needs more spices. 🙁
Very hearty and filling. Perfect for the cold weather. I added some parmesan on top, and it was delicious!
SUPER easy! I added more garlic cuz love it! My kids actually ate the kale lol!
I’m not a chef, but I tried this. My wife loved it, and I got so many compliments. Who knew chicken and veggies could be this tasty!
That’s awesome to hear! Sometimes simple recipes can surprise us. Glad you and your wife enjoyed it!
I followed the recipe but it came out kind of bland… Maybe I missed something? More spices next time for sure.
Yuck! This just wasn’t it for me. The chicken didn’t cook right, and the kale was just… meh.
I don’t know about this recipe, it seems a bit bland to me. Maybe add some spice?
Fabulus! I used leftover chicken, not tender, but really adds flavor! A +++!
I didn’t have kale, so I used spinach. Still turned out pretty good!
But kale is sooo important for ribollita! Hope it didn’t change the taste too much.
Spinach is a great substitute! I’m glad it worked out for you. 😊
Yum! Finished it all! Just wish there was more chicken in it. Otherwise very satisfying.
This recipe was complicated. I thought ribollita was supposed to be a soup with bread? Not sure what this is.
I think you forgot to mention to use boneless chicken? I used it with bones and it was a mess.
Yeah, I totally agree! Bones make it hard to eat. Boneless would be way better!
Wow, 1.5-2 hours? My patience is thin! 😂
This seems like too much work for soup. I’ll just stick to my usual chicken noodle. 😕