Scottish cock-a-leekie soup is a staple in most Scottish homes. This is an easier quicker version than the traditional recipe taking less than an hour to make!
Folks, if like me you're always short on time but still want to enjoy the best traditional Scottish soup recipes then this Scottish cock-a-leekie soup is for you.
This delicious chicken and leek soup is cheap to make and only takes 15 minutes to prep the vegetables. Then 30 minutes to cook.
Recipes like this and my easy Scottish lentil soup always featured at meal times when I was growing up.
This chicken soup recipe is said to date back to the 16th century and possibly even came from France.
Usually the traditional recipe uses a whole chicken which can take a couple of hours to boil to create the chicken and stock base.
However, in my easier version we'll just use a chicken breast and plenty of good quality chicken stock.
Oh and we won't be adding prunes either. I can't remember my family recipe ever containing prunes!
However, I know some variations of traditional Scottish cock-a-leekie soup do, so please feel free to add them if you want to!
This cock-a-leekie soup is low in calories at just 191 calories per serving.
It's also extremely low in fat, a great protein source and provides 74% of your daily vitamin A needs.
This is the perfect comfort food for winter months just packed with flavour.
You can also easily adapt this delicious soup and add potatoes instead of rice.
Or if you have leftover chicken meat use that instead of cooking the chicken breast.
Although we mostly enjoy this recipe for lunch it is extremely filling and can also be served for dinner with some homemade crusty bread.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Stock
- Leeks
- Basmati Rice
- Grated Carrot
- Freshly Ground Salt And Black Pepper
- Chopped Fresh Parsley (optional for garnish)
See recipe card for quantities.
Step By Step Instructions
Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this Scottish cock-a-leekie soup recipe:
Step 1
- Cook chicken breast in a large soup pot with the stock. Remove cooked chicken breast and set aside.
Step 2
- Add leeks and rice to the hot stock.
Step 3
- Meanwhile shred the chicken breast.
Step 4
- Add grated carrot to cooked leeks and rice.
Step 5
- Stir in the shredded chicken and season to taste.
Step 6
- Serve soup garnished with the chopped parsley.
Substitutions
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts - you could use chicken legs or chicken thighs instead.
- Chicken Stock - homemade chicken broth / stock is best. But good quality stock cubes are fine.
- Leeks
- Basmati Rice - leave out if you want. Or substitute with noodles or potatoes.
- Grated Carrot
- Freshly Ground Salt And Black Pepper
- Chopped Fresh Parsley (optional for garnish)
Equipment
For This Cock-a-Leekie Soup Recipe You May Need….
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
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This is the set of pans I recommend for cooking with.
The set includes 16, 18, 20 cm saucepans, 1 x 14 cm milk pan and 1 x 24 cm fry pan.
The pans are suitable for all hobs including induction.
They come with a 1-year guarantee which can be extended to a 10-year warranty when you register the product.
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FAQ's
How To Store Cock-a-Leekie Soup?
The soup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for 3 - 4 days maximum.
Can I Freeze Cock-A-Leekie Soup?
Yes the soup can be transferred to an airtight container and frozen.
How To Reheat This Chicken Soup?
Allow soup to thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Scottish Soup Recipes For You To Try
📋 Scottish Cock-a-Leekie Soup Recipe
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 350 g Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 2 L Chicken Stock
- 250 g Leeks shredded
- 50 g Basmati Rice
- 150 g Grated Carrot
- Freshly Ground Salt and Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Freshly Chopped Parsley
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in the chicken stock, bring to the boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through but not rubbery. Remove chicken and place to the side to cool a little.
- Add leeks and rice to the hot stock and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile shred the chicken breast.
- Once leeks and rice are cooked stir in the grated carrot and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the shredded chicken and season to taste.
- Serve the soup in bowls garnished with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this Scottish Cock-a-Leekie soup recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
angiesrecipes
I could easily make this as the main with some homemade sourdough 🙂 So comforting and warming!
angiesrecipes
Neil
It would be amazing with some homemade sourdough. Thanks Angie!
2pots2cook
Perfect comforting healthy soup for colder season! Love it!
Neil
Thank you! I'll have to make lots more of this soup if the weather carries on as dismal as it is! 🙂
Karen
First time I've made cock a leekie soup and this recipe was delicious and so easy to make. I used to always buy this for my lunch so happy to be able to make it. I doubled up quantities and made a massive pot. Prior to this your lentil soup had been my favourite. Thank you.
Neil
Thanks Karen! So glad you enjoyed my cock-a-leekie soup and that you found it both delicious and easy to make, that's what I try to aim for. 🙂 The lentil one is probably the most popular soup recipe on the site after the leek and potato one. If you haven't yet tried the Scottish leek and potato one, I'm sure you'd love that too!
Charlie DeSando
Love the name of the soup and the recipe.
Well done, Neil
Neil
Thanks Charlie. 🙂
sherry M
this looks good neil. Hubby doesn't like leeks tho i guess i could use other allium type veges. The rice would give the soup a nice texture too.
Neil
It is good Sherry, thanks. A favourite family recipe. I think if you husband doesn't like leeks you could try white cabbage instead. Although you really don't taste the texture of the leeks once they're cooked.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
I've never heard this (somewhat funny) name, but the soup is seriously delicious - that's my type of comfort food for cold and gloomy parts of the year. Great flavours. And prunes? I'm intrigued! While you skipped them, I should give it a try! 🙂
Neil
Thanks Ben. Yeah the name comes from an old Scottish recipe with French also in it for the "chicken" part! Feel free to add prunes. That's not my thing at all! Ha ha!