Homemade Creamy Chicken Soup

Homemade Creamy Chicken Soup is a simple, soothing meal you can make any night of the week. It combines tender chicken, gentle aromatics, and a silky broth for a bowl that warms the whole family. Try a spiced anti-inflammatory version for a twist on the base recipe.

Why this soup is such a good pick

This recipe works because it feels like comfort and cooks without fuss. Use it when you want something filling after a busy day or when weather turns chilly. The base is forgiving: swap vegetables, add noodles, or stir in a little lemon for brightness. It comes together fast if you start with cooked chicken or rotisserie meat and it stretches well for lunches and leftovers. If you like a bolder profile, you can even turn it into an enchilada-style bowl with different spices like the enchilada-style version.

What makes this recipe great and what you’ll notice first

The flavor reads cozy and familiar. Carrots, celery, and onion give a classic base. Butter and a light roux add body without heaviness. Fresh herbs lift the final bowl so it never tastes flat. You’ll also love how quickly it comes together. With pre-cooked chicken, you can finish the soup in about 20–30 minutes. The method scales easily if you want to feed more people or make meal-sized portions for the week.

Ingredients and helpful swaps

Below I list the common ingredients and why each matters. This helps you pick good swaps and keep the soup true to the creamy style.

What you’ll need for this recipe

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great)
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half (for richer soup use cream)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives to finish

If you want to add noodles or rice, cook them separately or add small pasta in the final 10 minutes so they don’t soak up too much liquid.

Smart swaps for dietary needs

• For dairy-free: use full-fat coconut milk or an unsweetened nut milk + a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken. (If you like Thai flavors, see a chicken coconut curry idea.)
• For gluten-free: replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, or use cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water).
• For a quicker route: use leftover or rotisserie chicken. This works well; see how it pairs with mushroom in a different take: rotisserie mushroom soup.

A simple variation (optional)

Add sliced mushrooms when you sauté the vegetables for deeper umami. Or stir in a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness.

How to make Homemade Creamy Chicken Soup

This method keeps steps clear and the texture smooth. Read through once, then follow the numbered steps.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for 1–2 minutes to cook the raw flour taste.
4. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping any bits from the pot. Add the bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add the cooked chicken and simmer 8–10 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Stir in milk or half-and-half and heat gently. Do not boil after adding dairy. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Remove the bay leaf. Finish with chopped parsley or chives and serve.

Step	Details
1	Sauté aromatics: onion, carrots, celery in butter until soft.
2	Make roux with flour, then whisk in chicken broth.
3	Add cooked chicken, simmer; stir in milk and season.

Tips for texture, timing & tools

• Use a wide pot so vegetables brown evenly.
• If you like a super-smooth base, blend up to half the soup with an immersion blender, then return the chicken.
• Avoid rolling boil after adding milk to prevent curdling.
• For a flavor pivot, try adding coconut milk and curry paste for a different profile; a good starting reference is this coconut red curry variant.

Storage, reheating

How to store it right

Cool soup to room temperature for no more than two hours. Transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 3–4 days. Freeze in portions for 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating without losing flavor

Warm gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of broth or milk if the soup thickened in the fridge. Reheat just until hot; avoid boiling. Taste and adjust salt before serving.

A dish worth making again and again

This soup rewards small changes. Add corn, swap herbs, or fold in cooked pasta for comfort bowls. It’s reliable for weeknight dinners and for feeding a crowd.

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FAQs

Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?

Yes. Add bite-sized raw chicken in step 4 and simmer until fully cooked (about 10–12 minutes). Ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Can I freeze creamy chicken soup safely?

You can freeze it, but dairy can change texture after freezing. If you plan to freeze, consider adding milk after reheating and use a splash of cream as needed.

How do I make it dairy-free but still creamy?

Use canned full-fat coconut milk or an unsweetened nut milk plus a thickener like cornstarch. Add these near the end of cooking and warm gently.

How long does it keep in the fridge?

Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze in meal-sized portions.

Conclusion

If you want a classic creamy chicken soup with straightforward steps and family-friendly flavor, this recipe delivers. For another take with noodles and a lighter base, see Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for a closely related version that stays rich without heavy cream.