How Much Protein is in Chicken Soup?
Chicken soup is a staple meal for many people around the world, and for good reason. It’s nutritious, comforting, and easily digested. But for individuals looking to increase their protein intake, the big question is: how much protein is in chicken soup? In this article, we’ll dive into the answers and explore the variable levels of protein found in chicken soup.
Straight Answer: How Much Protein is in Chicken Soup?
The amount of protein in chicken soup can vary significantly depending on the cooking method, ingredients, and quantity used. On average, a cup of chicken broth can contain around 14-20 grams of protein. However, to provide a more accurate estimation, let’s break it down further.
Factor A: Cooking Method
When it comes to the protein content of chicken soup, the cooking method used plays a significant role:
| Cooking Method | Total Protein (g) / cup |
|---|---|
| Boiling/Steaming | 10-15 g/cup |
| Saucepans/Stewing | 12-18 g/cup |
| Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker | 15-22 g/cup |
| Slow Cooker/Stovetop Combination | 14-21 g/cup |
From this table, it becomes evident that the cooking method employed can significantly impact the amount of protein in the finished soup.
Factor B: Ingredients
A list of ingredients can increase the overall protein content of chicken soup:
| Ingredient | Estimated Protein Content (g / serving) |
|---|---|
| Breast, boneless, lean chicken | 3 g/cup |
| Leg, boneless, lean chicken | 6 g/cup |
| Chicken wings, removed and chopped | 15 g/cup |
| Carrots, sticks and chopped | 5 g/cup |
| Celery, finely chopped | 4 g/cup |
| Chicken broth, low-fat (1 cup) | 6 g/cup |
| Egg noodle, cooked (dry 1 cup) | 1 g/cup |
| Rice, boiled white (1 cup, uncooked) | 6 g/cup |
| Vegetables’ leaves (e.g. onion, bell pepper), diced | 2.5 g/cup |
| Tomato, core, chopped | 11.5 g/cup |
As you’ll see, using chicken broth made from lean chicken thighs (6 g/cup), chicken wings (15 g/cup), carrot and celery sticks (15.5 g/cup) can significantly boost protein content.
Factor C: Quantity
The quantities used can also impact overall protein content:
| Item Quantity | Total Protein Content (g) |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast, 12 ounces (340g), shredded | 36.9 g |
| Whole chicken, 18-20 pounds (approx.) | 90 -120 g |
| Lean chicken thighs, bones-in, 4 lb 8 oz (total yield: 1 g/kg) | 8 kg |
To generate this amount of protein per cup, you would have to use 4 cup or more of chicken
In Conclusion
Diversifying your ingredients by combining lean chicken, carrot sticks, celery, diced leaves, and low-sodium chicken broth can further boost protein content and average to 36 g/cup, using a slow cooker in 20-25 cooking times. Additionally for maximum retention of nutrients, as shown earlier, using fresh meat, bones, joints or even fish bones within recipe will provide both quality and quantity of valuable ingredients.