Prepare all ingredients and vegetables before cooking.
Cook the onion until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the chicken and seasonings, then cook until the chicken is lightly browned.
Pour in the chicken broth and add the remaining recipe ingredients.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken and vegetables are tender.
Remove the chicken if whole, shred it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.
Add the final ingredients such as pasta, rice, spinach, or cream at the appropriate stage and cook until tender.
Taste the soup and adjust salt and black pepper to your preference.
Let the soup rest briefly so the flavors come together.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with the suggested toppings or bread.