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

People love chicken soup, it’s one of the best comfort foods out there. Having a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup by your side is so comforting and satisfying. So where can you find the best chicken soup? This guide will show you where to buy tasty, cheap chicken soup, whether you’re trying to get rid of a cold or just want a bowl of healthy 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 Ingredients: The soup aisle has pastas, noodles, vegetables, seasonings, and more to craft your own soup.

• Meat Department Chicken: You can make your own stock by simmering rotisserie or raw chicken from the meat department.

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

When shopping for soup at the store, look at the nutrition facts and prices of different brands to find the best ones for your budget and diet. Store brand or generic soups can save you a lot of money. Name brand soups are easier to find.

Meal Delivery Services

Meal delivery kits and prepared meal services have exploded in popularity in recent years. Many of these companies offer delicious chicken soup options that can be delivered straight to your door.

• 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: Chicken soup is a staple at spots like Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, and Denny’s.

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

The convenience of getting chicken soup from a restaurant comes at a premium price. Opt for cup sizes rather than bowls to save money if dining out for soup.

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!