Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Soup

$- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 medium onion, diced - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2 medium carrots, diced - 2 celery stalks, diced - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon dried parsley - 1 teaspoon rosemary - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) To make this soup, you need a few key items: - A large pot - A sharp knife - A cutting board - A wooden spoon - Measuring cups and spoons These tools help you prepare and cook the soup efficiently. You can adjust the recipe based on what you have. Here are some ideas: - Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. - Swap heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version. - Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup. - Try fresh herbs if you have them; they add great flavor! - For a thicker soup, mix in a little cornstarch with water. These changes can make the recipe fit your taste and pantry. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to look soft and clear. Next, stir in minced garlic. Cook for one minute but watch closely to prevent burning. After that, add diced carrots and celery to the pot. Cook these for 5-6 minutes until they are tender. Now, pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Once it bubbles, add shredded chicken, heavy cream, thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix it well. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend nicely. After simmering, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the soup hot, topped with fresh parsley. When sautéing vegetables, keep the heat at medium. If it’s too high, your veggies might burn. Stir often to help them cook evenly. Start with onions, as they take longer to soften. Add garlic later to keep its flavor fresh. For carrots and celery, cut them into small pieces. This helps them cook faster. If you want more flavor, add a pinch of salt while sautéing. It helps draw out their natural sweetness. To make the soup creamy, use heavy cream. Add it after the broth and chicken. This step ensures the cream blends well. Stir it in gently to avoid curdling. If you want an even creamier soup, blend part of it after simmering. Use an immersion blender for easy mixing. This adds a nice texture. Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. Enjoy your creamy garlic herb chicken soup! To bring out the best in your Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Soup, focus on your cooking methods. Start by sautéing the onion in olive oil until it turns clear. This step adds a sweet flavor. Next, add the minced garlic. Cooking it just until fragrant enhances the soup’s depth. When you add the carrots and celery, let them soften a bit. This step builds a nice base for your soup. One common mistake is burning the garlic. Keep a close eye on it. If it burns, it can make your soup bitter. Another mistake is not seasoning. Taste your soup as it cooks and adjust the salt and pepper. Lastly, don’t rush the simmering process. Letting the soup simmer allows flavors to mix. Patience is key! If your soup is too thin, there are easy ways to thicken it. You can let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid. Another option is to add a slurry of cornstarch and water. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water, then stir it in. This trick works quickly. You can also add more heavy cream for a richer texture. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker prep, use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. It saves time without sacrificing flavor. Adjust the Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter soup, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with milk or a plant-based alternative like almond milk. Fresh Herbs: For the best flavor, use fresh herbs instead of dried. Add them towards the end of cooking to maintain their vibrant taste. Thicken the Soup: If you like a thicker soup, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking. {{image_2}} You can boost the taste of this soup in many ways. Try adding mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Sweet corn adds a nice crunch. If you want heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. You can also toss in some spinach or kale for a healthy twist. These add-ins make the soup more colorful and tasty. If you prefer a meatless dish, swap chicken for hearty beans or lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add more vegetables, like zucchini or bell peppers, for a filling meal. A splash of lemon juice adds brightness. Cream can be replaced with coconut milk for a unique flavor. This soup is easy to make gluten-free. Ensure your chicken broth is labeled gluten-free. You can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch to thicken the soup instead of flour. These swaps keep the same creamy texture without the gluten. Enjoy a delicious bowl without worry! After you enjoy your creamy garlic herb chicken soup, let it cool. Pour any leftover soup into an airtight container. Seal it tightly. Storing it this way keeps the flavors fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Freezing your soup is easy. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Make sure to leave some space at the top. Soup expands when it freezes. Label the containers with the date. You can safely freeze it for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat your soup, you can use a pot on the stove or a microwave. If using the stove, heat it on low. Stir often to avoid burning. For the microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir in between to ensure even heating. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water. This will help it return to the right consistency. Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Soup stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. To keep it safe, store it in an airtight container. This helps lock in flavor and keep it from spoiling. Always check for signs of spoilage before eating. If it smells off or looks strange, it's best to toss it. Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken! It saves you time and adds great flavor. Just shred the chicken and mix it into the soup. This shortcut makes the dish even easier. Plus, rotisserie chicken adds a nice, smoky taste that enhances the overall flavor. You can try many herbs for extra flavor. Fresh thyme, basil, or dill work great. You might also like tarragon or oregano. Feel free to mix and match to suit your taste. Just keep in mind that fresh herbs are usually stronger than dried ones. Adjust the amount based on what you use. In this blog post, we explored the rich flavors of Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Soup. We covered ingredients, cooking steps, and tips for extra taste. You learned about variations for different diets and how to store leftovers properly. In conclusion, this soup offers warm comfort and endless options. With just a few tweaks, you can make it your own. Enjoy the process, and happy cooking!$

Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Soup

A rich and flavorful chicken soup infused with garlic and herbs, perfect for a comforting meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon rosemary
to taste salt and pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, making sure it doesn’t burn.
Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot, cooking for 5-6 minutes until they start to soften.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Once simmering, add the shredded chicken, heavy cream, thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken.
Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as desired, according to your taste.
Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot for best flavor.

Keyword chicken, creamy, garlic, herb, soup