Butternut squash soup with chicken is a one-pot recipe packed with lean protein, savory Italian sausage, tender butternut squash, kale, and white beans for a healthy meal.
Butternut squash soup is a comforting fall recipe. The balance of protein from lean chicken and sausage, with tender squash, fiber-rich beans and plenty of leafy green kale makes this a complete meal.
I started making this hearty soup a few years ago after my son James was born. I was in need of an easy to prepare and nourishing meal after long nights with our newborn and the grueling days back at the office. To maximize my time, a big pot of chicken butternut squash soup was the answer. This recipe makes plenty of leftovers for the next day too.
When fall and winter vegetables are in season, butternut squash is a perfect addition to the soup. In California we have squash available year-round, so the opportunity to make this recipe is not limited.
How to cook butternut squash soup
- Preparing: Butternut squash is from the species C. moschata. It has a thick hard outer skin, with vitamin and mineral-rich orange flesh and seeds. The most challenging thing about cooking with this pear-shaped vegetable is peeling and cutting the butternut squash. I start by cutting off both ends. Then cut off the skinny part of the neck, followed by a cut through the center of the widest part to reveal the seeds. Many people roast the seeds and eat them. Once the seeds are removed, a vegetable peeler or chef’s knife is used to remove the tough skin. From there just chop into smaller cubes.
- Cooking: The squash can be steamed, roasted, sautéed or simmered. For this recipe, the squash is sautéed first to promote new flavor and colors through the Maillard browning reaction, and then submerged and simmered in broth to tenderize the vegetables.
Tender and moist pieces of poached shredded chicken add extra protein to the soup. A generous amount of chopped kale adds nutrients and fiber. The firm leafy texture becomes softens when simmered in the soup. A few pieces of Italian sausage add a nice savory and spiced flavor to the soup base, making each bowl even more enticing.
For a creamier soup, I take a portion of the cannelloni beans and butternut squash then purée them together in my Vitamix blender. This additional step thickens the soup, so it feels more filling.
Butternut squash soup with chicken and veggies makes for a comforting meal after a long day. It soothes you from the inside like a hug, making you feel all warm and cozy. The soup tastes even better the next day. I’ll be packing some for lunch! If you are looking for more quick and healthy butternut squash recipes, try my maple roasted butternut squash tacos or rustic Italian butternut squash soup.
What is the Poaching method for cooking chicken?
Poaching is a very gentle wet cooking method that slowly cooks a protein like chicken at low temperatures (170 to 180°F). The chicken is submerged with at least 1-inch of water, heated to barely a simmer, and cook until the center of the breast reaches 160°F. Poaching allows the chicken to be cooked through while still keeping the meat moist and tender. This method works well for leaner and more tender cuts of meat or fish that do not have tougher connective tissue. The cooking liquid can be flavored with stock, herbs, and seasoning if desired to infuse more flavors.
Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ cup yellow onion, ¼-inch dice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 fresh Italian sausage
- 3 cups butternut squash, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 6 sprigs thyme
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, more as needed
- 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 15 ounces cannellini beans, canned
- 4 cups kale, ribs removed, cut into ½-inch strips
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large pot and add enough water to cover by 1-inch.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat where bubbles start forming around the edge of the pot. Reduce to medium-low to keep the temperature constant, about 170 to 180°F.
- Cook until chicken is cooked, 160°F on an instant-read thermometer, 15 to 18 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a heatproof bowl and strain the liquid over the chicken and let the chicken breasts cool. Once cool, shred chicken and reserve. Meanwhile, clean the pot and make the soup.
- In the same large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions, stirring and cooking until onions are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add sausage and break into smaller pieces while cooking until no longer pink, 4 minutes. Add cubed butternut squash to the pot, stir, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and chicken stock to the pot. Bring liquid to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook until butternut squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the rosemary and thyme from the pot and discard. Add cannellini beans, shredded chicken and kale to the pot, stir to combine and cook until kale is tender and bright green, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Taste soup, season with more salt and pepper as desired.
Recipe Video
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Lynn c says
This soup was amazing! The herbs that were used so well and brought out the flavor of everything else in it. I doubled the recipe because our butternut squash was a bit bigger and we are definitely looking forward to the leftovers! It is going to be a favorite in a definite do over in our home!
John C. Todd, Jr. says
I adapted this recipe to use leftover pureéd butternut squash soup.There were no leftovers.
Holly Downing says
This recipe is most definitely a total winner! It reminds me of another favorite of our household, white bean chicken chili. If you like that, just envision squash instead of tomatoes and rosemary/thyme instead of chilis. Directionally challenged, this recipe really was easy (logical) to follow, easy to modify. I had just the day before roasted a butternut squash, so it only only needed to be cubed and added. My better half does not care for kale, so I just threw a leaf in at the end and removed it when I removed the rosemary and thyme. Thank you, Jessica Gavin.
Jessica Gavin says
Great job Holly! You are rocking the soups and chilies! And you are very sweet to your husband 🙂
Nicole says
Made this tonight, and it was delicious with robust flavor!
Family loved it, thanks for sharing!
Chris says
I LOVED THIS SOUP! Hearty, healthy and filling. I didn’t have the sausage on hand and will make sure to add the next time. I will definitely make this soup again!
Dori says
Am looking forward to asking this for dinner this week! Couple of questions;
1) I don’t plan to use sausage as my daughter is vegetarian and I don’t eat pork…I’ll add the chicken later after I separate her portion out. Anyhow…all that leads me to my question: Can I use an immersion blender in the squash and bean mixture to get that creamier texture? And then add the kale? Thank you!
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can puree some of the squash and bean to make the soup creamier.
Terry says
Really liked your poaching instructions Jessica. I used your method and the chicken turned out great. However, I’m confused by something. What’s the reason for pouring the poaching liquid over the chicken while it cools? Wouldn’t the chicken cool faster if it wasn’t immersed in the hot poaching liquid?
Jessica Gavin says
Great question! It helps keep the chicken moist, the poaching liquid isn’t too hot so it will cool relatively quick.
Janet says
Thank you Jessica. The Butternut squash Soup with chicken is so very good. Made it yesterday and going to try the other one with mushrooms. Delicious.
Susan says
This soup was a hit! My husband said that it was possibly the best soup he has ever had. I made a double batch so we could share with another family with multiple dietary restrictions…everyone loved it.
Question: the poaching water that was strained over the poached chicken…it’s added to the soup when the shredded chicken is added? How much should there be?
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you for your feedback, Susan! The strained poaching water is just to keep the chicken from drying out, so you don’t add it to the recipe.
Aimee Robinson says
I love this recipe! I got a bumper crop of squash out of just two plants this past summer and it’s the best way I have found (so far) to use this lovely vegetable. Thank you for this most wonderful soup! So good!
Jeanette says
Would this freeze well?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Jeanette! Yes I think this would freeze well. Just allow the soup to cool and then add to individual containers or freezer bags.
Kaylene @ The Links Site says
I love any soup with butternut squash in it, I haven’t tried it with chicken yet though – can’t wait! It’s summer here in australia so I will be saving this recipe for autumn or a cool summer night!
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Kaylene! You will love the soup with chicken, makes it a little more filling and hearty. I might try adding some sausage next! Enjoy the summer in australia!
DAhn says
Bummer that maternity leave is over. All good things come to an end 🙁 sorry. better have some soup 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Dahn! Yes, chicken soup will definitely soothe the soul 🙂