Recipe for Lentil Bean Soup: One-Pot
Sautéed carrots, celery and onion form the base first, and the lentils and beans only join the pot once that base has softened.
sautéed vegetable base
Lentil, Chickpea and Chicken Noodle Soup Recipes
Curated by Natalie HarperUpdated November 10, 2026
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Soup is the dinner you can start before lunch and then forget about until the kitchen starts to smell ready. This collection covers four easy homemade soups: a slow cooker lentil pot, a smoky chickpea stew, a quick chicken noodle soup and a one-pot lentil bean soup. Each one suits a different evening.
If you want a healthy soup that runs on pantry staples, the pulse-based pots here are a good place to start. Dried lentils and canned chickpeas cost little, keep for months, and turn into a thick bowl with almost no fuss.
Red and brown lentils soften within half an hour on the stove, while the slow cooker version gives them a full day to break down.
Winter pulls most of us toward soup, and the chicken noodle pot is usually the first one to disappear at the table.
What Makes a Good Soup Recipe?
A good soup starts with a base of softened onion, carrot and celery, cooked slowly in fat until the kitchen smells sweet. Liquid and the main ingredient go in next, and most of the rest is timing.
Lentils and chickpeas do most of the thickening work in this collection. Red and brown lentils break down as they cook and release starch, so the broth turns cloudy and full-bodied. Chickpeas hold their shape and add bite instead.
The recipes here lean on pulses and one chicken noodle pot, so expect pantry-friendly dinners with plenty of substance.
How to Choose the Best Soup Recipe
Start with how much time you have. The slow cooker lentil soup suits a day when you're out and want dinner ready when you walk in. The one-pot lentil bean soup and the chicken noodle soup fit an evening that starts around six.
For a meatless dinner, the garbanzo bean soup is the one to pick. It skips cream and gets its smoky flavor from the seasoning, so it works well for vegetarian guests. The chicken noodle pot needs cooked chicken, which is why a rotisserie bird makes the job easier.
Cooking for a crowd? The slow cooker version scales up without much extra work. Lentil soups also tend to thicken as they sit, so add a splash of water when you reheat.
Hearty Winter Soup Recipes
Lentils, beans and root vegetables hold up over a long simmer, which is why they show up so often in winter pots. Both picks here make a filling bowl without meat. The one-pot version builds its flavor in a single pan, while the slow cooker lentil soup cooks through the afternoon without needing a stir.
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Slow Cooker Lentil Soup: Rich and Hearty
Lentils and vegetables sit in the slow cooker most of the day, so the work happens while you're busy elsewhere.
slow cooker, six servings
Vegetarian Soup Recipes with Lentils and Chickpeas
Both of these get their body from legumes rather than meat, so the broth stays thick without any cream. Their textures differ, though. The lentil pot turns soft and almost spoonable, while the garbanzo bean soup keeps distinct chickpeas in every spoonful. Check the stock label before serving strict vegetarians.
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Smoky Garbanzo Bean Soup: Velvety and Rich
Smoky seasoning and a cream-free broth separate this chickpea pot from the lentil soups, which suits anyone cooking meatless.
smoky, cream-free
Easy Homemade Soup Recipes for Weeknights
The chicken noodle and garbanzo bean soups both finish in under an hour, which matters on a school night. The chicken version skips the poaching step by using a store-bought rotisserie bird. The chickpea pot is a stovetop option that doesn't need any meat at all.
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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: Low-Sodium
Rotisserie chicken does the cooking here, so your attention goes to simmering the broth and seasoning it well.
rotisserie chicken shortcut
Storage and Food Safety Tips for Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is the one recipe in this set that calls for poultry, so the internal temperature matters most. Food safety staff at the USDA set 165°F (74°C) as the safe internal temperature for poultry, and a thermometer in the thickest part of the meat is the most reliable check.
Cool leftovers promptly. The USDA's guidance treats perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours as unsafe, and only 1 hour when the room is above 90°F (32°C). Store cooled soup in the refrigerator and aim to eat it within 3 to 4 days, reheating it to 165°F (74°C).
For more background, see USDA food storage basics.
Quick Comparison
| # | Recipes | Best For | Time | Protein Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recipe for Lentil Bean Soup: One-Pot | One-pot dinners from pantry lentils and beans | 1 hr | lentils and beans |
| 2 | Slow Cooker Lentil Soup: Rich and Hearty | Busy days when you want dinner waiting | 7 hr 15 min | lentils |
| 3 | Smoky Garbanzo Bean Soup: Velvety and Rich | Cream-free vegetarian dinners | 30 min | chickpeas |
| 4 | Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: Low-Sodium | Weeknights with rotisserie chicken on hand | 40 min | rotisserie chicken |
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes well with a bowl of lentil soup?
Crusty bread and a simple green salad are the easiest pairings. A dollop of yogurt on top adds a cool contrast to the warm, earthy broth.
Can I freeze soup from this collection?
Most broth-based soups freeze well, including the lentil and chickpea pots. Chicken noodle soup is the exception, since the noodles soften and turn mushy after freezing, so cook them separately and add them when reheating.
Why does my lentil soup get too thick?
Lentils keep absorbing liquid as they sit, so the soup thickens over time. Stir in water or broth a little at a time when reheating until it reaches the consistency you like.
Is there a potato soup or ground beef soup in this collection?
No. The recipes here are based on lentils, chickpeas and chicken noodle. If you're looking for potato or ground beef soups, you'll need a different collection.
Can I make lentil soup in a slow cooker?
Yes. The slow cooker lentil recipe is designed for an all-day cook on low heat. It's a good choice when you're out for most of the day and want dinner ready when you get home.
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