Are you searching for a meal that is both comforting and completely aligned with your low-carb lifestyle? Look no further. This Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup is the answer to your cravings. It delivers all the rich, creamy satisfaction of a classic comfort food without the carbs that can throw you off track. Imagine a velvety, savory broth loaded with tender chicken and a hint of cheesy goodness. It’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out, making it perfect for a chilly evening, a quick weeknight dinner, or a satisfying lunch.
Moreover, this recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, relying on common ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned keto pro or just starting your journey, this soup is a foolproof way to enjoy a delicious, filling meal that the whole family will love. Therefore, let’s dive into what makes this soup so special and how you can whip up a batch in your own kitchen today.
Why This Is the Best Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup
Not all keto soups are created equal. This particular recipe stands out for its perfect balance of flavor, texture, and simplicity. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a versatile dish that proves you don’t have to sacrifice taste for your health goals. Here are a few reasons why you’ll find yourself making this soup again and again.
Incredibly Creamy and Satisfying
The star of this soup is, without a doubt, the cream cheese. When melted into the warm chicken broth and combined with heavy cream, it creates a luxuriously smooth and velvety texture that is simply irresistible. This richness makes the soup incredibly filling, helping to curb hunger and keep you satisfied for hours. Unlike thinner, broth-based soups, this one has a hearty quality that feels truly indulgent.
Perfectly Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly
Staying in ketosis requires careful tracking of your carbohydrate intake. Fortunately, this soup is designed to be ultra-low in carbs. By avoiding traditional thickeners like flour or cornstarch and using keto-friendly ingredients like cream cheese and heavy cream, we keep the net carb count to a minimum. This allows you to enjoy a generous bowl without any guilt or worry about derailing your progress. It’s pure comfort food, keto-style.
Quick, Easy, and Made in One Pot
Weeknight dinners need to be fast and hassle-free. This recipe delivers on both fronts. Everything comes together in a single pot, which means less time cooking and, more importantly, less time cleaning up. You can have this delicious soup on the table in about 30 minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. It’s the perfect solution for those busy days when you need something nutritious and quick.
A Versatile and Customizable Recipe
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it also serves as a wonderful base for your own culinary creativity. You can easily customize it to suit your tastes or use up ingredients you have on hand. For example, you can add different vegetables, spice it up with some jalapeños, or top it with crispy bacon. We’ll explore some of these fun variations later in the article.
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The Ultimate Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup: A Creamy, Low-Carb Dream
This Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup is a rich, velvety low-carb delight loaded with tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy broth. Quick to make, ultra-satisfying, and perfect for chilly nights or easy weeknight meals.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional garnish: Fresh chives, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon
Instructions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
2. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to infuse flavor.
3. Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and broth is smooth and creamy.
4. Slowly stir in heavy whipping cream. Add thyme, salt, and black pepper. If using xanthan gum, sprinkle it in while whisking to avoid clumps.
5. Stir in cooked, shredded chicken and let simmer on low for 5–10 minutes until heated through. Do not boil.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with chives, cheddar cheese, or bacon if desired.
Notes
Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time.
Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding for the smoothest texture.
For a thicker soup, simmer a little longer or add extra cream cheese.
Add jalapeños, mushrooms, spinach, or cauliflower rice for variety.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat while stirring.
Avoid freezing if possible, as cream-based soups may separate when thawed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Ingredients
To create this rich and savory soup, you’ll need a handful of simple, keto-friendly ingredients. Gathering everything beforehand makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great, or use leftovers from this garlic parmesan chicken recipe)
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for extra thickness)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: Fresh chives, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time. For best results, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it melts smoothly into the broth.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook until they become soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it is fragrant.
- Create the Broth Base: Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors from the vegetables to infuse the broth.
- Melt the Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed, softened cream cheese to the pot. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and the broth is smooth and creamy. It’s important to keep the heat low to prevent the soup from curdling.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream while continuing to whisk. Stir in the dried thyme, salt, and pepper. If you are using xanthan gum for a thicker consistency, sprinkle it in now while whisking vigorously to prevent clumps.
- Add the Chicken: Stir in the shredded chicken and let the soup simmer gently on low heat for another 5-10 minutes. This allows the chicken to heat through and the flavors to meld together. Do not let the soup come to a rolling boil.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes, such as fresh chives, shredded cheddar cheese, or crispy bacon bits.
For a quick overview, here is a summary of the cooking process:
| Step | Action | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sauté Aromatics | Cook onion and celery in butter until soft before adding garlic. |
| 2 | Add Broth | Pour in chicken broth and simmer to build flavor. |
| 3 | Incorporate Cream Cheese | Whisk in softened cream cheese on low heat until fully melted. |
| 4 | Add Cream & Season | Slowly stir in heavy cream, seasonings, and optional xanthan gum. |
| 5 | Add Chicken | Stir in cooked, shredded chicken and simmer gently to heat through. |
| 6 | Serve | Ladle into bowls and top with desired garnishes. |
Tips and Variations for the Best Creamy Soup
One of the best things about this soup is how easily you can adapt it. Here are some tips and variations to help you make it your own and ensure it turns out perfectly every time.
Make it Spicy
If you like a little heat, this soup is a fantastic canvas for spice. You can add a diced jalapeño along with the onion and celery at the beginning of the cooking process. Alternatively, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred in at the end can provide a nice kick of warmth that complements the creamy base.
Add More Vegetables
While the classic recipe is simple, you can easily boost the nutritional content by adding more low-carb vegetables. For example, sautéed mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or a few handfuls of fresh spinach stirred in at the end until it wilts are all excellent additions. Cauliflower rice is another great option to add texture and bulk without adding significant carbs.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This soup makes for fantastic leftovers. To store it, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat. Avoid boiling it, as high heat can cause cream-based soups to separate. You may need to whisk it a bit as it warms up to restore its smooth consistency.
What to Serve with Your Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup
This soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of keto-friendly sides. A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a fresh, acidic contrast to the rich soup. In addition, keto-friendly bread or crackers are perfect for dipping. Consider a slice of toasted keto almond flour bread or some savory seed crackers to complete your comforting meal.
Finally, serving it alongside a plate of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus can turn this simple soup into a well-rounded and elegant dinner. The key is to choose sides that complement the creamy texture without adding unnecessary carbohydrates.
In conclusion, this Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup recipe is a must-try for anyone following a low-carb diet. It’s a delicious, comforting, and incredibly easy meal that proves you don’t have to give up your favorite flavors. With its rich and creamy texture, it’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure, keto-friendly comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Chicken Cream Cheese Soup
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Unfortunately, this specific recipe relies heavily on dairy for its creamy texture and flavor profile, with cream cheese and heavy cream being central ingredients. While you could experiment with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese, the taste and texture would be significantly different. It’s best to seek out a recipe specifically developed to be dairy-free for the best results.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Soups with a high dairy content, especially those with cream cheese, do not always freeze well. The texture can become grainy or separate upon thawing and reheating. While you can freeze it, the quality may be compromised. If you choose to freeze it, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it very gently on the stove, whisking constantly to help emulsify it again.
How can I thicken the soup without xanthan gum?
If you don’t have xanthan gum, you can thicken the soup naturally by several methods. First, you can simply let it simmer on low heat for a little longer, which will allow some of the liquid to evaporate and the soup to reduce. Another option is to add an extra ounce or two of cream cheese, which will contribute to a thicker consistency. Finally, you could whisk in a tablespoon of psyllium husk powder, but use it sparingly as it can affect the texture.
