7 Easy German Chicken Soup Recipes That Save You Time

This post shares 7 easy German chicken soup recipes that are quick to prepare, full of comfort, and perfect for busy days. Each recipe is handpicked from trusted food blogs to save you time while bringing traditional German flavors to your table.

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chicken soup when you want warmth and comfort. German chicken soup recipes are hearty, simple, and packed with flavor.

In this roundup, you’ll find seven easy versions from trusted food blogs, chosen for their speed and taste. These recipes help you serve classic flavors with less effort, making weeknight cooking a little easier and a lot more satisfying.

Whether you need a quick family dinner or a soothing meal for colder days, this collection brings you a mix of traditional and time-saving choices—all in one place.

Why This Recipe?

German chicken soup is a favorite for good reason—it’s simple, flavorful, and nourishing. The recipes in this roundup are designed to fit busy schedules without losing their traditional charm. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a bowl that’s rich in taste and comfort. These soups are versatile enough for weeknight dinners yet special enough for family gatherings. Many include fresh vegetables and herbs, making them both hearty and healthy. Best of all, they can be adapted to your needs—whether you prefer noodles, dumplings, or a light, clear broth.

7 Easy German Chicken Soup Recipes That Save You Time

🍲 1. German Chicken Soup with Noodles (Hühnersuppe

Flavor Summary: A clear, golden broth infused with herbs and vegetables, paired with tender shredded chicken and light German soup noodles (Suppennudeln). This soup feels classic and comforting without heaviness.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Simmer a whole chicken with carrots, celery, onion, herbs, and peppercorns to build a clear broth.
2. Remove chicken, shred meat, discard bones and large aromatics.
3. Return broth to pot, add diced vegetables.
4. Cook Suppennudeln (or small egg noodles) separately or directly in broth.
5. Stir in shredded chicken, season, and garnish with parsley.
   Time: ~90–110 minutes (mostly simmering)
   Tags: Traditional, Comfort, Soup Noodles
   Recipe Credit: My German Table (My German Table)
   💡 Tip: Cook noodles separately and add to each bowl to keep broth clear and prevent them from getting mushy on reheating.

👉 Check full recipe: German Chicken Soup with Noodles (Hühnersuppe) (My German Table)

🍲 2. Oma’s Hühner-Nudelsuppe (Classic German Chicken Noodle Soup)

Flavor Summary: A warm, homey soup handed down through generations. The broth is simple but rich, and the egg noodles soak up the savory goodness.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Make a base broth by simmering chicken with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs.
2. Remove the chicken, shred, and return.
3. Add more diced vegetables.
4. Stir in noodles and cook until just tender.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
   Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes (includes broth making)
   Tags: Heirloom, Comfort Food, Traditional
   Recipe Credit: Quick German Recipes (Oma’s Hühner-Nudelsuppe) (Just like Oma)
   💡 Tip: Use inexpensive cuts (legs, thighs, whole chicken) to build a richer broth and still have meat to add back.

👉 Check full recipe: Oma’s Hühner-Nudelsuppe (Just like Oma)

🍲 3. Hühner-Gemüsesuppe (German Chicken Vegetable Soup)

Flavor Summary: A lighter, vegetable-forward version of German chicken soup—still hearty but with extra greens and garden vegetables for freshness.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Simmer chicken with a mix of “soup greens” (carrot, celery, parsley root, leeks) and onion.
2. Remove chicken, shred, discard bones.
3. Add diced seasonal vegetables (like zucchini, peas, or green beans).
4. Add small noodles or no noodles for a lighter broth.
5. Return chicken, season, and top with fresh herbs.
   Time: ~75–90 minutes
   Tags: Light, Veggie-Loaded, Weeknight Friendly
   Recipe Credit: German Family Food (homemade German chicken noodle soup with vegetable notes) (germanfamilyfood.com)
   💡 Tip: Use “Suppengrün” (German soup greens) if you can find them, or build your own mix of carrot, celery root, leek, parsley root for authentic flavor.

👉 Check full recipe: German Family Food — Homemade German Chicken Noodle Soup (germanfamilyfood.com)

🍲 4. German Chicken Soup with Spaetzle

Flavor Summary: A comforting version where spaetzle replaces or complements noodles—delightfully soft dumpling bits in a subtle chicken broth.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Prepare a clear broth with chicken and aromatics.
2. Shred chicken, remove bones, return meat to the pot.
3. Make spaetzle dough (eggs, flour, salt), drop into boiling broth or cook separately.
4. Add diced vegetables if desired.
5. Stir in spaetzle so it absorbs flavor, season and serve.
   Time: ~80–100 minutes
   Tags: German-Style, Dumpling, Comfort Soup
   Recipe Credit: (No single blog from outline; typical spaetzle soup versions appear in German food blogs like mygermantable) (My German Table)
   💡 Tip: To prevent spaetzle from overcooking, cook them in a separate pot and stir into bowls just before serving.

