Chicken Miso Soup Recipe with Tofu

My Go-To Chicken Miso Soup Recipe with Tofu for Clean Eating Comfort

There’s something incredibly soothing about holding a warm bowl of soup between your hands on a chilly winter morning. As someone who writes about food for a living—and cooks even more—I’ve made hundreds of soups in my kitchen. But this chicken miso soup recipe with soft tofu cubes has earned a permanent spot in my weekly rotation. It’s authentic enough to satisfy my love for Japanese flavors, high protein for my meal-prep days, and light enough to enjoy even for breakfast. And honestly, the comfort it brings reminds me why I fell in love with homemade cooking in the first place.

Today, I’m sharing my personal, clean-eating version of this cozy winter favorite—packed with chicken, tofu, miso, ginger, and nourishing veggies. It’s gut-healing, delicious, and incredibly easy to make, even on busy weekday meals.

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What Makes This Soup Truly Japanese and Authentic?

When people think about Japanese soup, miso soup is usually the first that comes to mind. Traditionally, it’s a simple broth made from dashi and miso paste, often filled with tofu and seaweed. But over the years—after trying several versions across Tokyo, Osaka, and even tiny local shops—I realized how beautifully miso pairs with chicken broth too.

My version stays true to Japanese roots: miso paste, tofu, scallions, and a ginger-forward aroma. But I also use homemade chicken broth to elevate the protein, add richness, and make it extra comforting for winter. The clean eating twist keeps everything light, warming, and nourishing.

Ingredients You’ll Need (With Exact Measurements)

Here’s everything you need to make this high-protein, gut-loving soup:

• 4 cups chicken broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast
• 1 cup firm tofu, cut into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (optional for depth)
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

This combination creates a beautiful balance: the tofu for plant protein, the chicken for lean high protein, and the miso + ginger combo for that gut-healing goodness we all crave—especially during cold months.

Health Benefits of Chicken Miso Soup with Tofu

Over the years, I’ve learned that the most comforting foods often have the most nourishing properties. This clean-eating chicken miso soup is no exception. Here's why I love keeping it in my winter rotation:

✨ High in Protein

Between the chicken breast and tofu, you're getting a surprising amount of protein in a light bowl that doesn’t weigh you down. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or post-workout meals.

✨ Gut-Healing Ingredients

Miso is fermented, meaning it’s naturally rich in probiotics. Add ginger, which warms the digestive system, and you have a soothing, gut-friendly combo.

✨ Winter Comfort Without the Guilt

Many winter foods are heavy, creamy, or carb-loaded. But this soup checks all the cozy boxes without going off track from clean eating habits.

✨ Authentic Japanese Flavor

Even though this recipe includes chicken (a common nontraditional twist), the foundation is still authentic thanks to the miso, ginger, tofu, mushrooms, and scallions.

How to Make My Homemade Chicken Miso Soup (Step-by-Step)

This is where the magic happens. Even after making this recipe dozens of times—especially during my testing period as a food writer—I still get excited at how fast, easy, and satisfying it is.

1. Heat the chicken broth. Add the 4 cups of chicken broth to a pot and warm over medium heat.
2. Add the ginger and mushrooms. Stir in the grated ginger and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to infuse flavor.

3. Add the chicken and tofu. Stir in the shredded chicken and tofu cubes. Let everything warm through gently.
4. Add miso the right way. Turn off the heat. In a small bowl, whisk the miso paste with a few tablespoons of the warm broth, then pour it back into the pot. This keeps all the probiotics alive.
5. Finish with greens and scallions. Add spinach, scallions, soy sauce (optional), and sesame oil. Let the residual heat wilt the greens.

And just like that—without fuss, without hours of cooking—you have a nourishing, restaurant-worthy, winter-perfect soup.

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My Top 3 Amazon Recommendations for Making This Recipe Easier

After years of writing, testing, and improving recipes, certain tools just make life easier. Here are three I personally recommend for making this chicken miso soup recipe effortless.

1. Organic White Miso Paste

This clean, high-quality miso paste delivers that authentic Japanese umami without unnecessary additives. It dissolves beautifully and gives the broth incredible depth.

👉 Add this miso to your pantry and elevate every soup you make.

2. Organic Tofu (Shelf-Stable Pack)

A reliable tofu that holds its shape and doesn’t break easily when simmered in broth. Perfect for soups like this one.

👉 Click here to grab it and keep a pack ready for weekday meals.

3. Japanese-Style Soup Pot with Lid

Lightweight, heats evenly, and ideal for small-batch soups. I’ve used mine for years, and it genuinely makes cooking miso-based dishes easier.

👉 Tap to get this pot—it’s a game changer for homemade comfort food.

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Variations and High-Protein Add-Ons

One of the perks of this recipe is how customizable it is. Whenever I feel like switching things up during winter, here’s what I do:

• Add extra chicken or swap tofu for high-protein extra-firm tofu.
• Stir in a handful of edamame for an extra 8–10 grams of protein.
• Use quinoa noodles or shirataki noodles for a clean-eating twist.
• Add chili crisp for a spicy kick.
• Top with nori strips or toasted sesame seeds for a Japanese touch.

Even with variations, the soup stays wholesome, gut-friendly, and incredibly satisfying.

Why This Soup Belongs in Your Weekly Winter Rotation

I can’t tell you how many times this soup saved me on a busy weekday. Whether it’s breakfast on cold mornings or a late-night light dinner, it checks every box:

• ✔ High in protein
• ✔ Easy and quick to make
• ✔ Gut-healing and soothing
• ✔ Clean eating friendly
• ✔ Authentic Japanese flavor
• ✔ Meal prep approved

Even when I don’t feel like cooking, this homemade miso chicken soup never feels overwhelming. It’s my go-to winter comfort food for a reason—and I’m confident it’ll become yours too.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a healthy, high protein, clean eating recipe that brings both nourishment and comfort, this chicken miso soup with tofu deserves a spot in your kitchen. It’s warm, cozy, Japanese-inspired, healing, and incredibly easy to prepare—everything a bowl of winter comfort should be.

I hope this soup brings as much warmth to your week as it has to mine. Save this recipe, bookmark it, share it—because delicious homemade comfort should always be within reach.