What is your favorite go-to meal when you’re not feeling well? If you’re like me, then it has to be a warm bowl of chicken soup. Of course, I had to create my own version of this comforting classic, and so that’s how I came to develop this recipe for air fryer chicken soup.
In fairness, you probably don’t immediately think of your air fryer when it comes to making soup, and I don’t blame you! But let me tell you, it’s amazing!
Why? Well, the air fryer is perfect for softening and caramelizing your vegetables, meats, and more. There’s no tedious stirring on the stove, no lengthy time roasting in the oven, and no waiting forever for your slow cooker.
You just cook everything up perfectly, toss it in with your broth, and voila – a delicious bowl of soup. Of course, you can add noodles as well to make chicken noodle soup, and I’ll get into more on how to achieve that later.
Ingredients List
½ small white or yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 large chicken breast (or 6 tenders), diced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
½ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp poultry seasoning
½ Tbsp chicken bouillon powder
2 cups unsalted chicken or vegetable stock or broth
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
The amount of vegetables is adjustable to taste. You may also add 2 ribs of diced celery if you like (it’s just my personal preference to omit it), or other veggies as desired (note that potatoes take longer to cook, if you add those, cook them for about 10 minutes before adding the other ingredients to soften them)
All seasonings are adjustable and swappable. Other great options include thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning
Instead of raw chicken, you can use about 1 ½ cups of cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken instead. Just add it in the last 3 minutes of cooking instead to reheat it
You can add more stock if you like a more brothy recipe. I’ve added up to 3 cups without needing to adjust the seasoning level. I also recommend heating the broth in the microwave for a minute or on the stove until hot before adding the air fryer ingredients, resulting in a warmer soup
Chicken Noodle Variation
It’s entirely possible to make this into chicken noodle soup if preferred (but it will no longer be low carb). You want about 1 cup of egg noodles – I use medium width, but wide is fine as well. Note cooking times may vary slightly with wider noodles.
There are 3 ways to prepare your noodles based on your available equipment:
Stovetop. Boil noodles in salted water in a pot on the stovetop for 7-8 minutes, then drain
Microwave. Cover noodles with water in a tall, microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 7-10 minutes, until noodles are tender, then drain
Air Fryer. You’ll need a cake pan, casserole dish, or similar oven-safe vessel that fits in your air fryer basket. Cover the noodles in the dish completely with water or stock and cook on the air fry setting for 20 minutes at 375°F, stopping halfway to stir, until tender (then drain if you used water)
The air fryer ironically isn’t my choice for boiling noodles, as it actually takes longer than other methods. It works well in an application like my Air Fryer Tuna Casserole, but soup is a little bit different.
However, assuming you have space, you can always throw the rest of the soup ingredients and stock in with the noodles and cook it that way, which heats everything else up together.
I still prefer to just boil my noodles on the stove and throw them in at the end. In fact, you can do this ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator in a bowl and just add them when you’re ready to serve, which keeps your noodles from getting soggy!
Step By Step Preparation
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your specific air fryer has)
In a bowl toss the cubed chicken breast, diced carrots, and diced onions with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, poultry seasoning, and bouillon powder until evenly coated
Spread the chicken and vegetables into an even layer in the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes, pausing halfway through to shake the basket, until veggies are browned and the chicken reaches 165°F in the center
Add the cooked vegetables and chicken to the chicken stock. For a warmer soup, microwave the stock or heat it on the stove while the chicken and veggies are cooking
Try air fryer chicken soup with my Cranberry Vodka Lemonade, or if you’re feeling really bold, how about a Chicken Soup Martini?
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for Air Fryer Chicken Soup?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken for air fryer chicken soup. However, it’s recommended to thaw the chicken first for even cooking.
Thawing also allows you to cut and season the chicken more effectively before air frying, which enhances the overall flavor of the soup.
How Do I Store Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Soup?
To store leftover air fryer chicken soup, allow it to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You may also freeze the soup for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing without noodles, as they will become mushy after defrosting.
Can I Make a Vegetarian Version of This Soup in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can create a vegetarian version of chicken soup in the air fryer by using plant-based protein sources like tofu or tempeh instead of chicken, and using vegetable bouillon in place of the chicken.
Additionally, use vegetable broth and use a variety of vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes to make a delicious, filling soup.
Can You Put Soup in an Air Fryer?
