Garlic Parmesan Chicken Soup (Print Version)

Creamy, comforting soup loaded with tender chicken, garlic, and parmesan for a quick, delicious meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
07 - 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half

→ Dairy

08 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Salt, to taste

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Optional Garnishes

14 - Fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Extra Parmesan, for serving

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté 4–5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Add cooked chicken, thyme, basil, pepper, and pinch of salt. Stir well to distribute seasonings.
04 - Pour in chicken broth. Bring to gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Stir in milk or half-and-half and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until cheese melts completely and soup becomes creamy, 3–4 minutes.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Uses up leftover rotisserie chicken like a genius trick
  • Ready in under 40 minutes when you need comfort fast
  • The Parmesan creates this incredible velvety richness without heavy cream
02 -
  • Never add cheese to boiling liquid or it will separate into greasy clumps instead of melting smoothly
  • Reserve some Parmesan for serving because the flavor is most potent when freshly sprinkled on hot soup
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying pre grated for dramatically better melting
  • Use leftover roasted chicken from Sunday dinner for the deepest flavor possible

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