German Party Soup (Oma's Chicken Ofensuppe)

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Published: October 5, 2026

Pineapple, ketchup and curry in a chicken soup? And it bakes in the oven? I know how that sounds. But this German party soup takes about 20 minutes of work while the oven does the rest. And every ingredient comes from your regular grocery store, or whatever's in the back of your fridge.

Jump to recipe ⇣

Oma's German party soup, ready to serve.

In Germany, ofensuppe was the party soup of the 1970s and '80s. You browned the meat, opened a few cans and stirred it all together in one big pot. Two hours later there was dinner for a crowd, and you hadn't spent the evening at the stove.

Most German recipes use curry ketchup and bottled chili sauce. I use plain ketchup and curry powder, so you don't have to hunt for anything.

I also add potatoes. Many German versions leave them out and serve the soup with bread. With the potatoes in the pot, it becomes a whole meal.

What Is Ofensuppe?

Ofensuppe (OH-fen-zoo-puh) means oven soup. Ofen is the oven and Suppe is soup. It's a German one-pot party dish of meat, onions, canned vegetables, fruit and cream. It bakes in a covered pot for about two hours. Germans also call it Partysuppe, or party soup. Hähnchen (HEHN-shen) means chicken.

Ofensuppe for a Party

Ofensuppe was synonymous with schlaghosen ("punch pants," otherwise known as bell-bottoms) in 1970s and '80s Germany. This oven soup became known as a stress-free dish for large groups, since the host didn't have to stay in the kitchen. 

I love to add a sprinkle of parsley on top.

Oven Soup vs German Chicken Soup

Look up German chicken soup and you'll find hühnersuppe. That's a clear broth simmered on the stove, usually with noodles. Ofensuppe is a different thing altogether. It's thick and creamy with a warm curry flavor, and it bakes in the oven. For the clear kind, try my easy chicken noodle soup.

What You Need for German Oven Soup

• Chicken: Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces. I use breasts, but chicken thighs can be substituted as well.
• Potatoes: Peel and cube them. Keep the cubes about the same size so they all cook evenly at the same time.
• Canned peas and mushrooms: Add them with their liquid. That liquid is your soup base, so you don't need any broth. Frozen peas work too.
• Corn: This is the only can to get drained.
• Pineapple: Tidbits or chunks, with the juice. The sweetness helps to balance the curry.
• Ketchup and curry powder: Together they give you the flavor of German curry ketchup. It's the same pairing as the sauce on my currywurst recipe.
• Heavy cream: Use full-fat heavy cream. Half-and-half or milk can curdle during the long bake.
• Roasted red peppers: Optional. Drain and chop them.

How to Make Ofensuppe

Everything comes from your regular grocery store.

The most important step for any recipe is gathering all your ingredients while getting the Dutch oven heated up.

Brown the chicken lightly. The oven finishes the cooking.

Brown the chicken. Heat the oil in your Dutch oven and brown the chicken lightly. It doesn't need much color, and it doesn't need to cook through. The oven does everything else.

My camera stopped working :(

Add the onions and cook them for about 2 minutes, just until they start to soften. Then add the potatoes, the pineapple with its juice, the peas and mushrooms with their liquid, the corn, and the peppers.

Pour the sauce over everything and stir.

Whisk the cream, ketchup, and curry powder together, then pour it over and stir to combine. Mixing the sauce first spreads the curry flavor evenly.

Into the oven for about 2 hands-free hours.

Put the lid on and slide the pot into the oven for about 2 hours. It's ready when a potato cube is tender all the way through and the chicken is cooked.

After 2 hours, the potatoes are tender and the sauce is thick.

After two hours, stir gently so you don't break up the potatoes. Taste, then add salt and pepper. Add a little water if it's too thick.

Thick and creamy, with a little sweetness from the pineapple.

Enjoy!

Make It Your Own Way

• Use beef, pork, or turkey instead of chicken. Even a mix of meats is delicious.
• Add more or less of the vegetables. Leave out the ones you don't like and add those you do.
• Carrots make a nice addition.
• Not a pineapple fan? No judgment from me if you don't add it.

From Oma's heart to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

What to Serve with Ofensuppe

• A sprinkle of chopped parsley on top adds a pop of color
• Crusty bread or German bread rolls for dipping
• A crisp green or cucumber salad

Print Recipe

Chicken Oven Soup (Hähnchen-Ofensuppe)

German ofensuppe (oven soup) became a favorite party dish in the 1970s and '80s. Made in one pot with meat, this time with chicken, vegetables, cream, and curry, it's an easy way to feed a hungry crowd.

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

2 hours

Total Time:

2 hours 20 minutes

Servings:

8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oil
• 3 medium onions (about 450 grams), chopped
• 1½ pounds (680 grams) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) pineapple tidbits or halved chunks, with the juice
• 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) peas, with the liquid, or 1 cup (140 grams) frozen peas
• 1 can (4 ounces/113 grams) sliced mushrooms, with the liquid
• 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) corn, drained
• 1 jar (12 ounces/340 grams) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (optional)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) ketchup
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons (about 13 grams) curry powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 395°F (200°C).
2. Heat the oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken and brown it lightly.
4. Add the onions and cook for about 2 minutes.
5. Add the potatoes, pineapple with its juice, peas with their liquid, mushrooms with their liquid, corn, and roasted red peppers (if using). 
6. Whisk the ketchup, heavy cream, and curry powder together in a bowl.
7. Pour the sauce over the chicken and veg and stir well to combine.
8. Cover the pot and bake for about 2 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
9. Stir gently before serving, check if salt and pepper are needed, and add a little water if the soup is thicker than desired.
10. Add a bit of chopped parsley for some extra color (optional).

Notes/Hints:

• Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of water if it's thick.
• You can use beef, pork, or turkey meat instead of the chicken. Even a mix of meats is delicious. 
• You can always add more or less of the vegetables. 
• Omit the vegetables you don't like, and add those you do. 
• Carrots make a nice addition.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

German Oven (Party) Soup FAQs

What’s for Dinner?

Let Oma help! Join my Kaffeeklatsch for easy German recipes and a little taste of Germany in your inbox.

 

You’ll also get my free Most Popular Recipes ebook right away.

 

Email address

First name

YES, SEND ME THE RECIPES!

Thanks for joining!

Keep your eyes on your inbox for my email. 

---

Follow Oma on Social Media:

instagramyoutubefacebookpinterest

Comments?  Questions?

You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Recent Articles

• 
• 

1. Cucumber and Dill Pickle Salad (Gurkensalat mit Gewürzgurken)

   Sep 27, 26 01:04 AM

   
   This cucumber salad with pickles is creamy, crunchy, and full of fresh flavor. It makes an easy side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite German-inspired meals.

   Read More

2. Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe – Oma's Champignon-Cremesuppe Rezept.

   Sep 27, 26 12:27 AM

   
   Looking for cream of mushroom soup recipe? Here's a quick one that's so delicious. AND, a super quick one you'll love to make!

   Read More

3. Easy Cream of Celery Soup Recipe – Oma's Selleriesuppe Rezept*

   Sep 26, 26 10:51 PM

   
   This creamy German Cream of Celery Soup recipe makes a wonderful light supper. Serve a salad on the side, some crispy crackers, and fruit to finish, and you'll have a happy and satisfied family!

   Read More

Let's connect...

From Oma's heart
to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.