Chicken & White Bean Soup

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Rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure—especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

an image of the Chicken & White Bean Soup
Credit:

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
6
an image of the ingredients to make the Chicken & White Bean Soup

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced into ¼-inch rounds

  • tablespoons chopped fresh sage

  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

  • teaspoon salt plus ½ teaspoon, divided

  • 6 cups unsalted chicken broth

  • 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed

  • 1 (2-pound) roasted chicken, skin discarded, meat removed from bones and shredded (4 cups)

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sliced leeks; cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1½ tablespoons sage, 2 teaspoons thyme, 2 teaspoons garlic and ⅛ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in 6 cups broth; increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and stir in rinsed beans, shredded chicken, ½ teaspoon pepper and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

    an image of the broth being added to the soup

    Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Recipe Updates

Based on earlier review and comments of this recipe, we’ve retested and made the following adjustments (and updated the nutritional analysis accordingly):

  • Increased the oil and sage (to add flavor)
  • Swapped out reduced-sodium broth and water, for all no-salt-added broth (to make the flavor more savory)
  • Added salt (to make the flavor more savory)
  • Added thyme, garlic, ground pepper and lemon juice (to add flavor)

Updated January 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is rotisserie chicken good for you?

    Rotisserie chicken can be a real timesaver when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry! And for many, it can be a great source of protein and other nutrients. With that said, many brands inject a saline solution (read: salt) into the chicken and use a salty brine or rub on the outside of the chicken. This adds a ton of flavor but also a ton of sodium. So, if you need to watch your sodium, either use rotisserie chicken sparingly or try our simple Best Poached Chicken recipe.

  • Are cannellini beans healthy?

    Like other legumes, cannellini beans are a great plant-based source of protein and are packed with fiber. They also provide zinc, potassium, B vitamins, iron, manganese and phosphorus, as well as antioxidants. Regularly eating beans can improve gut health, boost immunity and reduce inflammation—which means they help reduce the risk of chronic disease. Beans play a special role in protecting your heart. The fiber helps reduce cholesterol, and the potassium in beans helps keep blood pressure in a healthy range.

  • Can I use other types of white beans?

    Yes, you can! We use cannellini beans for this recipe, but you can use any type of white bean, such as navy beans or great northern beans. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added canned white beans if you’re watching your sodium intake.

  • Can I add other vegetables to the soup?

    Yes! This soup is a great way to use up extra vegetables in your refrigerator. You can add any type of chopped vegetables at the beginning of cooking with the leeks, but if you want to use up leftover roasted vegetables, add those with the beans and chicken and cook until heated through.

  • Can I make Chicken & White Bean Soup ahead?

    Yes, you can make the soup ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

358 Calories
18g Fat
17g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1½ cups
Calories 358
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 87mg 29%
Vitamin A 159µg
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 12%
Folate 56µg
Vitamin K 27µg
Sodium 343mg 15%
Calcium 86mg 7%
Iron 4mg 20%
Magnesium 64mg 15%
Potassium 557mg 12%
Zinc 3mg 23%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Jan Valdez

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.