13 Chicken Soup Recipes Everyone Turns To When It’s Cold and Exhausting

Cold, tiring days call for food that feels steady, not complicated, and that’s where these 13 chicken soup recipes come in. I turn to this kind of lineup when energy is low, and decisions feel harder than cooking itself. Each option fits those moments when something warm sounds right but nothing fussy does.

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with wide noodles, chunks of chicken, carrots, celery, and herbs in a clear broth.
Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

A close-up of soup with meatballs, carrots, celery, spinach, slivered almonds, and fresh herbs in a clear broth.
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Some soups are good, but this Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup feels like the ultimate cold-weather comfort. There’s something about the hearty flavors and gentle warmth that makes it a favorite for gloomy evenings. It has the perfect balance of cozy and enjoyable without being overly complicated.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

A bowl of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings garnished with chopped parsley.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When it’s one of those stressful days where you just want the world to stop for a second, this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings is the kind of meal that feels like a big sigh of relief. It’s warm, rich, and brings all kinds of nostalgic vibes. By the time the bowl’s empty, you just feel better.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken Soup

A pot of soup with sliced carrots, potatoes, and herbs floating in a seasoned broth.
Chicken Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Some dishes are so simple, they border on genius. This Chicken Soup has that “classic” quality that never goes out of style. It’s warm, soothing, and exactly what you reach for when you’re craving something familiar. A cold day doesn’t feel so overwhelming when this bowl is front and center.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Soup

Hot and Sour Soup

Bowl of hot and sour soup with mushrooms, tofu, and sliced green onions, with a spoon on the side.
Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When you’re looking to shake up the usual soup routine, this Hot and Sour Soup is a perfect escape. The bold flavors have just the right amount of zing to wake things up without overdoing it. It’s ideal for those nights where you want something comforting, but with a little edge to it. This soup sticks in your mind long after you’ve finished the last spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken Ramen

Close-up of a bowl of ramen with minced meat, spinach, sliced scallions, half a soft-boiled egg, and noodles in broth, garnished with sesame seeds and pepper.
Chicken Ramen. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

I love when a meal feels both effortless and satisfying, and this Chicken Ramen is exactly that kind of go-to. It’s perfect for those longer nights where you just want to curl up with something warm and comforting. The balance between filling and flavorful is what makes this one so unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ramen

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of rotini pasta soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, and herbs, with a spoon resting inside.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen but still crave the kind of comfort that heals your bones, this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup absolutely delivers. It’s effortlessly cozy and has that familiar quality that feels like home. Perfect for when the weather’s taking a toll and you just need something quick to lift your spirits.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with gnocchi, spinach, carrots, chicken pieces, and shredded cheese, garnished with herbs and black pepper.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

I’ll admit; this Chicken Gnocchi Soup feels more like a treat than just dinner. It’s the kind of soup that pairs beautifully with quiet evenings or snow outside your window. There’s something about its smooth, comforting vibe that makes you feel like you’ve been taken care of. If you’re looking for a recipe to brighten a tough day, this one wins every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Chicken Dumpling Soup

Close-up of creamy chicken and dumplings garnished with chopped parsley and black pepper.
Chicken Dumpling Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Soup doesn’t get more satisfying than this Chicken Dumpling Soup. It has an irresistible warmth that feels like someone out there understands exactly how you’re feeling. Every spoonful makes a cold day feel more manageable and a tough moment feel a little quieter. It’s the kind of dish people keep saying they can’t get enough of.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

A pot of creamy vegetable and chicken soup with mushrooms, corn, peas, carrots, and herbs.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Some recipes have a way of wrapping you in warmth, and this Chicken Pot Pie Soup is definitely one of them. It’s perfect for those nights when you want comfort that feels indulgent but not complicated. The flavors are familiar, cozy, and easy to fall in love with, no matter how stormy the world feels outside.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Whoever named this Marry Me Chicken Soup understood how much people love it; it’s that good. One bowl of this and even the toughest days feel manageable. There’s something about the richness and warmth that makes it unforgettable in the best way. Whether the weather’s miserable or you just need an emotional pick-me-up, this soup always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup

A bowl of chicken and rice soup with chunks of chicken, diced carrots, celery, and parsley garnish, served with a spoon.
Italian Penicillin Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Whenever winter feels endless, this Italian Penicillin Soup seems to make the chill disappear for a while. It’s soothing, effortless, and somehow feels like everything you need in a bowl. It lives up to its name as the ultimate remedy for both bad weather and bad days. No wonder people always go back to this recipe; it’s just that comforting.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penicillin Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Close-up of a bowl of chicken tortilla soup with crispy tortilla strips, avocado pieces, corn, cheese, and herbs in a rich red broth.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

For nights when you’re craving a little excitement with your comfort food, this Chicken Tortilla Soup is a game changer. The bold, vibrant flavors make it stand out from the usual, turning even the most monotonous cold day into something brighter. It’s the kind of soup that sticks with you; warm, filling, and just a little fun.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with wide noodles, chunks of chicken, carrots, celery, and herbs in a clear broth.
Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

This Chicken Noodle Soup is the kind of recipe where simplicity wins every time. It doesn’t need to be clever or flashy; it just feels like exactly the kind of comfort you want when life’s nonstop. On those cold, exhausting nights, this soup proves why it’s a classic. Sometimes, all you need is something familiar and dependable, and that’s exactly what this delivers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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