Hearty Smoked Chicken Adzuki Bean Soup with Vegetables

Name: Hearty Smoked Chicken Adzuki Bean Soup with Vegetables
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 small potatoes, peeled & roughly chopped; 1 small onion, roughly chopped; 1 stalk celery, including leaves, roughly chopped; 1 medium carrot, peeled & roughly chopped; 6 small leaves Savoy cabbage or kale, finely sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup adzuki beans; 1-2 tbsp olive oil; 2 quarters smoked chicken, skin removed and meat off the bone; 6 cup low sodium vegetable broth, no MSG; 2 small bay leaves; 1/2 sprig fresh rosemary; salt and pepper, to taste

A warming, protein-rich soup that combines tender smoked chicken with nutrient-dense adzuki beans and fresh vegetables. The smoky flavor from the chicken infuses the entire broth, while the beans provide hearty texture and earthy taste. Perfect for cold weather meals or when you want something nourishing and filling. The addition of fresh herbs like rosemary and bay leaves adds aromatic depth that sets this version apart from basic chicken soups.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 1 hr 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Level: medium

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Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Nut-Free

Ingredients

4 servings

2 small potatoes, peeled & roughly chopped
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1 stalk celery, including leaves, roughly chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled & roughly chopped
6 small leaves Savoy cabbage or kale, finely sliced
regular cabbage1:1availability
slightly different texture
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup adzuki beans
navy beans1:1vegetarian
similar texture
1 tbsp olive oil
2 quarters smoked chicken, skin removed and meat off the bone
rotisserie chicken1:1convenience
less smoky flavor
6 cup low sodium vegetable broth, no MSG
chicken broth1:1flavor
richer taste
Full guide →
2 small bay leaves
½ sprig fresh rosemary
salt and pepper, to taste(optional)

Method

10 steps

1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat
2
Add onions and cook until soft
3
Add celery and carrots, cook for 3 minutes
4
Add potatoes and minced garlic, cook for 3 minutes stirring often
5
Add cabbage or kale, beans, chicken meat, bay leaves, rosemary, salt, pepper and vegetable broth
6
Stir well, turn heat to medium low, cover and simmer for about 1 hour
7
Check and stir occasionally during cooking
8
Remove lid after 1 hour, taste and adjust seasoning
9
Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes
10
Allow to cool before serving

Tips

Tip 1

Remove chicken skin before adding to prevent excess grease in the soup.

Tip 2

Soak adzuki beans overnight for faster cooking and better texture.

Tip 3

Let the soup rest after cooking to allow flavors to meld together.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 4 days in airtight container.

Make Ahead

Can be made 2 days ahead and reheated gently.

Serve With

Serve warm with crusty bread or crackers.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip removing chicken skin to avoid greasy soup.

Watch

Stir occasionally to prevent beans from sticking to bottom.

Substitutions

adzuki beans→

navy beans1:1vegetarian

similar texture

vegetable broth→

chicken broth1:1flavor

richer taste

Full guide →

savoy cabbage→

regular cabbage1:1availability

slightly different texture

smoked chicken→

rotisserie chicken1:1convenience

less smoky flavor

Full guide →

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use dried adzuki beans instead of canned?

Yes, soak 1/2 cup dried beans overnight, then cook them separately until tender before adding to the soup.

What if I don't have smoked chicken?

Use rotisserie chicken and add a small amount of smoked paprika or liquid smoke for similar flavor depth.

How long will this soup keep in the freezer?

The soup freezes well for up to 3 months, though the potatoes may change texture slightly when thawed.