Makhani Chicken and Tomato Soup
A velvety tomato soup with shredded chicken and warm spices, tastes like butter chicken in a bowl.
Made with Makhani (butter masala) base and Homemade chicken stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.39 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Soften the onion for 6 minutes. Add the cumin and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds.
6 min 30 s - 2
Pour in your ready made makhani base (see the base recipe) and your homemade chicken stock (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the chicken breasts whole. Cover and poach gently for 15 minutes, until cooked through with no pink in the middle.
15 min - 4
Lift the chicken out and shred it with 2 forks. Blend the soup until smooth, if you like, with a hand blender.
- 5
Stir in the cream and return the shredded chicken. Heat gently for 3 minutes and season.
3 min - 6
Ladle into bowls and scatter over the coriander.
Tips
- Poach the chicken gently, not at a hard boil, for tender meat.
- Blend only the soup, then add the chicken back so it keeps its texture.
- Top with a spoonful of yoghurt and a pinch of chilli for extra bite.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 3 days in the fridge, cooled within 2 hours. Freeze for up to 2 months without the cream and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use shop bought stock?
Yes. Use a gluten free stock cube or stock pot if you need it to be gluten free. Dissolve it in 600 ml water and taste before adding salt.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Use vegetable stock and 2 tins of chickpeas instead of chicken. Check that the stock is vegetable.
Can I use cooked chicken?
Yes. Stir 250 g shredded cooked chicken in with the cream and heat for 3 minutes until steaming hot.
More made with makhani (butter masala) base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.