Chicken Manchow Soup [Healthy One Pot Meal]

October 15, 2023

Chicken Manchow Soup [Healthy One Pot Meal]

23 Comments

Love it? Share it!

Chicken Manchow Soup is a flavorful, spicy Indian/Chinese broth soup loaded with fresh vegetables, chunks of chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, and chicken bone broth (try my homemade bone broth recipe)!

Made in one pot, chicken manchow soup is easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup.

The soup is topped with crispy fried chow mein noodles, which adds the perfect contrasting crunchy texture. I like to garnish the soup with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.

If you love spice, I suggest topping the soup with extra-thinly sliced serrano chili peppers and/or hot chili oil. 🌶️

If you love asian soups, you have to try my Tom Yum Noodle Soup and Roasted Garlic Miso Soup recipes!

Just a heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love and use (or would use) myself, and your support helps keep this site going. Thank you so much!

Chicken Manchow Soup Recipe

Two bowls of chicken Manchow Soup on a white surface.

It’s only natural to want to make soups when the summer is over, and the weather is starting to get significantly cooler and damp (as it is here in the Pacific Northwest).

I am so excited to share this new Chicken Manchow Soup recipe with you! It’s nourishing, warm, and so delicious.

The savoriness, saltiness, and brothiness cannot be beaten! You can watch me make the soup on Instagram or Facebook.

The Ingredients

Chicken manchow soup ingredients on wooden plates on a white surface.
  • Extra-virgin Olive Oil – A little bit is needed to sauté the veggies and chicken.

  • Onion – Added for flavor, of course.

  • Fresh Ginger – Used as a soup flavoring and has amazing health benefits.

  • Fresh Garlic – Because if a soup doesn’t have garlic added for flavor, then I don’t want it!

  • Serrano Chili Pepper – A little bit goes a long way. Remove the seeds for less heat.

  • Chicken Thighs – They are juicy and tender with more dark meat, giving them a richer flavor than the breast.

  • Sugar – A little sweetness is added to achieve a perfectly balanced soup!

  • Salt & Pepper – For flavor…

  • Celery – Part of the mirepoix (chopped vegetables used as the base of the soup).

  • Carrots – Also a part of the mirepoix!

  • Scallions – We’ll sauté these with the rest of the vegetables, and garnish the soup with fresh slices.

  • Mushrooms – They add a nice earthiness to the soup.

  • Green Beans – Just another delicious, nutritious veggie (they’re even a good source of protein).

  • Green Cabbage – The cabbage stays slightly crunchy yet tender because it is chopped larger than the other veggies. The texture is quite nice in this soup!

  • Soy Sauce – A brown, salty liquid that is made from fermenting soybeans. It wouldn’t be a chicken manchow soup without this flavorful condiment! You can use regular low-sodium soy sauce or buy dark soy sauce, which will darken the soup more than regular.

  • Vinegar – Acidity is an essential component of a well-balanced soup (or any recipe for that matter). I use white vinegar, but rice vinegar works too.

  • Unsalted Chicken Bone Broth – Try my easy homemade bone broth recipe!

  • Cilantro – Cilantro is used as a garnish and complements the flavors in the soup so well.

For the full recipe and instructions, scroll down to see the recipe card below. ⬇️

Watch me make my Chicken Manchow Soup here:

Homemade Chicken Bone Broth for Soup

I highly recommend making the extra effort to prepare your own homemade chicken bone broth. Especially when you’re making a broth soup, such as chicken manchow.

It’s so easy to do, it’s cost-effective, it prevents waste, it’s super healthy, and you really can’t beat the amazing taste or the way it makes your house smell!

Chicken bone broth being added to the pot of chicken manchow soup.

Our well-taken care of (spoiled) dog, Bentley, has a whole chicken butchered for him every few weeks, which is why I have so many chicken carcasses and bones on hand. I’d hate to let them go to waste, so I use them to make homemade chicken bone broth. It’s a win-win, really, because it’s expensive to buy decent-quality bone broth in the grocery store!

Here’s the recipe:

If you don’t usually buy and eat whole chickens, you can ask for them at your local butcher, grocery store, or farmers’ market! Use the bones right away or freeze them and pull some out whenever you need to make bone broth.

Is Chicken Manchow Soup Good for Health?

Chicken manchow soup is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and protein due to the wide variety of vegetables, along with the chicken and bone broth. I have listed some noteworthy health benefits below!

  • Onion – People have been using onions for medicinal purposes for centuries. Onions have been said to lower cancer risk, protect against heart disease, and more. See “6 Health Benefits of Onions“.

  • Ginger – Ginger is used in traditional and alternative medicine. It may help fight the flu and common colds, reduce nausea, aid in digestion, and more. See “11 Health Benefits of Ginger“.

  • Garlic – Garlic may lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and protect against the common cold. See “11 Proven Health benefits of Garlic“.

  • Chicken Thighs – They are rich in protein and omega-6 fatty acids (20g protein per 3 ounces), and low in carbohydrates and sugar. See “Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?”.

  • Carrots – Carrots are filled with nutrients, including beta carotene and antioxidants, that support your overall health. See “Carrots 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits“.

  • Mushrooms – Mushrooms contain antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories and may help lower cancer risk. See this article for more information.

