Discover the delightful simplicity of this Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup, a recipe that promises a light yet incredibly hearty meal. Featuring succulent, tender chicken and fresh cabbage simmered in a profoundly savory broth, this soup is designed for ultimate comfort and rapid preparation. In just 15 minutes, with a handful of simple, accessible ingredients, you can create one of the quickest and most satisfying chicken soups right in your own kitchen. It’s the perfect solution for bustling weeknights, a gentle remedy for a cold day, or whenever you crave something warm, nourishing, and deeply flavorful. This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a vibrant, wholesome experience packed with goodness.
The Ultimate Quick & Comforting Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to soothe the soul, and this Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup delivers comfort in every spoonful. When I’m seeking a dinner that’s both effortlessly simple and satisfyingly low-carb, this recipe, or my beloved tomato egg drop soup, often takes center stage. Its clean, vibrant flavors and straightforward preparation make it an absolute staple for a healthy and quick meal.
What makes this easy chicken soup truly remarkable is its incredible adaptability. It serves as a fantastic base for customization, allowing you to effortlessly swap in various vegetables or proteins to perfectly align with your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. This flexibility ensures that the soup never gets boring and can be tailored for every occasion.
If you find yourself with some crisp green cabbage lingering in the fridge, unsure of its culinary destiny, look no further. This savory chicken and cabbage soup recipe is your answer. It transforms humble ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece that’s likely to earn a permanent spot in your regular meal rotation. Its blend of tender chicken, nutritious cabbage, and fragrant aromatics creates a harmonious balance that’s both delightful and incredibly wholesome.
My personal preference for this soup leans towards simplicity. I intentionally keep the additions minimal, allowing the pure, unadulterated flavors of the chicken, fresh cabbage, and fragrant aromatics like ginger and garlic to truly shine. This approach ensures a clean, crisp taste profile, free from overwhelming complexities. It’s not about fancy ingredients, but rather about showcasing a wholesome, nutritious, and deeply comforting bowl of soup that nourishes both body and soul.
Essential Ingredients for Your Flavorful Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
Crafting this delightful Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup begins with gathering a selection of straightforward, easy-to-find ingredients. Chances are, many of these kitchen staples are already nestled in your pantry or refrigerator, making this a truly convenient meal. Each component plays a vital role in building the soup’s signature savory depth and comforting appeal.
- Boneless Chicken Breast: We opt for thinly sliced boneless chicken breast for its tender texture and exceptionally quick cooking time, ensuring your soup is ready in a flash. For those who prefer an even richer flavor profile and slightly more forgiving texture, boneless chicken thighs make an excellent alternative.
- Green Cabbage: The star vegetable of this chicken cabbage soup. Fresh, vibrant green cabbage is paramount for the best flavor and a pleasant crunch that softens beautifully in the broth. While fresh is always recommended, pre-shredded cabbage can be a convenient time-saver on particularly busy days.
Pro Tip for Cabbage Selection: When selecting cabbage, look for heads that are firm, heavy for their size, and possess vibrant, tightly packed leaves. These characteristics indicate freshness and will ensure your soup has the best possible texture and taste, and the cabbage will last longer in storage.
- Carrot: Adding a touch of natural sweetness and a pop of vibrant color, carrots are a welcome addition. Ensure they are sliced thinly, ideally quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced, so they cook quickly and evenly alongside the cabbage, contributing to the overall tender texture of the vegetables.
- Ginger and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses are fundamental to the authentic Asian flavor profile of this soup. Sautéing minced ginger and garlic first in sesame oil builds a fragrant, aromatic base that infuses the entire broth with warmth, depth, and a subtle zing. Don’t skip this crucial step for maximum flavor.
- Chicken Broth Cube and Water (or Chicken Broth): This combination forms the simple yet incredibly flavorful foundation of your soup. A quality chicken broth cube dissolved in water creates a robust and savory liquid that ties all the ingredients together. Alternatively, using pre-made chicken broth offers a convenient shortcut and consistent flavor.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Essential for imparting a rich, savory umami flavor and a beautiful, appetizing darker hue to the broth. If dark soy sauce isn’t readily available, regular soy sauce can be used, though the color may be lighter, and the flavor slightly less intense. Adjust to your taste.
