Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Chicken (Kid-Friendly)
Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe Let’s make this easy, creamy, nutritious, and delicious healthy broccoli cheddar soup recipe with chicken. This broccoli cheddar soup healthy version is particularly kid-friendly. My kids swear by this recipe (I mean, they don’t swear, but you know what I mean. They do LOVE this soup)! Listen, this healthier broccoli cheddar…
Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Let’s make this easy, creamy, nutritious, and delicious healthy broccoli cheddar soup recipe with chicken. This broccoli cheddar soup healthy version is particularly kid-friendly. My kids swear by this recipe (I mean, they don’t swear, but you know what I mean. They do LOVE this soup)!
Listen, this healthier broccoli cheddar soup recipe is worth double batching and then packing in containers and freezing for whenever you want a hearty, healthy, warming soup. We enjoy broccoli cheddar soup with chicken all year round, especially during the Fall season (cold season)! If you love soup as we do here, be sure also to check out our gluten-free + dairy-free chicken pot pie soup and autumn squash soup (Panera copycat).
I know you didn’t ask me, however, if you wish to know how to make broccoli cheddar soup better. I say add some chicken to it! Chicken made this healthier broccoli extraordinarily finger-licking delicious!
Benefits of Broccoli:
- Broccoli is a superfood. It is a cruciferous vegetable with certain compounds that can diminish cell damage.
- This vegetable may protect against certain cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, kidney/bladder, etc. The research on the exact role broccoli plays in cancer prevention or cure is still not very conclusive at this time.
- Broccoli supports good digestive health while also reducing constipation. Due to broccoli’s high fiber content (like most vegetables), it helps you to maintain bowel regularity.
- According to research conducted on older citizens, broccoli equally supports healthy brain and mental function.
- The high vitamin C content of broccoli also provides more immunity to the body as well as lower blood sugar.
What’s Good with Broccoli Cheddar Soup
In reality, broccoli cheese soup is a hit in most families, including mine! Not only do the kids enjoy eating it, but my husband and yours truly also adore it. My entire family is always excited about broccoli, so making broccoli cheddar soup is exciting.
WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS SOUP:
Why You Will Love This Kid-Friendly Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Kids love this recipe; my children really do enjoy it.
- This quick and easy recipe of healthy and hearty broccoli cheddar soup is full of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
- You can easily make this recipe keto by not adding the carrots and flour (by the way, I use only two tablespoons of flour).
- This broccoli cheddar soup only needs a little bitty flour (as mentioned above)!
- Loaded with carrots, this healthy kid-friendly broccoli soup calls for two cups of shredded carrots.
- This soup is perfect for the body and soul (lol, but, seriously it is!).
- Alongside broccoli, you will also need some sautéed chicken (high-quality protein), which is entirely optional but highly necessary. It helps this dish to become completely balanced nutrition.
- This broccoli cheddar soup is low-carb and equally low-calories at only 331 calories per serving.
Ingredients For Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Homemade chicken broth (salted and well-seasoned)
- Water
- Boneless chicken Thighs
- Heavy cream
- Sharp Cheddar cheese
- Olive oil
- A little flour
- Onions
- Garlic
- Maggi or Knorr Bouillon (optional)
- Salt
- Teaspoon black pepper
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP (Step-by-Step)
This quick and easy recipe of healthy and hearty broccoli cheddar soup is full of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Serve by itself or with garlic bread and crackers.
- Cut
Cut the vegetables – broccoli, shred the carrot, cut the onions, grate/mince the garlic, and cut the chicken.
- Sautee Chicken
Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a clean hot pan, and sauté the chicken until fully cooked and set aside—season with salt, black pepper, and dry thyme.
- Onions and Garlic
Using the same pot, add more olive oil (about one tablespoon or more), add onions, saute a little, and add garlic.
- Add Broth
Then add the chicken broth, allow to simmer, and then add the carrots—season with a little salt and pepper. Simmer.
