Soup, chicken, canned
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a clear, savory broth made from simmering chicken, often with vegetables like carrots and celery. Its texture is thin and liquid, with tender shreds of chicken and soft vegetable bits floating in the golden broth. At just 33 calories per 100g, it's a remarkably light yet flavorful way to get a protein boost.
Calorie split: 24% protein · 57% carbs · 19% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its comforting, nostalgic warmth and its incredible versatility as a base for countless other dishes. It's a universal symbol of home cooking and care across many cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Canned versions can be very high in sodium, which may concern those monitoring blood pressure. The thin consistency might not feel as satisfying as a hearty stew. To counteract, choose low-sodium varieties, dilute with water, and pair with a side of whole-grain bread or a salad to add fiber and volume.
Key benefits
- Low-calorie hydrating base
- Good source of lean protein
- Contains electrolytes like sodium
- Easy to digest
- Can help with satiety
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The phrase 'chicken soup for the soul' became popular not just as a metaphor, but because research has shown compounds in chicken soup can have mild anti-inflammatory effects that may help with cold symptoms.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 91.4 g |
| Energy | 33.0 kcal |
| Protein | 2.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.72 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.16 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 30.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 161 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 266 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.19 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.77 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 8.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.02 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 48.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 473 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 182 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 303 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 43.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.15 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.26 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.24 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 6.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Restaurant, Latino, black bean soup — USDA does not publish this profile for Soup.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.17 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.16 g |
| Leucine | 0.32 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.16 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.13 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.35 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.35 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.38 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.72 g |
| Glycine | 0.58 g |
| Proline | 0.36 g |
| Serine | 0.20 g |
FAQ
Is canned chicken soup healthy?
It can be part of a healthy diet, especially low-sodium versions. It's low in calories and provides protein, but check labels for added sugars and high sodium content.
How long does canned chicken soup last after opening?
Once opened, transfer it to a covered container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
Can I use canned chicken soup as a cooking ingredient?
Absolutely! It's a fantastic shortcut for making sauces, gravies, rice dishes, or casseroles, adding instant flavor and moisture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.33 kcal/g · 24% calories from protein · 0.9 g fiber · 1.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.65 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.