  • Chicken Bone Broth – Rich in collagen, glycine, and high amounts of various minerals; bone broth may benefit bone health, joint health, weight management, as well as sleep and brain function. It also has anti-inflammatory properties! See “What Is Bone Broth, and What Are the Benefits?”.

What is the Meaning of Manchow Soup?

Manchow soup is a popular Chinese/Indian soup that typically consists of a flavorful, spicy broth made with ingredients like vegetables, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chicken. It’s garnished with crispy noodles and is known for its tangy and spicy taste.

The name “Manchow” is derived from the Manchurian region of China and “Chow”, which means stir-fried, reflecting its Chinese and Indian fusion origins!

Close up of chicken manchow soup in an orange bowl with brown chop sticks.
What makes Manchow soup different from other soups?

Manchow soup is a spicy, savory Indo-Chinese soup with a thickened broth, lots of finely chopped veggies, aromatics like ginger and garlic, and a tangy heat from sauces and pepper. It’s traditionally topped with crispy fried noodles for contrast.

Can I adjust the spice level?

Yes! Green chili, chili sauce, and pepper all contribute heat. Reducing or omitting some of these ingredients will make the soup milder.

How do I thicken chicken manchow soup without lumps?

A cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) is used if you want to thicken the broth. Add it slowly while stirring to avoid lumps

Why is my soup too thick or gummy?

If too much cornstarch was added, it can become overly thick. Add a little extra broth or water while simmering to loosen it to your desired consistency.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Simply replace chicken with more vegetables or tofu and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. The soup will still be hearty and flavorful.

What if I don’t have crispy noodles?

Crispy fried noodles are classic, but you can also serve the soup without them or replace them with crunchy toppings like wonton strips!

How do I store leftovers?

Cool the soup and refrigerate it in an airtight container. The soup will thicken as it cools; just loosen it with a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Can I freeze chicken manchow soup?

Yes, freeze the soup (without the crispy noodles) in a freezer-safe container for a few months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently, adding extra liquid if needed!

Healthy chicken manchow soup from www.heavenlyspiced.com: click to save to Pinterest. :

I’d love to hear about your experience with the Chicken Manchow Soup recipe! Please leave a question or recipe review, get in touch via email, and follow me on social media, which I have linked below.

You can also subscribe to the Heavenly Spiced email list to stay updated on new recipes, giveaways, life updates, and more! Hope to see you there. – Jenna 😊💌

Sign up to receive a free digital copy of my newest book!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    More Soup Recipes to Try:

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Two bowls of chicken Manchow Soup on a white surface.

    Chicken Manchow Soup.


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 10 reviews

    • Author: Jenna
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 10 cups 1x

    Description

    Chicken Manchow Soup is a broth soup loaded with fresh vegetables, chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, and chicken bone broth. It is topped with crispy fried chow mein noodles and garnished with cilantro.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 cup yellow onion, small dice
    • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled then minced
    • 2 tablespoons (4-6 cloves) fresh garlic, peeled then minced
    • 1 serrano chili pepper (or similar spicy pepper), thinly sliced
    • 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure cane sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 cup celery, small dice
    • 1/2 cup carrots, small dice
    • 1/2 cup scallions (white and green parts), sliced
    • 1/2 cup mushrooms (I use baby bellas but any will work), small dice
    • 1/2 cup green beans, small dice – same size as other veggies
    • 1/2 small head green cabbage, diced
    • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
    • 6 cups unsalted chicken bone broth (homemade is best, or use store-bought)

    GARNISH/TOPPINGS:

    Instacart Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. First, gather all the ingredients and chop/dice/mince/peel, etc. Heat a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Once heated, add in the yellow onion, ginger, garlic, and serrano and sauté for a couple of minutes, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn (keep an eye on it and turn the heat down if it starts to brown).
      Onions, ginger, serrano chile peppers, being sauteed in olive oil in a dutch oven.
    2. Add in the chicken thighs, sugar, salt, and pepper and sauté until the chicken is cooked and no longer pink.
      Diced chicken thighs, onions, ginger, and serrano chile peppers being sauteed in olive oil in a dutch oven.
    3. Add in the celery, carrots, scallions, mushrooms, green beans, and cabbage. Pour in the soy sauce and vinegar, and sauté for about 5 minutes.
      Chicken manchow soup ingredients simmering in a red dutch oven.
    4. Pour in the chicken bone broth, cover, and simmer the soup over medium/low heat for at least 20 minutes, but if you have time, an hour or more is better. This will allow the flavors to develop even more!
      All chicken manchow soup ingredients simmering in a red dutch oven.
    5. Ladle the soup into the bowls and garnish with dried chow mein noodles and cilantro, along with scallions, extra serranos, and/or hot chili oil (optional). Enjoy!
      Close up of chicken manchow soup in an orange bowl with brown chop sticks.

    Notes

    • Watch me make the soup on Instagram or Facebook!
    • Please read the entire post above for detailed information on the purpose of each ingredient, health benefits, how to make homemade chicken bone broth, and more!
    • Chicken Manchow Soup is sometimes thickened with corn starch or corn flour. I personally like the soup left as a thin broth. If you’d like to thicken the soup a bit, make a cornstarch slurry and stir it into the soup towards the end (see: How to Make a Cornstarch Slurry).
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Main Dishes, Soups
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Chinese
    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
    Love it? Share it!


    23 thoughts on “Chicken Manchow Soup [Healthy One Pot Meal]”

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star