You should not put liquid soup directly into an air fryer; it must be added to an oven safe bowl of some kind. However, you can put soup components like vegetables, meats, and even cheeses in your air fryer to cook and caramelize them before adding them to liquids.
Air fryers are designed for cooking with hot, circulating air, and they do not handle liquids well unless they are contained.
Can You Put Raw Chicken in Chicken Soup to Cook?
Yes, whether you are cooking in the air fryer or another method, you can put raw chicken in to cook for chicken soup. However, it is essential to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.
Cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of chicken pieces used, so use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Recipe Pro Tips
This recipe will produce cooked but still crisp vegetables. If you prefer softer vegetables, cook them for 5-10 minutes before adding the chicken to soften them more without overcooking your chicken
It’s normal for some of the smaller veggie dices to fall through the grate in an air fryer basket. You can just scrape everything out on top, then remove the basket and retrieve the lost bits from below
I made this recipe in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to prevent overcrowding (or you can adjust the recipe down)
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover chicken soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. I do not recommend freezing if you’ve added noodles, as they’ll get mushy
To reheat your soup, place a portion in an oven safe bowl and air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through. You may also microwave for about 1 minute on high. Make sure to stir halfway through in either case for best results and even heating
I love making chicken soup in the air fryer. It’s less tedious than the stove, and faster than the oven or crock pot. You get beautifully caramelized vegetables and meat, making for a delicious soup.
Usually, I just roast everything up and then throw it into warmed broth to complete the soup. Of course, if you have an instant pot or paddle style air fryer, you can do the broth with the rest. It’s so easily adaptable!
You can get creative with adding noodles or some other side dishes to really round out the meal – your choice!
There’s no wrong way to enjoy a spoonful of comfort, and the air fryer is a surprisingly great way to deliver deliciousness. If you want to check out even more great options, see my compilation of the best Air Fryer Soup Recipes for more inspiration!
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Soup
This easy air fryer chicken soup roasts your chicken and vegetables perfectly. It’s low carb as written, but noodles can be added if desired!
1Largeboneless skinless chicken breast (or 6 tenderloins)(diced)
2Tbspolive oil
1Tspsalt(or more to taste)
½Tspblack pepper(or more to taste)
1Tspgarlic powder
1Tspdried parsley
½Tsppoultry seasoning
½Tbspchicken bouillon powder
2Cupsunsalted chicken or vegetable stock or broth
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your specific air fryer has)
In a bowl toss the cubed chicken breast, diced carrots, and diced onions with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, poultry seasoning, and bouillon powder until evenly coated
½ Small white or yellow onion, 3 Medium carrots, 1 Large boneless skinless chicken breast (or 6 tenderloins), 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp garlic powder, 1 Tsp dried parsley, ½ Tsp poultry seasoning, ½ Tbsp chicken bouillon powder
Spread the chicken and vegetables into an even layer in the preheated air fryer basket
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes, pausing halfway through to shake the basket, until veggies are browned and the chicken reaches 165°F in the center
Add the cooked vegetables and chicken to the chicken stock. Tip: To ensure a warm soup, microwave the stock or heat it on the stove while the chicken and veggies are cooking
2 Cups unsalted chicken or vegetable stock or broth
Serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
You may also add 2 ribs of diced celery if you like (it’s just my personal preference to omit it)
All seasonings are adjustable and swappable. Other great options include thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning
Instead of raw chicken, you can use about 1 ½ cups of cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken instead. Just add it in the last 3 minutes of cooking instead to reheat it
You can add more stock if you like a more brothy recipe. I’ve added up to 3 cups without needing to adjust the seasoning level
This recipe will produce cooked but still crisp vegetables. If you prefer softer vegetables, cook them for 5-10 minutes before adding the chicken to soften them more without overcooking your chicken
It’s normal for some of the smaller veggie dices to fall through the grate in an air fryer basket. You can just scrape everything out on top, then remove the basket and retrieve the lost bits from below
I made this recipe in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to prevent overcrowding (or you can adjust the recipe down)
Store leftover chicken soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. I do not recommend freezing if you’ve added noodles, as they’ll get mushy
To reheat your soup, place a portion in an oven safe bowl and air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through. You may also microwave for about 1 minute on high. Make sure to stir halfway through in either case for best results and even heating
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps or adjustments, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
