Creamy Chicken Soup
Creamy chicken soup is a soothing and hearty dish combining tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich, velvety cream base. Perfect for cold days or anytime comfort food is desired, this easy-to-make soup uses simple ingredients and fresh herbs to create a nourishing bowl full of warmth and flavor.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, shredded or diced
Fats
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Herbs & Seasoning
- 2 tsp fresh thyme or 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Optional
- 1–2 potatoes, peeled and diced (optional for extra heartiness)
- 1 cup noodles (regular or gluten-free)
- Prepare the Chicken: Poach or sauté the chicken breast or thighs over medium heat until fully cooked and tender. Once cooked, shred or cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened and onions turn translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic last and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Build the Soup Base: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the vegetables to release their sweetness and blend flavors. If using potatoes or noodles, add them at this stage to cook through.
- Add the Cream and Chicken: Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half until the soup is silky and smooth. Fold in the cooked chicken, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Season and Finish: Add fresh thyme or parsley, and season the soup generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Warm the soup through (do not boil) to marry the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth if available for a deeper flavor.
- Gently reheat soup to prevent cream from curdling.
- Shred chicken while warm for easier shredding and better flavor absorption.
- Chop vegetables uniformly for even cooking and texture.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding more broth if too thick or more cream for richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy chicken soup, comfort food, chicken soup, creamy soup, easy chicken recipe, gluten free soup