- Add Broccoli and Cream
Add broccoli, water, and Knorr bouillon, and stir to combine. Then add the cream, give a good stir, cover, and cook on low-medium for 15 minutes or until broccoli softens. Then, dissolve two tablespoons of flour in 1/2 cup of water and stir it in.
- Blend some of the Soup (optional step)
(Place the heat on low). Scoop some of the soup into a blender, blend/purée, and then return back to the pot. This step is optional, but I love it for a creamier, less chunky consistency. Remember, this is a kid-friendly broccoli cheddar soup version.
- Add the Chicken
Stir in the sautéed chicken breast, taste, and adjust the flavor of your soup!
- Add Cheese
Finally, add the sharp cheddar cheese. I like sharp cheddar for my broccoli cheese soup for maximum flavor. Gently stir, and your delicious healthy broccoli cheddar soup is ready. Serve by itself or with garlic bread and crackers.
How to Store Leftover Broccoli Soup
Unless you serve up to eight people when you make this soup, you will likely have leftovers. Tip: store in small individual containers.
Refrigerator: Place leftover soup in clean air-fight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Easily reheat in the microwave or stovetop.
Freezer: Alternatively, place the soup in clean air-tight containers and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to allow it to thaw completely and come to room temperature before heating up. If reheating in the microwave, warm up at 30 seconds intervals. This prevents your healthy broccoli cheddar soup from curdling.
RECIPE NOTES:
- To reduce fat, use 2% percent skim milk cheddar cheese (or you can stick with a full-fat cheese totally up to you).
- Also, feel free to opt for half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream.
- I used olive oil; however, you can use butter.
- Blending some of the soup is optional. However, I highly suggest it, especially if you have kids to feed. Chunky broccoli florets will likely discourage kids from enjoying this soup. I typically blend about 1/2 – 3/4 of the soup. However, you can start by just blending 1/4 of the soup to see if you like it.
- You should expect this soup’s color to change to a bit greener after blending some parts.
- If you use sodium-free chicken broth, you may have to add more salt. I used my homemade chicken broth, which was well-salted and seasoned. I added less than 1/2 teaspoon of salt to this cheddar soup. Always add salt to your preference.
- Knorr Bouillon is optional.
- If you want a thicker soup, use less liquid and add more flour.
FAQs
If you indeed have any questions regarding this easy, creamy, nutritious broccoli cheddar soup (with fewer calories than regular ones), I have answers.
No, this broccoli Cheese soup is not keto. However, you can easily make it keto by excluding carrots and flour. On the other hand, this broccoli cheddar cheese soup is low-carb and low-calorie at only 331 calories per serving.
Absolutely YES! This broccoli cheddar cheese soup recipe is healthy. I mean healthier than other recipes you see online! Generally, what determines if soups are healthy is the ingredients. This soup contains broccoli, carrots, and chicken, all of which are healthy ingredients.
Broccoli cheddar cheese soup leftovers will be good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or 3 months in the freezer. To store leftovers, first, place leftover soup in clean air-fight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Easily reheat in the microwave or stovetop.
Cheddar, Gruyère, fontina, and Monterey are all great melting cheeses you can add to soup.
Cheeses may not melt well if they aren’t very fresh. If possible, shred fresh cheese for this soup! Some pre-grated cheese may contain anti-caking agents. If using pre-grated cheddar Cheese, I suggest buying organic.
HOW TO MAKE THIS COZY SOUP RECIPE:
Print
Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Chicken (Kid-Friendly)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Easy, creamy, nutritious, and delicious healthy broccoli cheddar soup recipe with chicken is the best soup recipe for Fall or any time of the year. This broccoli cheddar soup healthy version is particularly kid-friendly.
Double batch this healthier broccoli cheddar soup recipe, pack them up in containers and freeze them for a hearty, healthy, warming soup whenever you want. We enjoy broccoli cheddar soup with chicken all year round, especially during the cold season!