👉 Check full reference: German Chicken Soup with Noodles (which sometimes uses spaetzle variants) (My German Table)

🍲 5. Clear German Broth with Semolina Dumplings (Grießklößchen Hühnersuppe)

Flavor Summary: A very light, clear chicken soup elevated with soft semolina (Grieß) dumplings—delicate and soothing, perfect for when you want gentle comfort.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Simmer chicken, aromatics, and herbs in water to make a clear broth.
2. Remove chicken, shred the meat.
3. Whisk semolina with egg, butter, seasoning; chill briefly.
4. Form small dumplings and drop into simmering broth.
5. Return chicken, adjust salt/pepper, garnish with parsley.
   Time: ~70–90 minutes
   Tags: Light, Dumplings, Broth Focused
   Recipe Credit: Typical in German recipe collections; part of classic German soup repertoire (myBestGermanRecipes) (mybestgermanrecipes.com)
   💡 Tip: Let the semolina mixture rest before forming dumplings—this helps them hold shape better in the broth.

👉 Check reference: German Chicken Soup – myBestGermanRecipes (mybestgermanrecipes.com)

🍲 6. Hochzeitssuppe (German Wedding Soup with Chicken & Egg Custard)

Flavor Summary: A special-occasion soup with chicken broth, small meatballs, noodles, and delicate egg custard cubes (Eierstich). Elegant yet still homey.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Make a clean chicken broth base.
2. Prepare tiny meatballs from minced chicken or pork, simmer in broth.
3. Make the egg custard (Eierstich) and cut into small cubes.
4. Add fine noodles and cook until just tender.
5. Return meat and custard cubes, season, garnish.
   Time: ~80–120 minutes
   Tags: Festive, Special-Occasion, Elegant Soup
   Recipe Credit: Wikipedia / German culinary sources on Hochzeitssuppe (Wikipedia)
   💡 Tip: Chill the egg custard thoroughly before cutting into cubes—this keeps edges clean and firm in the soup.

👉 For reference: Hochzeitssuppe (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)

🍲 7. Quick German Chicken Soup (Weeknight Version)

Flavor Summary: A speedier twist on classic German chicken soup—streamlined steps, fewer ingredients, yet still flavorful. Ideal when time is tight.
Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Use bone-in chicken parts (legs or thighs) and sauté aromatics in one pot.
2. Add water or broth and simmer until chicken is cooked.
3. Remove meat and shred, return to pot.
4. Add diced vegetables and small egg noodles; cook until tender.
5. Season and garnish with herbs.
   Time: ~45–60 minutes
   Tags: Weeknight-Friendly, Simple, Comfort
   Recipe Credit: EasyGermanFood (German Style Chicken Soup) (easygermanfood.com)
   💡 Tip: Use pre-cut vegetables and small pasta shapes to reduce chopping and overall cooking time.

👉 Check full recipe: German Style Chicken Soup – Easy German Food (easygermanfood.com)

More Recipe Details

Each of the seven German chicken soup recipes above highlights a different side of this comfort food. Some are rich and festive, like Hochzeitssuppe, while others are quick and light, like the weeknight version. You’ll notice many recipes use the classic German “Suppengrün” vegetable base (carrots, leek, celery root, parsley root) for depth of flavor.

If you’re short on time, try the Quick German Chicken Soup—it’s ready in under an hour. For gatherings or when you want something special, the Wedding Soup (Hochzeitssuppe) makes a beautiful centerpiece. And if you love noodles or dumplings, you can easily switch between spaetzle, semolina dumplings, or egg noodles.

The best part? All these recipes adapt well to your kitchen. Use what you have, make substitutions, and adjust seasoning to taste.

History or Origin of the Dish

German chicken soup, or Hühnersuppe, has deep roots in Central Europe. Traditionally, it was considered both a comforting meal and a remedy—often made when someone in the family was sick. The slow-simmered broth, vegetables, and tender chicken made it nourishing and restorative.

Regional variations gave the soup unique touches. In Southern Germany, you’ll often find spaetzle or semolina dumplings. In Northern Germany, the broth is served very clear with fine noodles. Special occasions, like weddings, inspired Hochzeitssuppe, which added egg custard cubes and tiny meatballs.

Today, these soups remain beloved for their warmth, simplicity, and flexibility—just as welcome on a busy weeknight as at a holiday table.

Tools & Equipment Needed

You don’t need fancy tools—just a few basics:

• Large stockpot or Dutch oven
• Ladle and skimmer (to keep broth clear)
• Fine mesh strainer or sieve
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Medium pot (if cooking noodles or spaetzle separately)
• Mixing bowl and whisk (for dumplings or custard)
• Soup bowls and serving spoons

FAQ Section

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?
Yes, but using bone-in cuts (like thighs or a whole chicken) gives the broth more flavor and richness.

2. How do I keep the broth clear?
Simmer gently without boiling, skim off foam as it rises, and strain before serving.

3. Can I freeze German chicken soup?
Yes. Freeze without noodles or dumplings for best texture, then add them fresh when reheating.

4. What noodles work best?
Thin egg noodles or “Suppennudeln” are traditional, but spaetzle or semolina dumplings are also authentic.

5. How long does the soup last in the fridge?
Up to 3–4 days in a sealed container. Reheat gently to preserve flavor.

6. Is there a vegetarian version?
Yes. Use vegetable broth and swap chicken with mushrooms or plant-based protein.

7. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Cook chicken and vegetables low and slow for 6–8 hours, then add noodles or dumplings at the end.

Conclusion

German chicken soup is more than just a meal—it’s comfort in a bowl. From quick weeknight options to traditional family recipes, these seven soups show how versatile and heartwarming this dish can be.

Whether you’re looking for a nourishing broth, dumplings for extra comfort, or a special soup for a family gathering, there’s a version here for you. Try one tonight, save a recipe for later, and share the joy of German comfort food with your loved ones.