Velvety Chicken and Herb Soup
Warm up your winter evenings with this velvety Chicken and Herb Soup! This delightful blend of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy broth creates a comforting meal that's perfect for chilly nights. It pairs beautifully with a crisp salad and some hot, crusty French bread for a complete dining experience. Ideal for cozy family dinners or as an elegant first course, this recipe is a great way to use leftover baked chicken, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Serve it as a main dish for two or as an appetizer for four—you'll find it irresistible either way!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
6 (tablespoons)
celery
1/4 (cup, chopped fine)
onion
1/4 (cup, chopped fine)
garlic
1 (teaspoon, minced)
all-purpose flour
1/3 (cup)
milk
1/2 (cup)
light cream
1/2 (cup)
chicken broth
3 (cups)
cooked chicken
1 (cup, chopped)
white pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
black pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
ground cayenne pepper
1/8 (teaspoon (or to taste))
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Add the finely chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
3
Sprinkle the flour over the softened vegetables, stirring to combine. Cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it becomes slightly golden.
4
Pour in the milk, light cream, and chicken broth gradually, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Keep cooking until the soup thickens and reaches a gentle boil.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the chopped cooked chicken along with white pepper, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper.
6
Let the soup simmer on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through, allowing the flavors to meld.
7
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired before serving hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Velvety Chicken and Herb Soup?
It is a comforting and delightful blend of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy broth perfect for chilly nights.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe serves two people as a main dish or four people as an appetizer or first course.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, this recipe is an excellent way to use leftover baked chicken so that nothing goes to waste.
What should I serve with Velvety Chicken and Herb Soup?
It pairs beautifully with a crisp salad and hot, crusty French bread for a complete dining experience.
What vegetables are needed for the soup base?
The base is made with finely chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic.
How do I thicken the soup?
The soup is thickened by stirring all-purpose flour into the sautéed vegetables to create a roux before adding liquids.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic for about 5 minutes or until they are soft and fragrant.
What types of dairy are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of milk and light cream to create its velvety texture.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe calls for three cups of chicken broth.
How do I prevent lumps from forming in the soup?
Pour the milk, cream, and broth in gradually while stirring continuously to ensure a smooth consistency.
What spices are used to season the soup?
The soup is seasoned with white pepper, black pepper, salt, and a pinch of ground cayenne pepper.
How much cayenne pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1/8 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, or you can adjust it to your personal taste.
What is the purpose of the white pepper?
White pepper adds heat and flavor while maintaining the uniform light and creamy appearance of the soup.
How long should the flour mixture cook?
Cook the flour with the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until it becomes slightly golden before adding the liquids.
When do I add the cooked chicken?
Add the chopped cooked chicken after the soup has thickened and reached a gentle boil.
How long does the soup need to simmer at the end?
Let the soup simmer on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
Can I garnish this soup?
Yes, you can garnish the soup with fresh herbs just before serving for added flavor and presentation.
What type of saucepan should I use?
A large, heavy-bottomed saucepan is recommended for even heating and to prevent scorching.
Is this soup suitable for a quick meal?
Yes, because it uses pre-cooked chicken and has relatively short cooking times, it is ideal for a quick and cozy dinner.
How much butter is required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of butter.
What is the preparation for the onion and celery?
Both the onion and celery should be chopped fine, approximately 1/4 cup of each.
Can I adjust the salt in this recipe?
Yes, you should taste and adjust the seasoning, including salt, as desired before serving.
Does this recipe include garlic?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of minced garlic for extra flavor.
How much flour is needed?
You will need 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour.
What is the cooking heat for the vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed over medium heat.
Is this recipe suitable for an elegant dinner party?
Absolutely, it works perfectly as an elegant first course for a multi-course meal.
How much cooked chicken is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped cooked chicken.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, it is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken into a completely different meal.
Should the soup be boiling when I add the chicken?
The soup should reach a gentle boil first, then reduce the heat to low before stirring in the chicken.
How much milk and cream are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of light cream.