Creamy Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Printable)

Velvety soup loaded with chicken, broccoli, and sharp cheddar in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
03 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Thickeners & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
11 - 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 0.5 teaspoon paprika
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Cook:

01 - In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux.
03 - Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk, ensuring no lumps form.
04 - Add the broccoli, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
05 - Stir in the cooked chicken and simmer for another 5 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheddar or fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, leaving you with a restaurant-quality soup in under an hour.
  • The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and bright broccoli feels indulgent without weighing you down.
  • This is the kind of soup that tastes like someone spent all day caring for you, even when you made it in thirty minutes flat.
02 -
  • Add the cheese off heat or it can break and get grainy—this mistake taught me patience and the importance of reading recipes carefully.
  • If your soup seems too thick, thin it with a splash of milk; too thin, and a whisked mixture of equal parts butter and flour stirred in at the end fixes it without starting over.
03 -
  • Chop your vegetables while the butter melts so you're ready to move through steps without scrambling.
  • If you want the soup silkier, blend half of it before adding the cheese and chicken, which creates a creamier texture while keeping some pieces intact for contrast.
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