What are the ingredients in Progresso chicken soup?

December 12, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 100 years of history support Progresso's claim of making soups with quality ingredients. But what are the ingredients in Progresso chicken soup, specifically? While core components like chicken broth, white meat chicken, and vegetables are common, the full list reveals several additives and flavorings that vary by product line.

Quick Summary

A breakdown of the ingredients in Progresso chicken soup reveals core elements like chicken, broth, and vegetables, supplemented by flavorings, starches, and other additives that vary between different varieties like chicken noodle and chicken wild rice. The composition reflects both traditional elements and modern food processing methods.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Most varieties of Progresso chicken soup contain chicken broth, cooked white chicken meat, carrots, and celery.
Additives: Common additives listed in the “less than 2%” category include modified food starch, hydrolyzed proteins, flavorings, sugar, and preservatives like sodium phosphate.
Variations: Ingredients differ significantly across the product line, such as egg noodles in chicken noodle soup and wild rice in chicken & wild rice soup.
Allergens: Depending on the type, Progresso chicken soups may contain common allergens like wheat, egg, or soy.
Dietary Considerations: Consumers should be mindful of the sodium content, which can be high across many varieties, and check for specific dietary claims like 'Gluten Free'.
Label Transparency: The term "natural flavor" refers to a proprietary blend of ingredients not fully disclosed to the public.

Progresso offers a wide range of chicken soups, from traditional comfort classics to specialty and reduced-sodium options. The ingredients vary significantly depending on the specific product, so it's essential to examine the label of each one individually. However, many share a common base of chicken broth, cooked white chicken meat, and vegetables like carrots and celery. Beyond these basics, the specific starches, flavor enhancers, and preservatives differentiate one variety from another.

Core Ingredients Common to Most Progresso Chicken Soups

Most Progresso chicken soups start with a simple, recognizable base. These foundational components provide the primary flavors and textures of the soup.

Chicken Broth: The liquid base for almost all chicken varieties.
Cooked White Chicken Meat: The main protein source, typically with “no antibiotics ever”.
Vegetables: Carrots and celery are staples, and some varieties include others like potatoes or tomatoes.
Pasta or Grains: Common additions include egg noodles for chicken noodle soup or wild and brown rice for chicken and wild rice varieties.

The “Less Than 2%” Club: Additives and Enhancers

This is where the lists begin to diverge. Under the label's “contains less than 2% of” section, a variety of ingredients are added to control texture, flavor, and shelf life. These ingredients are standard for most mass-produced canned goods.

Modified Food Starch: Used as a thickener to give the soup a richer, more substantial consistency.
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein and Soy Protein Isolate: These are used as flavor enhancers and sometimes as stabilizers.
Flavoring and Natural Flavor: The exact components of these are proprietary. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), "flavor" can be a complex mixture of chemicals designed to manipulate taste.
Maltodextrin and Sugar: Sweeteners that can enhance the overall flavor profile.
Sodium Phosphate and Potassium Chloride: Used to preserve moisture, stabilize texture, and contribute to the high sodium content.
Beta Carotene: Added to provide a consistent, appealing yellow color.
Dried Herbs: Ingredients like dried parsley and chives are used for flavor.

Comparison Table: Ingredients by Progresso Chicken Soup Variety


Ingredient Category	Traditional Chicken Noodle	Traditional Chicken & Wild Rice	Gluten Free Homestyle Chicken
Protein	Cooked white chicken meat	Cooked white chicken meat	Cooked white chicken meat
Liquid Base	Chicken broth	Chicken broth	Chicken broth
Pasta/Grain	Egg noodles (semolina wheat, egg)	Wild rice, brown rice	Curly pasta (pea flour)
Core Vegetables	Carrots, celery	Carrots, tomatoes, wild rice, celery	Carrots, celery
Thickeners/Starches	Modified food starch	Modified food starch	Modified food starch
Key Additives	Soy protein isolate, sugar, maltodextrin, beta carotene, flavor, natural flavor	Soy protein isolate, sugar, maltodextrin, beta carotene, flavoring, natural flavor	Soy protein isolate, sugar, maltodextrin, beta carotene, flavor, natural flavor
Allergens	Wheat, egg, soy	Soy	None (Gluten Free)

Concerns and Considerations for Consumers

While Progresso soup is a convenient meal option, it's worth considering some aspects of its composition. The sodium content can be particularly high across many varieties. The presence of non-specific “flavoring” and “natural flavor” means the exact makeup is not fully disclosed to consumers, a common practice in the processed food industry. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also notes the potential for BPA contamination from the can lining in many canned products, though Progresso has been moving towards BPA-free liners.

Reading the Ingredients: Making Informed Choices

To understand what is in your Progresso chicken soup, always read the specific product label. Different product lines, such as 'Traditional,' 'Rich & Hearty,' and 'Light,' will have varying formulations. For instance, the 'Light Chicken Noodle' contains xanthan gum as an additional thickener. If you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer fewer processed ingredients, comparing labels is critical. For those seeking gluten-free options, versions like the 'Homestyle Chicken Noodle with Curly Pasta' are specifically made with pea flour pasta.

Conclusion: A Convenient Classic with a Complex Ingredient Profile

So, what are the ingredients in Progresso chicken soup? They include the familiar, wholesome components you'd expect, such as chicken and vegetables, but they are supported by a host of processed additives for flavor, texture, and preservation. The exact combination depends on the specific variety, with options like 'Traditional Chicken Noodle' and 'Traditional Chicken & Wild Rice' having distinct recipes. Reading the label of your chosen product is the only way to know precisely what you are consuming. Ultimately, the product balances the convenience and comforting flavor it's known for with the realities of modern mass food production. For consumers who prioritize minimal processing or have dietary concerns, scrutinizing the label is a necessary step.

Visit Progresso's website for specific product ingredient lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Progresso uses cooked white chicken meat in its chicken soups. Many products specify that the chicken is sourced from birds raised with "no antibiotics ever".

The Traditional and Rich & Hearty chicken noodle varieties contain egg noodles, which are made from semolina wheat and egg. The Gluten Free version uses a curly pasta made from pea flour.

Some varieties are explicitly labeled as gluten-free, such as the Homestyle Chicken Noodle with Curly Pasta and Traditional Chicken & Wild Rice. However, other versions, like the standard Chicken Noodle, contain wheat-based noodles and are not gluten-free.

Sodium is used as a flavor enhancer and preservative in canned soups. While Progresso offers some reduced-sodium options, many traditional and hearty varieties have a higher sodium count to ensure flavor and extend shelf life.

Modified food starch is a thickening agent used to give the soup a desirable consistency. It's a common ingredient in many processed and canned foods to control texture.

According to the product labels, Progresso soups contain no artificial flavors and no colors from artificial sources. However, they do list "natural flavor" and use beta carotene for color.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has noted that can linings for many canned goods, including some Progresso products, have historically contained BPA. However, Progresso has made efforts to shift to BPA-free liners.