Print

Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A large Dutch oven filled with chicken broccoli cheddar soup.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Broccoli cheddar soup has always been my all-time favorite, so it was only a matter of time before I developed a recipe that turned it into a complete meal. Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup transforms this classic comfort food recipe into a hearty and complete lunch or dinner, eliminating the need for any sides!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 5 cups chopped broccoli florets
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8-ounce block cheddar cheese - shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Chop the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook the chopped chicken breast until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove it from the pot and set it aside on a clean plate. 
  3. Add the butter and warm it over medium heat until melted.  Once melted, add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
  4. Stir in the flour and mix until smooth, and no clumps remain.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth.  Whisk continuously over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.  You will know it has thickened when it starts to coat the sides of the soup pot.
  6. Add the broccoli florets and shredded carrots.  Cook for an additional 2 minutes to soften the broccoli.
  7. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the cooked chicken breast pieces, milk, and heavy cream.  Bring the soup to a gentle simmer without letting it come to a full boil. 
  8. Once simmering, remove the soup from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.  Add the salt and pepper, take a taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  9. Serve immediately with a piece of crusty bread or soup crackers, and enjoy! 

Notes

  • The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.  It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. 
  • Keep the broccoli pieces on the larger side, but still small enough for one bite. This helps them stay tender and not mushy.
  • For extra flavor, feel free to season the chicken breast before cooking it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Keep the soup at a gentle simmer to ensure the heavy cream stays smooth and does not separate. Separation can make the soup grainy. 

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sugarandsnappeas.com/gluten-free-broccoli-cheddar-soup/