- Salt and White Pepper: These seasonings are vital for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. White pepper, with its milder, more subtle heat, is preferred in Asian cuisine for its ability to add a gentle warmth without overpowering other delicate flavors. Taste and adjust carefully, as other ingredients like soy sauce and broth cubes already contribute sodium.
- Sesame Oil: Used initially to sauté the ginger and garlic, sesame oil is more than just a cooking fat here. It introduces a distinct, nutty aroma and rich flavor right from the very beginning, setting the stage for the soup’s depth. A drizzle at the end can also boost its fragrant appeal.
- Green Onions: Offering a fresh, mild oniony bite and a burst of color, chopped green onions are stirred in towards the end of cooking and reserved for a vibrant garnish. They add a fresh finish that complements the savory broth perfectly.
Refer to the full recipe card below for precise measurements and detailed ingredient quantities. These notes are here to guide you in understanding the role of each component in achieving the perfect bowl of quick Asian chicken soup.
Creative Add-Ins & Variations for Your Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
While this Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup is a triumph in its simple form, its inherent versatility invites endless customization. Feel free to unleash your culinary creativity with these suggested add-ins, transforming the soup to suit your mood or available ingredients:
- Egg: For an elegant touch reminiscent of classic egg drop soup, gently swirl in a whisked egg during the final minutes of cooking. The egg will cook into delicate, silky ribbons, adding both texture and a subtle richness.
- Cornstarch Slurry: If you prefer a slightly thicker, more substantial broth, prepare a simple slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the simmering soup at the end, allowing it to thicken for a minute or two until desired consistency is reached.
- Veggies: Elevate the nutritional content and flavor with additional vegetables. Consider sliced mushrooms for an earthy depth, fresh spinach or bok choy added at the very end to just wilt, sweet corn for pops of sweetness, or colorful bell peppers for a vibrant crunch. Remember to add quicker-cooking vegetables towards the final stages to prevent overcooking.
- Flavor Boosters: A splash of rice vinegar introduced at the end can brighten the soup with a tangy counterpoint, while a dash of fish sauce can add an extra layer of savory umami depth, enhancing the overall Asian profile.
- Heat: For those who crave a spicy kick, finely chopped red chilies or a generous pinch of chili flakes can be stirred in. You can also drizzle some chili oil over individual servings for personalized heat.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs always provide a wonderful finish. Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley sprinkled over the top just before serving adds a burst of freshness and aromatic complexity.
- Carbs: To transform this into an even heartier, more complete meal, consider adding your favorite noodles (such as rice noodles, egg noodles, or even instant ramen noodles for convenience) directly into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking. Alternatively, serving it over a scoop of leftover steamed rice makes for a wonderfully comforting and filling bowl.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Perfect Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
Creating this delicious quick Asian chicken cabbage soup is incredibly straightforward, designed for efficiency without compromising on flavor. Follow these easy steps to bring this comforting meal to life:
- Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the minced ginger (½ inch piece) and minced garlic cloves (2 cloves). Sauté for just a few seconds, stirring constantly, until they become wonderfully fragrant. This step is crucial for building the foundational flavors of your broth.
- Build the Broth: Carefully pour in 4 cups of water into the pot. Drop in the chicken broth cube (1 cube) and stir well, ensuring it fully dissolves into the hot water. If using liquid chicken broth instead of water and a cube, simply pour in 4 cups of your preferred broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Vegetables: Introduce the chopped green cabbage (1 cup, chunky pieces) and thinly sliced carrot (1 small carrot) into the simmering broth. Allow them to simmer for approximately 6-7 minutes. This cooking time is just enough for the cabbage chunks to soften slightly while still retaining a pleasant texture, and for the carrots to become tender-crisp.
