What Spices Go in Chicken Vegetable Soup? (11 Best Spices)
The best spices for chicken vegetable soup are bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, and thyme. You can also add garlic, onion, and celery for extra flavor. If you want a more robust soup, try adding a Parmesan cheese rind to the pot while the soup simmers.
Knowing what spices go well in chicken vegetable soup can be the difference between a blah meal and a delicious one.
And while you may be tempted to just go with salt and pepper (I see you, Mrs. Dash), I’m here to show you that there are so many other delicious options out there.
So, whether you’re looking for a cozy winter soup or something to help you beat the summer heat, read on for my top 11 picks.
See Also: 10 Best Herbs and Spices for Chicken Vegetable Soup
What Spices Go in Chicken Vegetable Soup?
Some common spices used in chicken vegetable soup are black pepper, cumin, ginger, and turmeric. You can also add garlic, onion powder, and celery seed for extra flavor. If you want a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
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Here are 11 spices that go well in chicken vegetable soup:
1. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have an almost minty flavor to them and when used in soup can really help to enhance the flavor of the broth.
This particular spice is often used in chicken vegetable soup as it can help to bring out the flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
Bay leaves can also be used in other soups as well, such as beef vegetable soup or even a simple tomato soup (See Also: 13 Best Tomatoes for Tomato Soup).
If you are using dried bay leaves, you will want to make sure that you remove them before serving the soup as they can be quite tough and not very pleasant to eat.
2. Black Pepper
Black Pepper comes with piney, citrusy notes that can really brighten up a dish.
It is also one of the few spices that go well with both sweet and savory dishes.
When it comes to soup, black pepper can really help to boost the flavor of the broth and bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables.
A little bit of black pepper goes a long way, so start with just a pinch or two and then add more to taste.
You can always add more but you cannot take it away once it is in there, so be careful not to overdo it.
3. Celery Seed
Celery seeds taste a lot like celery.
These seeds have a slightly bitter flavor, but they also add a nice depth of flavor to soups and stews.
Celery seed is often used in chicken vegetable soup because it goes so well with the other flavors in the soup.
The celery seed will not only add some flavor to your soup, but it will also help to thicken it up a bit.
You can find celery seed in most grocery stores near the other spices.
A little goes a long way with this particular spice, so start with just a pinch or two and then add more to taste.
4. Cumin
Cumin has a slightly sweet, warming flavor and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
In chicken vegetable soup, cumin adds a depth of flavor that takes the soup to the next level.
Cumin pairs well with other spices commonly used in soup such as garlic, ginger, and chili pepper.
If you’re using dried cumin, start with a small amount and add more to taste.
Ground cumin is also available pre-mixed with other spices such as chili powder or garam masala.
If using one of these spice blends, start with half the amount called for in the recipe and adjust to taste.
5. Garlic
Garlic is like the superhero of flavor if you ask me. It can make just about anything taste better.
So, of course, when it comes to chicken vegetable soup, garlic is a great spice to use.
It will add a depth of flavor that you may not have even known your soup was missing.
I would recommend using fresh garlic if at all possible because the flavor is just so much better.
But, if you only have dried garlic on hand, that will work too.
You’ll just want to use less of it since the dried form is more potent than the fresh.
No matter which form of garlic you use, I’m sure you’ll be happy with the results!
Your soup will be full of flavor and aromatic goodness.
6. Ginger
Fresh ginger is slightly peppery and sweet all at the same time, making it a perfect spice to use in chicken vegetable soup.
Ginger is also really versatile and can be used in sweet or savory dishes.
In addition to being a great flavor enhancer, ginger is also really good for you.
Ginger has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can also help with nausea.
So, not only will your soup taste great with a little ginger added in, but you’ll also be getting some health benefits as well.
A little goes a long way with ginger, so start by adding just a small amount and then adjust to taste.
7. Onion Powder
Onion powder tastes more oniony than an actual onion, so it can really give your soup a boost of flavor.
This is a great spice to use if you want to add more onion flavor to your soup without actually adding any more onions.
Onion powder is also a great way to add onion flavor without having to worry about the onions getting mushy in the soup.
Soups are typically simmered for quite some time, which can cause onions to turn into an unappetizing mush.
If you want to avoid this, you can add onion powder instead.
It will give your soup all of the flavor without any of the texture issues.
8. Paprika
The taste of paprika can vary from mild to spicy, depending on the type of pepper used to make it.
It’s made from grinding dried peppers into a powder.
The most common type of paprika is made from red peppers and has a mild, sweet taste.
Paprika is often used as a garnish, but it can also be used to add flavor to soups and stews.
For example, try adding paprika to your chicken vegetable soup for a little extra flavor.
Just be sure not to add too much, as the spice can quickly become overwhelming.
9. Red Pepper Flakes
Slightly sharp and a little earthy with a dose of spicy heat, red pepper flakes are the perfect addition to chicken vegetable soup.
They add a bit of zing that takes this soup from good to great.
Red pepper flakes are also incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes.
If you want to tone down the heat, simply use less red pepper flakes.
You can always add more, but you can’t take them away once they’re in there, so start with a small amount and then add more to taste.
10. Thyme
Usually, thyme will have a sharp, almost minty flavor to it, which can really brighten up a dish.
In chicken vegetable soup, that flavor will really stand out and add a nice zing to an otherwise bland soup.
Thyme is also known for being a very versatile spice.
So, if you find that your soup needs a little more of something, thyme is always a good option to consider.
You can find thyme in the spice aisle of any grocery store.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric is overwhelmingly earthy and bitter, with a slightly pungent and astringent taste.
A little goes a long way with this spice, as it can easily overpower other flavors.
Turmeric is often used in Indian curries, but it can be used in soups as well.
When using turmeric in soup, it’s best to start with a small amount and then add more to taste.
Too much turmeric can make your soup bitter and unpalatable.
If you’re using a pre-made curry powder that contains turmeric, start with even less and add more to taste.