Where to Buy Chicken Soup: A Guide to Finding Delicious, Affordable Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is one of the most popular comfort foods out there. There’s just something so soothing and satisfying about curling up with a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. But where can you find the best chicken soup options? This guide will walk you through the top places to buy delicious, affordable chicken soup whether you’re hoping to cure a cold or just craving a bowl of wholesome comfort.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

One of the easiest places to find chicken soup is at your local grocery store or supermarket. Most stores have a wide selection of prepared chicken soups, broths, and ingredients to make homemade chicken soup. Here are some things to look for:

• Canned Soups: Canned soups like Campbell’s Chicken Noodle are shelf-stable classics. Opt for low-sodium options.

• Broths: Chicken broth is the base for many soups. Swanson and Kitchen Basics make quality broths.

• Soup Aisle: You can make your own soup with pasta, noodles, vegetables, seasonings, and other things you can find in the soup aisle.

• Meat Department Chicken: Rotisserie or raw chicken from the meat department can be simmered into homemade stock.

• Frozen Soups: Companies like Amy’s Kitchen offer organic frozen chicken soups.

When shopping the soup aisle of your grocery store, compare nutrition labels and prices to find the best options for your budget and dietary needs. Name brand canned soups are convenient, but store brand or generic labels can offer big savings

Meal Delivery Services

In the past few years, meal delivery kits and services that prepare meals have become very popular. You can get delicious chicken soup delivered right to your door from many of these companies.

• Meal Delivery Kits: Kits like HelloFresh and Home Chef provide the ingredients and recipes to make homemade chicken soups and broths.

• Prepared Meal Delivery: Services like Freshly will deliver fully prepared chicken soups and other meals weekly.

• Restaurant Delivery: Apps like DoorDash let you order chicken soup for delivery from local restaurants that offer soup.

Meal delivery takes the work out of sourcing ingredients and cooking. However, the cost per serving is higher than homemade, so compare services to find one that fits your budget.

Restaurants

From fast food to fine dining, many restaurants have chicken soup on the menu. Here are some dining spots that offer tasty chicken soup options:

• Fast Casual Chains: Places like Panera Bread, Noodles & Company, and McAlister’s Deli have classic chicken noodle and other chicken soups.

• Fast Food: Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, and Arby’s offer chicken soup varieties on their menus.

• Family-style chains: Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, and Denny’s all serve chicken soup all the time.

• Local Diners and Cafes: Many local, non-chain restaurants will have daily soup specials like homemade chicken noodle or chicken tortilla soup.

It costs more to get chicken soup from a restaurant even though it’s easier. When you eat out for soup, choose cup sizes over bowls to save money.

Specialty Soup Shops and Brands

For the chicken soup aficionado, specialty soup shops and brands offer premium soups made with high-quality, often locally-sourced ingredients.

• Local Soup Shops: Small businesses dedicated to soups often sell fresh chicken soups by the cup or pint.

• Farmers Markets: Look for vendors at local markets selling homemade chicken soups and bone broths.

• Specialty Brands: Companies like Kettle & Fire sell shelf-stable bone broths perfect for mixing your own chicken soup.

• Meal Delivery Services: Some services like Spoonful of Comfort specialize just in soups and ship nationwide.

The downside of specialty soups is the higher cost, but they may be worthwhile for a treat or if you have specific dietary needs.

Tips for Finding the Best Chicken Soup

Keep these tips in mind as you shop around for chicken soup:

• Check the ingredients list and nutrition labels when comparing products. Look for options with minimal processing and no artificial additives.

• Opt for low-sodium versions to reduce bloating and water retention, especially if eating canned soups.

• Consider making your own broth and soup from scratch using a whole chicken or chicken parts from the store. This allows you to control ingredients.

• Sample different soup options from restaurants and cafes in your area to find a local favorite. Many places put their unique twist on classic chicken noodle.

• Buy small-batch frozen soups or have soup delivered if you want to stock up and always have some on hand for busy days. Reheat as needed.

With so many places to find it these days, there’s no excuse not to have delicious, nourishing chicken soup readily available. Follow this guide to explore all the options and determine the best sources for chicken soup to satisfy your cravings, heal your soul, and warm you from the inside out. Bon appétit!