- Cook the Chicken: Carefully add the thinly sliced boneless chicken breast (1 breast) to the simmering soup. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the chicken pieces are just cooked through and no longer pink. It’s crucial not to overcook the chicken, as thin slices can quickly become dry and tough.
- Season the Soup: With the chicken cooked, it’s time to finalize the flavors. Stir in salt and white pepper to taste, along with the chopped green onions (2, reserving some for garnish if desired) and 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce. Mix gently to combine all the seasonings evenly throughout the soup.
- Taste and Serve: Before serving, take a moment to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or soy sauce to perfectly suit your palate. Once seasoned to perfection, serve your steaming homemade Asian chicken cabbage soup hot and enjoy every comforting spoonful.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Your Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
One of the many benefits of this quick Asian chicken cabbage soup is how well it stores, making it an excellent option for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. To keep your soup fresh and flavorful, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Once sealed, store the soup in the refrigerator, where it will remain delicious for up to 3 days. For reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature and is steaming hot. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave, using short intervals and stirring between each to ensure even heating. If the broth seems to have thickened slightly or reduced, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to thin it out to your preferred consistency before reheating.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Bowl of Chicken Cabbage Soup
Achieving a consistently delicious bowl of Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup is easy with a few expert tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Since we’re using thinly sliced chicken breast, it cooks incredibly fast. About 2 minutes of simmering is usually sufficient. Overcooking will render the chicken dry and fibrous, detracting significantly from the soup’s tender texture. Keep an eye on it – as soon as it’s no longer pink, it’s done.
- Season Gradually and Taste: Remember that both the chicken broth cube (or pre-made broth) and the dark soy sauce contribute a considerable amount of salt. It’s always best to add salt and white pepper incrementally. Taste the soup after adding these initial seasonings, and then adjust as needed to reach your perfect balance of flavor. This prevents over-salting, which can be difficult to correct.
- Embrace the Aromatics: The initial step of sautéing the minced ginger and garlic in sesame oil is paramount. This process awakens their potent flavors and infuses the oil, creating an aromatic foundation that permeates the entire broth, adding incredible depth and complexity. Skipping this step would mean missing out on a significant portion of the soup’s distinctive character, so I highly recommend making time for it.
- Freshness Matters: While convenience is great, opting for fresh cabbage and chicken will always yield the best results in terms of flavor and texture. A crisp head of green cabbage makes a noticeable difference.
- Customizing Vegetables: If you’re adding other quick-cooking vegetables like spinach or bok choy, stir them in during the last minute or two of cooking. This ensures they remain vibrant and tender-crisp, preventing them from becoming mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup
Absolutely, napa cabbage is a wonderful substitute and will lend a slightly sweeter, milder flavor and a more tender texture to your Asian chicken cabbage soup. When using napa cabbage, a slight adjustment to the cooking method is beneficial: first, add the thicker, whiter napa cabbage stems along with the carrots. Allow these to simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Once the chicken is tender and the stems have softened, stir in the more delicate napa cabbage leaves and let them simmer very briefly, for just 1-2 minutes, until they are just wilted. This ensures the leaves retain their delicate texture and don’t become overcooked.
This versatile Asian chicken cabbage soup is delicious and satisfying on its own as a light yet fulfilling meal, especially for lunch or a low-carb dinner. However, to transform it into a more substantial and complete dinner, you have several excellent options. It pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or brown rice, allowing the rice to soak up the savory broth. Alternatively, you can serve it alongside or with a handful of cooked noodles, such as thin rice vermicelli, egg noodles, or even ramen noodles (discarding the seasoning packet). For a different texture, a slice of crusty bread on the side can be delightful for dipping. You could also complement it with a simple side salad or some steamed edamame for added greens and protein.
Yes, this Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup is inherently low-carb and suitable for most keto diets, making it a fantastic healthy option. The primary ingredients — chicken, cabbage, carrots, ginger, and garlic — are all low in carbohydrates. The use of a chicken broth cube and soy sauce typically keeps the carb count minimal. To ensure it remains strictly keto-friendly, avoid adding any high-carb ingredients like noodles or rice. You can also monitor your serving sizes of carrots, as they contain a moderate amount of carbs, but in the quantities used in this recipe, they are usually fine. This soup offers a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy a warm, flavorful meal without compromising your dietary goals.
