Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This chunky, hearty Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup is packed with protein and tender vegetables, all enveloped in a rich, creamy, and super flavorful cheesy broth. It's then topped with crispy bacon for an extra delicious touch!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breasts cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose poultry seasoning
- 6 strips bacon diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2.5 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese* shredded
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup julienned carrots
soup seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 packet sazon
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cook the diced chicken until it's cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and most of the bacon grease, leaving 1 tablespoon behind.
- To the bacon drippings, melt butter. Cook the onions, shallots, and garlic together until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle over the soup seasonings and flour and stir for about 1 minute. Pour in the chicken stock, milk, and cream, whisking continuously. Stir in the carrots and broccoli. Turn heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
- Add the chicken back into the pot, stirring to incorporate. Add the cheese in portions, stirring after each addition until the cheese melts. To serve, top each bowl with a pinch of cheese and crispy bacon.
Notes
*Be sure to shred the cheese off the block for maximum meltability. You can get creative with the types of cheddar you select. Aged, smoked, or spicy options are all delicious or you can keep it classic with a sharp or medium cheddar.
* If you prefer a velvety smooth soup base, you can blend the soup before adding the carrots and broccoli. Otherwise, this soup is intended to be chunky.