Description
This Creamy Chicken Soup is a warm, comforting, and satisfying meal made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a rich, creamy broth. It’s an easy homemade soup that comes together with simple ingredients and is perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or a cozy family dinner. Serve it with crusty bread for a hearty meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fresh spinach, optional
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Sauté the Vegetables
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the Seasonings
Stir in the Italian seasoning, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds to release the flavors of the herbs.
3. Add the Chicken Broth
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked shredded chicken and allow everything to simmer for about 8–10 minutes.
4. Make the Soup Creamy
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until smooth and free of lumps. Slowly pour the mixture into the soup while stirring continuously.
Add the heavy cream and continue cooking over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
5. Add Spinach and Parmesan
Stir in the fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the Parmesan melts into the creamy broth.
6. Taste and Adjust
Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed. Keep the soup over low heat and avoid bringing it to a rapid boil once the cream has been added.
7. Serve
Ladle the Creamy Chicken Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan. Serve hot with crusty bread, garlic bread, or crackers.
Recipe Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to make this creamy chicken soup even quicker.
- Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, potatoes, peas, or corn.
- For a thicker soup, let it simmer a few extra minutes after adding the cream.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or freshly grated Parmesan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat them on the stovetop.
