This comforting low-carb chicken soup is a weeknight lifesaver, packed with rich flavor and wholesome ingredients.
It’s the perfect warm hug on a chilly evening and even better as a make-ahead meal prep option for healthy lunches all week long.
Get ready to discover how simple it is to create this hearty keto soup that’s both satisfying and incredibly delicious. You’ll love how easy it is to whip up a big batch for your family, ensuring everyone gets a nutritious and flavorful meal.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Hearty Keto Chicken Soup
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This comforting low-carb chicken soup is a weeknight lifesaver, packed with rich flavor and wholesome ingredients. It’s the perfect warm hug on a chilly evening and even better as a make-ahead meal prep option for healthy lunches all week long. Get ready to discover how simple it is to create this hearty keto soup that’s both satisfying and incredibly delicious. You’ll love how easy it is to whip up a big batch for your family, ensuring everyone gets a nutritious and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. You’ll notice a fragrant aroma filling your kitchen.
2. 2. Infuse with Garlic and Herbs: Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the pot. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
3. 3. Build the Broth Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. 4. Add Creaminess and Chicken: Stir in the softened cream cheese until it’s fully dissolved and smooth. Then, pour in the heavy cream and add the shredded cooked chicken. Stir well to combine all ingredients. The soup will start to look richer and more opaque.
5. 5. Season and Wilt Spinach: Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts, which should only take 1-2 minutes. The spinach will shrink significantly and add a lovely pop of color.
6. 6. Final Touches and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your warm and hearty keto chicken soup!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Keywords: keto, low carb, chicken soup, comfort food, meal prep, easy, healthy, winter, family friendly, creamy
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Hearty Keto Chicken Soup is a true winner for busy families and anyone looking for a delicious, low-carb meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It works because it uses simple, accessible ingredients and a straightforward cooking method, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. You can serve this soup as a complete meal for dinner, perhaps with a side salad, or portion it out for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. It’s ideal for those following a ketogenic diet, but its comforting flavors and satisfying texture appeal to everyone, making it a fantastic family-friendly option. It’s especially welcome during cooler months when you crave something warm and nourishing, but honestly, it’s so good you’ll want to make it year-round.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. This recipe calls for common pantry staples and fresh produce that are easy to find at any grocery store. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and the way the flavors meld together to create a truly satisfying dish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (optional, for lower carb omit or use sparingly)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For those looking to keep the carb count as low as possible, you can omit the carrots or reduce their quantity significantly. If you don’t have fresh spinach, frozen spinach works well; just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water before adding. Feel free to use store-bought rotisserie chicken for an even quicker meal prep – just shred it and you’re good to go. For the chicken broth, a good quality brand will make a difference in the final flavor, but any low-sodium option will work. If you prefer, you can use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option, though it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This hearty keto chicken soup is designed for efficiency, getting a delicious and nutritious meal on your table without a long wait.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
The prep time includes chopping your vegetables and shredding your cooked chicken. If you use pre-cooked chicken, your prep time will be even shorter! The cook time allows for sautéing the aromatics and simmering the soup to let the flavors develop beautifully.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting keto chicken soup is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to ensure a delicious and perfectly cooked meal every time.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. You’ll notice a fragrant aroma filling your kitchen.
- Infuse with Garlic and Herbs: Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the pot. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Build the Broth Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Creaminess and Chicken: Stir in the softened cream cheese until it’s fully dissolved and smooth. Then, pour in the heavy cream and add the shredded cooked chicken. Stir well to combine all ingredients. The soup will start to look richer and more opaque.
- Season and Wilt Spinach: Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts, which should only take 1-2 minutes. The spinach will shrink significantly and add a lovely pop of color.
- Final Touches and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your warm and hearty keto chicken soup!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This hearty keto chicken soup is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can blend a portion of the soup before adding the chicken and spinach to create a smoother, less textured broth that some children prefer. You can also add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese on top for extra appeal.
If you’re looking to add more healthy fats, stir in a tablespoon of butter or a few slices of avocado just before serving. For a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can elevate the flavor. You can also swap out the chicken for cooked turkey, making it a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. For a heartier meal, consider adding some cooked cauliflower florets or broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
This soup is fantastic on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of keto-friendly “bread” like almond flour biscuits or cheese crisps for dipping. For a buffet or party setting, keep the soup warm in a slow cooker and provide various toppings like extra fresh herbs, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for guests to customize their bowls.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results with your keto chicken soup every time.
One common mistake is overcooking the vegetables at the beginning. While you want them softened, you don’t want them mushy, especially if you’re including carrots. Sauté them until tender-crisp, not browned. Another slip-up is not seasoning adequately. Taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper. Broths vary in sodium content, so always taste and adjust.
Adding cold cream cheese directly to hot soup can sometimes cause it to clump. To avoid this, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding it, and stir it in gradually until fully incorporated and smooth. Similarly, over-simmering after adding the cream can cause the dairy to separate. Once the cream and cream cheese are in, just heat through gently; avoid a rolling boil.
Finally, not shredding the chicken properly can lead to uneven textures. Ensure your chicken is cooked through and then shredded into bite-sized pieces that are easy to eat with a spoon. If using pre-cooked chicken, make sure it’s not overly dry before adding it to the soup.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This hearty keto chicken soup is an excellent candidate for meal prep, as it stores and reheats beautifully.
To store: Allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. You can store individual portions or a larger batch. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze: If you plan to freeze the soup, it’s best to do so before adding the heavy cream and cream cheese, as dairy products can sometimes separate or change texture when frozen and thawed. Freeze the broth base with chicken and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop and stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese until warmed through and creamy. If you’ve already added the dairy, you can still freeze it, but be prepared for a slightly different texture upon reheating; a quick whisk can often help smooth it out.
To reheat: For refrigerated soup, simply reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through, until hot. If the soup seems too thick after reheating, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions people have about making this hearty keto chicken soup.
**Q: Can I use
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
