This Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a creamy broth. It’s perfect for cozy nights, offering a satisfying, hearty meal that’s simple to prepare. With fresh herbs and a velvety texture, this soup will quickly become a family favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), diced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced

• 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

• 2 tablespoons butter

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (optional for thickening)

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

2. Cook the vegetables: In the same pot, add butter. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes). Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).

3. Create the base: Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine (this step is optional, but it helps thicken the soup). Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

4. Add the broth: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer, allowing it to cook for 10 minutes.

5. Make it creamy: Stir in the heavy cream, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked chicken back into the pot. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes, until it’s thickened to your liking.

6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with a side of crusty bread.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 320 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 9g

• Protein: 28g

• Fat: 20g

• Saturated Fat: 9g

• Cholesterol: 85mg

• Sodium: 800mg

• Potassium: 600mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 3g

• Vitamin A: 500 IU

• Vitamin C: 6mg

• Calcium: 80mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Chicken: Tender and Flavorful

The chicken is the centerpiece of this dish, providing protein and substance. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference. Chicken thighs add a bit more richness and flavor, while breasts are leaner and cook more quickly. Dicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces ensures that it cooks evenly and integrates well with the rest of the soup.

By searing the chicken first in olive oil, you develop a delicious golden-brown crust on the outside, which adds flavor and depth to the overall soup. The chicken is then removed from the pot while the vegetables are cooked, allowing it to rest and stay juicy. Once the base is ready, the chicken is added back into the pot, absorbing all the flavors of the creamy broth.

The Mushrooms: Earthy and Savory

Mushrooms are an essential part of this soup, bringing earthiness and umami to the dish. You can use either white mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, or a combination of both, depending on your flavor preference. The mushrooms are sautéed until golden brown, releasing their moisture and developing a deeper, richer flavor. As they cook, they add a savory note to the soup that pairs beautifully with the creamy broth.

The combination of the browned mushrooms and the chicken creates a robust base, and the mushrooms’ texture provides a satisfying contrast to the tender chicken. The earthy flavor of the mushrooms complements the richness of the cream, making this soup a well-rounded dish with depth and complexity.

The Creamy Broth: Rich and Velvety

The broth in this soup is where the magic happens. Starting with chicken broth as the base, the soup is then enriched with heavy cream, which gives it that smooth, velvety texture. The heavy cream also helps balance out the savory notes from the chicken and mushrooms, creating a comforting and indulgent consistency. The addition of dried thyme and parsley brings an aromatic freshness that ties the entire dish together, while salt and pepper help balance the richness of the soup.

If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a small amount of flour to the pot after sautéing the vegetables. This step helps thicken the broth and gives the soup a luscious consistency, making it even more satisfying. If you’d like to avoid the flour, you can simply let the soup simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken naturally.

Cooking the Soup: Easy and Efficient

One of the best things about this soup is how quick and easy it is to make. The first step is searing the chicken in olive oil, which takes just a few minutes. Once the chicken is browned, it’s set aside to rest. In the same pot, you cook the onions and garlic in butter, which brings out their sweetness and fragrance. The mushrooms are then added and cooked until they release their moisture and turn golden brown. This step ensures the mushrooms develop their full flavor before adding the liquid ingredients.

Once the vegetables are ready, you sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms to create a base that will help thicken the soup. The chicken broth is then added, and the soup is simmered for 10 minutes. Finally, the heavy cream, herbs, and cooked chicken are stirred in, and the soup is simmered for another 5-10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions: A Complete Meal

This Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when paired with a side of crusty bread. The bread helps soak up the creamy broth, making each bite even more satisfying. You can also serve this soup with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

For extra flavor, try sprinkling some freshly grated Parmesan over the soup just before serving. The saltiness of the Parmesan enhances the creamy broth and adds a bit of richness to the soup. If you’re looking for an even heartier meal, you could pair it with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple pasta dish.

Nutritional Information: A Balanced and Nutritious Dish

Each serving of Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup contains 320 calories, making it a satisfying but not overly heavy meal. With 28 grams of protein, it provides a good amount of lean protein from the chicken, which helps keep you full and satisfied. The soup contains 20 grams of fat, including 9 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the butter and heavy cream. This gives the soup its creamy, indulgent texture, while still remaining balanced.

The soup also provides 2 grams of fiber, thanks to the mushrooms and other vegetables, and 13 grams of sugar, which comes naturally from the ingredients like the onions and carrots. The sodium content is 800mg per serving, but you can reduce it by using low-sodium chicken broth if needed.

In terms of micronutrients, the soup is a good source of vitamin A (500 IU) and calcium (80mg), thanks to the vegetables and the dairy content. It also provides a small amount of iron (2mg) to support overall health.

Conclusion: A Comforting and Flavorful Meal

Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup is a perfect dish for cozy nights or when you’re craving something comforting and satisfying. The combination of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a creamy broth creates a rich, flavorful meal that’s both hearty and comforting. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this soup is a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests. Whether you serve it with crusty bread or a light salad, it’s sure to become a family favorite that everyone will love.