While this recipe is designed as a chicken soup, it can certainly be adapted for a vegetarian or vegan diet with a few simple substitutions. Replace the chicken breast with plant-based protein options like firm tofu (pressed, cubed, and pan-fried until golden for best texture), tempeh, or even a mix of hearty mushrooms like shiitake or cremini. Instead of chicken broth or a chicken broth cube, use a good quality vegetable broth or a vegetable stock cube. Ensure your soy sauce is vegan-friendly (most are, but always check labels). The rest of the ingredients – cabbage, carrots, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and green onions – are already plant-based. These modifications will result in a flavorful and nourishing plant-based Asian cabbage soup.
More Delicious Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed the simple, robust flavors of this Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup, you’ll surely appreciate these other delightful recipes from our collection, perfect for expanding your repertoire of quick and easy Asian-inspired meals:
- Easy Asian Chicken Marinade – Sticky and Savory: Elevate your chicken dishes with this irresistible, flavorful marinade that’s perfect for grilling, baking, or stir-frying.
- Chinese Shrimp and Cabbage Stir Fry: A vibrant, quick, and healthy stir-fry bursting with the freshness of shrimp and crisp cabbage, seasoned with classic Chinese flavors.
- Atakilt Wat (Ethiopian Cabbage Carrot Potatoes) Recipe: Explore unique flavors with this aromatic Ethiopian stew featuring tender cabbage, sweet carrots, and hearty potatoes.
- Easy Curry Fried Rice with Shrimp: A colorful and aromatic fried rice dish infused with curry spices and succulent shrimp, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner.
- Easy Egg Fried Rice (Chinese Style Takeout Recipe): Recreate your favorite takeout classic at home with this simple yet incredibly flavorful Chinese-style egg fried rice recipe.
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Quick Asian Style Chicken and Cabbage Soup
This Asian-inspired chicken cabbage soup is wonderfully light yet deeply hearty, crafted with tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and a savory, aromatic broth. Ready in just 15 minutes using simple, wholesome ingredients, it stands out as one of the fastest and most satisfying chicken soups you can prepare at home. Perfect for busy schedules or when you’re craving a warm, comforting, and nutritious meal.
Main Course, Soup
Asian
Chicken Cabbage Soup, Quick Soup, Asian Soup
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
3
Geetanjali
Ingredients
- 1 boneless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1 cup green cabbage, cut into chunky pieces
- 1 small carrot, quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
- ½ inch fresh ginger, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups water (or chicken broth)
- 1 chicken broth cube (if using water)
- Salt and white pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Saute the Aromatics: Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the minced ginger and garlic, then sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Broth: Pour in 4 cups of water and drop in the chicken broth cube. Stir to dissolve. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chunky cabbage and thinly sliced carrot. Simmer for about 6-7 minutes until the cabbage softens slightly.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the thinly sliced chicken breast and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through. Be careful not to overcook.
- Season the Soup: Stir in salt, white pepper, chopped green onions, and dark soy sauce.
- Taste and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve your delicious Asian Chicken Cabbage Soup hot.
Notes
- Since you are using thin chicken breast slices, they cook very quickly. Approximately 2 minutes is enough. Be careful not to overcook, or the meat can turn dry and tough.
- The chicken broth cube and soy sauce already contribute salt, so be sure to taste the soup before adding extra and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Sautéing the aromatics (ginger and garlic) in sesame oil adds incredible depth and fragrance to the soup, so I highly recommend not skipping this crucial step.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 5g |
Protein: 17g |
Fat: 4g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 0.01g |
Cholesterol: 48mg |
Sodium: 553mg |
Potassium: 427mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 3522IU |
Vitamin C: 13mg |
Calcium: 42mg |
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition information provided is a general estimate only and may vary depending on specific ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used. For the most accurate nutritional data, please consult a registered dietitian or use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the exact products you use.