Ingredients
- 2 big heads of broccoli; about 4-5 cups (not sure).
- 2 cups of shredded fresh carrot
- 3 cups of homemade chicken broth
- 3 boneless chicken thighs; (optional but necessary)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1½ cups of cheddar cheese
- ½ – 1 cup onions (chopped)
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (use one tablespoon to sauté the chicken and use 1 – 2 to cook the soup)
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 1 Maggi cube or 1 teaspoon of knorr bouillon (optional)
- ½–1 teaspoon of salt (I used ½ cos my chicken broth is seasoned)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut. Cut the vegetables – broccoli, shred the carrot, cut the onions, grate/mince the garlic, and cut the chicken.
- Sautee chicken. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a clean hot pan, and sauté the chicken until fully cooked and set aside—season with salt, black pepper, and dry thyme.
- Onions and Garlic. Using the same pot, add more olive oil (about one tablespoon or more), add onions, saute a little, and add garlic.
- Add Broth. Then add the chicken broth, allow to simmer, and then add the carrots—season with a little salt and pepper. Simmer.
- Add Broccoli and Cream. Add broccoli, water, and Knorr bouillon, and stir to combine. Then add the cream, give a good stir, cover, and cook on low-medium for 15 minutes or until broccoli softens. Then, dissolve two tablespoons of flour in 1/2 cup of water and stir it in.
- Blend some of the soup (optional step). (Place the heat on low). Scoop some of the broccoli cheddar soup into a blender, blend/purée, and then return back to the pot. This step is optional, but I love it for a creamier, less chunky consistency. Remember, this is a kid-friendly broccoli cheddar soup version.
- Add the Chicken. Stir in the sautéed chicken breast, taste, and adjust the flavor of your soup!
- Add Cheese. Finally, add the sharp cheddar cheese. I like sharp cheddar for my broccoli cheese soup for maximum flavor. Gently stir, and your delicious healthy broccoli cheddar soup is ready. Serve by itself or with garlic bread and crackers.
- WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS SOUP BELOW ⬇️
Notes
To reduce fat, use 2% percent skim milk cheddar cheese (or you can stick with a full-fat cheese totally up to you).
Also, feel free to opt for half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream.
I used olive oil; however, you can use butter.
Blending some of the soup is optional. However, I highly suggest it, especially if you have kids to feed. Chunky broccoli florets will likely discourage kids from enjoying this soup. I typically blend about 1/2 – 3/4 of the soup.
You should expect this soup’s color to change to a bit greener after blending some parts.
If you use sodium-free chicken broth, you may have to add more salt. I used my homemade chicken broth, which was well-salted and seasoned. I added less than 1/2 teaspoon of salt to this cheddar soup. Always add salt to your preference.
Knorr Bouillon is optional.
If you want a thicker soup, use less liquid and add more flour.
MORE COZY + HEALTHY SOUP RECIPES TO TRY:
Healthy Gluten-free + Dairy-free Chicken Pot Pie Soup. A perfect healthy chicken pot pie soup that is creamy, cozy, comforting, hearty, and very satisfying; this soup is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, low-carb, and whole30-friendly.
Autumn Squash Soup (Panera Copycat) Easy autumn squash soup Panera copycat is rich, nutritious, comforting, and satisfyingly delicious while being vegan!
Chicken Coconut Milk Soup Recipe. The best thing about this chicken coconut soup is that it cooks in no time! Equally, it is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and irresistibly finger-licking good!
Healthy Mango Chicken Coconut Curry Recipe. This creamiest and yummiest mango chicken coconut curry is the best mango chicken slash coconut curry you need! An easy weekday lunch or dinner your entire family will love, this mango curry is best served with white rice!
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While you are still here, grab my FREE (5) spinach salad recipe bundle. It would be a great addition to your dinner table (if you like salads) or you are looking to incorporate more veggies. Get the recipes here.
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