Vegetable Couscous Chicken Soup

Vegetable Couscous Chicken Soup – A Nourishing One-Pot Meal for All Ages

Vegetable Couscous Chicken Soup is a recipe that has been passed down from my great grandparents, to my mom and now to me. It’s the ultimate, warm, healthy dinner recipe that we come back to again and again. Not only soothing and providing health to your body, but literally feels like a warm hug. This recipe is perfect for babies as young as 6 months, busy toddlers, growing kids, parents, and even grandparents. It’s a rare dish that truly works for all generations around the table.

This soup begins with chicken on the bone with skin, simmered in water seasoned with turmeric, salt, and pepper. That slow simmer extracts flavor, minerals, and natural collagen, forming a base that’s deeply soothing and full of goodness. Then comes an array of nutrient-rich vegetables—onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, sweet potato, and kabocha squash—which break down into the broth, adding sweetness, depth, and color. Served over a scoop of soft couscous, it becomes a complete and satisfying meal in every bite.

Why Vegetable Couscous Chicken Soup?

• A one-pot recipe that serves babies, toddlers, kids, and adults alike.

• Comforting, wholesome, and naturally full of immune-boosting ingredients.

• Ideal for batch cooking, easy to store and reheat.

• Perfect first family dinner for baby-led weaning (BLW).

• Flavorful, easy to digest, gentle enough for sensitive tummies.

Nutritional Benefits:

• Chicken with bones and skin: Provides iron, zinc, protein, and collagen which supports skin, gut, and joint health.

• Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich spice, perfect for immune support.

• Carrots & sweet potatoes: High in beta-carotene (vitamin A), important for eye and immune health.

• Zucchini, celery, onion: Add fiber and important minerals like potassium and folate.

• Kabocha squash: Full of vitamins C and A, and adds a natural sweetness to the broth.

• Couscous: A gentle grain that soaks up the broth and provides quick energy through complex carbohydrates.

Together, these ingredients offer a balance of protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals essential for babies’ growth and development, and equally beneficial for adults.

Serving Suggestions by Age:

• 6–9 months: Finely shred chicken and mash vegetables; you can omit the couscous and blend the veggies, broth and chicken into a delicious puree.

• 9–12 months: Mash veggies with bite-sized pieces of chicken over the couscous and a little broth on top.

• Toddlers: Serve slightly chunkier with broth and a dollop of couscous

• Adults: Add chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or even chili flakes for a more elevated bowl.

Substitutions:

• Chicken: Use either chicken thigh, drumsticks, or both. Best to use bone-in and skin on for maximum nutrition and flavor.

• Couscous: Can be swapped for orzo, small pasta or rice if preferred.

• Vegetables: Do not substitute the onion, carrots and celery in this recipe. It is needed for the base flavor of the soup.

• Kabocha squash: Substitute with butternut squash, acorn squash or pumpkin if kabocha isn’t available.

• Sweet potato: White potatoes or turnips can also be used for a similar texture.

What You Need:

Large Soup Pot 

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some more healthy dinner recipes you should check out:

Tender Chuck Roast & Green Beans

Healing Chicken & Rice Soup

Kid-Friendly Minestrone Soup

Chicken Sweet Potato Dinner