13 Chicken Soups for When January Is Better With Something Warm

Cold winter nights can have you reaching for easy meal ideas, and 13 chicken soups are worth keeping in your back pocket. Planning dinner shouldn’t mean extra stress, especially when you crave comfort. Sometimes you just need something simple that warms everyone up. Friends often ask for doable recipes that you can actually make after work.

A bowl of creamy soup with gnocchi, spinach, carrots, celery, chunks of chicken, and black pepper, with a spoon inside.
Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

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.

One spoonful of this Marry Me Chicken Soup is all it takes to melt away winter’s chill. Creamy broth and tender chicken bring comfort that hugs you from the inside out. I find myself reaching for it on the coldest nights of January. Friends often ask if there’s enough for a second bowl.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

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.

Quick comfort comes together in minutes with this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. Steamy broth and slurp-worthy noodles fill hungry bellies faster than you’d think possible. I whip up a batch after busy days when I crave something warm. The pot empties before the snow outside even stops falling.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle 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.

Tang and spice deliver a kick in this Hot and Sour Soup, breaking through the winter blahs. Fragrant broth, heat, and a little sourness wake up your senses and brighten icy days. I serve it as a starter before heavier dinners. Guests try it once and always want the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour 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.

Pillowy dumplings and shredded chicken fill the bowl in this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. Each bite tastes like comfort food made for cold January nights. I like dishing out extra when the temperature drops. The pan doesn’t stay full for long because everyone goes back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

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.

Silky broth and soft dumplings make this Chicken Dumpling Soup a crowd-pleaser on frosty evenings. Warm spoons and big smiles are guaranteed as soon as the pot hits the table. I often make a double batch for easy lunches. Conversations slow down while everyone focuses on their bowls.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Dumpling 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.

Bright toppings and bold aroma set this Chicken Tortilla Soup apart from other winter soups. Crunch and spice combine to bring excitement to chilly evenings. I add extra chips for topping because they disappear fast. Anyone who tries it always asks if there’s another serving left.
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.

Deep comfort calls from every spoonful of this Chicken Noodle Soup, especially during January’s longest nights. Each bite soothes sore throats and tired bones with familiar flavor. I keep containers in my freezer for quick meals. No one turns down a second helping at the table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle 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.

Savory chicken, rich broth, and tender veggies warm up dinner with this Italian Penicillin Soup. Even picky eaters welcome a bowl, especially when noses run and the weather stays gray. I share it with friends feeling under the weather. Steaming mugs are emptied before anyone has a chance to ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penicillin 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.

Noodles, greens, and a golden broth star in this Chicken Ramen, turning dinner into an event even on the darkest winter nights. Smoky aroma and slurpable texture stand out among comfort foods. I find myself making it when regular soup just won’t cut it. The final spoonful always comes too soon.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ramen

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.

Hearty meatballs and leafy greens float together in this Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup, making cozy meals possible after busy days. Simmering aroma fills your house and brings people running to the kitchen. I make this on weeks when I want dinner with almost no effort. Every bowl ends up empty.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding 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.

Simple ingredients come together for maximum comfort in this Chicken Noodle Soup. Fluffy noodles and warm chicken provide everything you crave on a cold night. I freeze extra batches to share with neighbors or bring to work. Smiles spread every time someone gets a bowl of this classic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle 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.

Thick, creamy broth and tender chunks of chicken make this Chicken Pot Pie Soup taste just like the original pie. Flaky crackers or bread on the side keep you dipping for more. I pair it with a salad for an easy January dinner. There’s always excitement when this soup makes an appearance.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with gnocchi, spinach, carrots, celery, chunks of chicken, and black pepper, with a spoon inside.
Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Hearty gnocchi and a veggie-packed broth turn this Gnocchi Soup into a winter meal you’ll want again and again. Soft dumplings soak up savory flavors for true comfort. I keep some on standby for chilly nights in January. Bowls are scraped clean as soon as the soup is ladled out.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi 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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