Creamy Chicken Broccoli Soup – Easy, Nourishing, and Family-Friendly

Chicken broccoli soup is one of those recipes that came to the rescue on a night when we were both just… done. You know those evenings? The ones where the dishes from lunch are still in the sink, the laundry’s in timeout, and you’re wondering if cereal counts as dinner (again).

That night, I opened the fridge, hoping inspiration would jump out, and instead, I found some leftover chicken, a handful of broccoli, and a block of cheddar staring back at me. Nicolas was setting the table, not expecting much, but once that pot of chicken broccoli soup started bubbling and the kitchen filled with that creamy, garlicky aroma… we both just exhaled.

This easy chicken broccoli soup isn’t fancy, but it’s everything we needed: simple, nourishing, and ready in under 30 minutes. If your family needs a warm reset at the end of a busy day, this one’s got you covered.

Let’s make something cozy, from our kitchen to yours. 💛yes

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Soup

Nora

This creamy chicken broccoli soup is simple, nourishing, and ready in under 30 minutes. A comforting, family-friendly meal that brings everyone to the table on busy nights.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 4 bowls

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• Large Soup Pot
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Box Grater

Ingredients

  

Base Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked boneless chicken shredded or chopped
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets bite-sized pieces
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 medium carrots peeled and thinly sliced

Liquids & Creaminess

• 4 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese sharp or mild

Seasoning

• salt & black pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp paprika or nutmeg optional

Instructions

 

• Prep all ingredients: chop broccoli, dice onion, mince garlic, slice carrots, and shred or chop chicken.
• In a large soup pot, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and carrots for 4–5 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic and stir for another minute. Then, add chicken (cook if raw, stir to warm if cooked).
• Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add broccoli and simmer for 10 minutes until tender.
• Reduce heat, stir in milk or half-and-half, and then cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and soup is creamy.
• Season with salt, pepper, and paprika or nutmeg if using. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

To freeze: skip adding the dairy, freeze the base, and stir in milk and cheese when reheating. Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness or a dash of hot sauce for heat.

Keyword chichen broccoli soup, Comfort Food

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Broccoli Soup

If your days are busy, your fridge is half full, and your patience is on its last spoon, this chicken broccoli soup is about to become your new weeknight hero.

Here’s why it works so well in real life (not just in Pinterest-perfect kitchens):

• Ready in under 30 minutes – Yes, really. From chopping to slurping.
• Everyday ingredients – Chicken, broccoli, broth, cheese… no stress shopping.
• One pot = less cleanup – Because you already did dishes… yesterday.
• Family-friendly – Even picky eaters go quiet when this hits the table.
• Comforting and nourishing – Creamy, cozy, and full of good stuff.

Whether you’ve had a long workday, back-to-back school runs, or just need something warm and easy, this soup gives you comfort without complication.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep it simple and stick to real, everyday ingredients, most of these are probably already in your fridge or pantry. Here’s what you’ll need for this creamy, comforting chicken broccoli soup:

Base Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked boneless chicken, shredded or chopped
  Leftover rotisserie? Perfect. Freshly cooked? Even better. Just avoid anything heavily seasoned or spiced.
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  Cut them bite-sized so they cook evenly and don’t overpower your spoon.
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

Liquids & Creaminess

• 4 cups chicken broth
  We use low-sodium so we can adjust the salt ourselves. Homemade or store-bought both work great.
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
  Half-and-half gives it that extra creamy finish. Milk works just fine if that’s what you’ve got.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  Sharp cheddar adds richness, but mild cheddar is great for kiddos.

Seasoning

• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika or a pinch of nutmeg (optional)
  Paprika adds warmth, while nutmeg gives it a classic, cozy soup flavor, especially if you’re leaning into fall vibes.

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Soup

This recipe is as straightforward as it gets, just one pot, a little stirring, and in under 30 minutes, you’ve got a pot of comfort waiting to be served.

Step 1 – Prep the Ingredients

Wash and chop your broccoli into small florets. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the carrots thin so they cook quickly. If you’re using raw chicken, cube it into small pieces. If it’s already cooked, just shred or chop it.

Tip: Prepping everything before turning on the stove makes this chicken broccoli soup a breeze.

Step 2 – Cook the Vegetables and Chicken

In a large soup pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced carrots. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Add garlic and stir for another minute, don’t skip this step, it builds the base flavor.

Then, toss in the chicken. If it’s raw, cook until it’s no longer pink. If it’s already cooked, just stir it in to heat through.

Step 3 – Add the Broth and Simmer

Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil. Add your broccoli florets, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender but still bright green.

Note: Simmering too long can make the broccoli mushy, so keep an eye on it!

