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Close-up of a pot filled with rich Chicken & Turkey Soup featuring bowtie pasta, sliced carrots, and shredded meat.

Chicken & Turkey Soup

This soup uses leftover turkey to create a simple, comforting meal. The broth is seasoned with herbs and flavor enhancers like Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder. This recipe is designed to keep the pasta separate from the soup base for better storage.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 bowls

Equipment

  • Large soup pot (4.5 quart)

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 8 cups chicken broth (or turkey broth/stock)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups leftover turkey, diced/shredded
  • 1 cup bowtie pasta, uncooked

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil EACH
  • 1 teaspoon oregano EACH
  • 1 teaspoon parsley EACH
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder EACH
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage EACH
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper EACH

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
  • Add the onions, carrots, and celery and soften for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, bay leaf, and seasonings. Stir to combine.
  • Add the chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add the diced turkey.
  • Simmer gently, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
  • Boil the pasta separately until al dente. Drain the pasta and add it directly to serving bowls.
  • Ladle the soup on top of the pasta in the bowls.

Notes

This soup is better when made with homemade stock. You can add leftover turkey bones or wings to the broth while it simmers for extra flavor, removing them before serving. Adding a Parmesan rind to the broth while it simmers also adds savory flavor. If you want a creamier soup, add about 10 ounces of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup. If the broth tastes too salty after additions, add a little milk, cream, or water.
The hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder act as flavor enhancers and do not make the soup spicy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Do not store the pasta or rice with the soup base, as it will absorb the broth and become soft.
This recipe was inspired by stretching holiday leftovers into next-day meals. As I styled the bowl, the scent of herbs and broth brought back memories of gathering around the table for comfort.
By Clara Bennett, Lead Plate Designer at Recipes by Betty.
Keyword Chicken & Turkey Soup, Comfort Soup Recipes, Crockpot Soup Recipes, Easy Dinner Recipes, Easy Soup Ideas, Quick Soup Recipes, Quick Soups For Dinner, Soup Recipes Healthy, Winter Soup Recipes