Chicken Meatball Soup Recipe

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This delicious Chicken Meatball Soup recipe combines tender veggies like carrots, zucchini, and butternut squash with flavorful chicken meatballs, all simmered together in a rich broth seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic, and bay leaf. With the added goodness of pearl barley and diced tomatoes, this soup has that hearty, stick-to-your-ribs quality that makes it perfect for the cooler seasons.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Meatball Soup Recipe

You’ll love this Chicken Meatball Soup because it’s packed with healthy ingredients and flavors that are easy to customize. It’s one of those soup recipes that’s a cross between chicken noodle soup and Italian wedding soup, but with a twist.

The juicy, tender chicken meatballs are made from Italian chicken sausage, giving the soup a rich and savory taste without needing a ton of extra seasoning. Plus, the tender veggies and barley soak up all that delicious broth, creating a hearty soup that’s both filling and nutritious.

This soup is also great for meal prep! It tastes even better the next day, making it a perfect make-ahead option. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or No-Knead Crescent Rolls and you’ve got a meal that will warm you up from the inside out.

Main Ingredients Needed For Chicken Meatball Soup

Chicken Meatball Soup is made from a mixture of pantry staples and some other less used ingredients. So plan ahead and add what you need to your shopping list:

• Olive Oil, Onion, and Garlic – these three are a basic trio that packs a ton of flavor.
• Carrots, Zucchini, Butternut Squash, and Diced Tomatoes – these are all of our veggies for this soup. I bought a precut butternut squash and the diced tomatoes are canned.
• Chicken Broth – this fills out a lot of the soup and adds great chicken flavor.
• Bay Leaves, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Salt, and Black Pepper – all of our seasonings! Don’t forget to salt and pepper, those two go a long way when it comes to flavor.
• Pearl Barley – this is a whole grain and cooks right along with the soup. You could also use quinoa here.
• Chicken Sausage Links – I used raw chicken sausage links cut open to make chicken meatballs that cook in the soup as well.
• Parmesan Cheese – I like to top this chicken meatball soup with a little bit of parmesan cheese, but that’s optional.

Variations

• Swap out the pearl barley for small pasta like orzo or ditalini if you want something more like a chicken noodle soup.
• Use ground chicken or turkey meatballs instead of sausage for a lighter option.
• Add baby spinach or bell peppers for extra veggies and nutrients.
• Experiment with the broth by using homemade bone broth or even a fragrant coconut milk broth for a different flavor profile.
• Spice it up with red pepper flakes or a dash of fish sauce for an Asian-inspired twist.
• Serve it in a homemade bread bowl or with homemade crackers!

How to Make Chicken Meatball Soup

This Chicken Meatball Soup requires a bit of chopping, rolling, and waiting but couldn’t be easier. For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card below! Here are my step by step instructions for making this meatball soup:

1. Prepare the Veggies

Heat olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion, carrots, zucchini, and butternut squash for about 5-6 minutes until they start to soften.

2. Add Garlic + Broth

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and pearl barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.

3. Make the Meatballs

Remove the sausage meat from the casings and form small meatballs using wet hands. Drop the mini chicken meatballs into the simmering broth.

4. Cook the Soup

Let everything simmer for 30-45 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the barley is tender.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip the simmering – it’s the best way to develop deep, rich flavors.

5. Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

Keep this soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge! To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stovetop.

To Freeze: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

To Make Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day. Make it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The flavors will meld together beautifully.

FAQ About Chicken Meatball Soup

More Soup Recipes to Try!

• Alphabet Soup
• Easy Taco Soup
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Easy Italian Meatball Soup

This easy homemade Chicken Meatball Soup recipe is a favorite thing to make during the cold months. It’s hearty, healthy, and full of flavor – a great addition to your collection of soup recipes! The printable recipe card is below, have a great day 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.