Step 4 – Stir in Cream and Cheese at the End

Once the veggies are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk or half-and-half, then sprinkle in the shredded cheddar. Stir slowly until the cheese melts and the soup is creamy.

Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. If you want a thicker texture, mash a few pieces of broccoli and carrot against the side of the pot with a spoon, or add a small cornstarch slurry.

Storage & Reheating

We love recipes that taste just as good the next day, and this chicken broccoli soup is one of them. Here’s how to store and warm it up without losing that creamy texture.

Fridge

Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.

Tip: If you’re storing leftovers, avoid letting the soup sit at room temperature too long. That helps keep both flavor and food safety on point.

Reheat

To reheat, pour your chicken broccoli soup into a pot and warm it slowly over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of broth or milk.

Microwaving? Use a microwave-safe bowl, cover it loosely, and stir halfway through heating to keep the texture smooth.

Can You Freeze This Soup?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze this chicken broccoli soup, but with one small trick to keep the texture just right.

Before adding the cream and cheese, ladle out the portion you want to freeze. Dairy can sometimes separate or become grainy when reheated from frozen, so freezing the base gives you much better results.

• Let the soup cool completely.
• Portion it into airtight, freezer-safe containers or bags.
• Label and date, it’ll keep well for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen chicken broccoli soup, just thaw it overnight in the fridge, reheat gently on the stove, and stir in the cream and cheese at the end like usual.

More Cozy Soups You’ll Love

If this chicken broccoli soup brought a little comfort to your day, you’ll adore these other warm, spoon-worthy recipes from our kitchen:

Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup for Two

Cozy, creamy, and perfect for a smaller household. This is comfort food done right.

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

A nourishing, protein-packed bowl with chicken, carrots, zucchini, and broth, hearty and hydrating.

Leave a Review

Tried this recipe? We’d truly love to hear how your soup turned out.
Whether you added a little twist or followed it to the letter, your notes help other home cooks feel more confident, just like we all deserve to.

Scroll down to the comments and share your tips, stories, or even a photo of your pot bubbling away. From one busy kitchen to another, thank you for being here. 💛

Flavor Boosters & Variations

The beauty of homemade chicken broccoli soup is that it’s easy to personalize, so you can make it your own, or switch it up based on what’s in your fridge. Here are a few of our favorite ways to add variety or amp up the flavor:

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Add a Little Heat

• A pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce can bring just the right amount of kick.
• We once added a diced jalapeño by accident (long story, Nicolas thought it was a bell pepper) , and it turned out to be a spicy hit!

Brighten it Up

• A squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a fresh pop that balances the creaminess.
• You can also top with a swirl of plain Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.

Bulk It Up

• Stir in a handful of diced potatoes or white beans to make the soup even more filling.
• Leftover cooked rice or quinoa also work great, just add them at the end.

Go Bold on Flavor

• Sauté a few extra cloves of garlic with the onions. No one ever complained about too much garlic.
• Add a bay leaf or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to deepen the broth before adding cream.

Sneak in More Veggies

• Chopped spinach, kale, or even zucchini can be added with the broccoli.
• It’s a great way to get those greens in, especially with kids who trust anything hidden in cheesy soup.

This version of chicken broccoli soup is a go-to, but it’s also a great blank canvas. So feel free to play with it and make it yours.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a gourmet setup to make a great pot of chicken broccoli soup, just a few basic kitchen tools you likely already have on hand. That’s what we love about it: simple tools, real flavor.

Here’s what we use every time we make this creamy family favorite:

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
  This is the heart of the operation. A heavy-bottomed pot distributes heat evenly and keeps the chicken broccoli soup from scorching as it simmers, especially once you stir in the dairy.
• Sharp knife & cutting board
  You’ll need these for prepping the broccoli, carrots, onions, and chicken. A good knife makes the job faster (and keeps your fingers happier).
• Box grater or food processor
  Grating your own cheese makes a big difference. Pre-shredded cheese can give your soup a grainy texture, freshly grated melts beautifully into that velvety broth.
• Ladle or serving spoon
  When that pot is ready, you’ll want a sturdy ladle to scoop those chunks of broccoli, tender chicken, and melty cheese goodness into bowls.
• Airtight containers for storage
  If you’re making a double batch (which we often do), store the rest for easy lunches later in the week. Chicken broccoli soup keeps and reheats like a dream.

Final Thoughts

This chicken broccoli soup is more than just an easy dinner, it’s a bowl of warmth on a long day, a quiet moment in a loud week, and one more way to bring everyone to the table.

From our kitchen to yours,
Nora & Nicolas – The Dalim Family

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