Grandma's Hug-in-a-Bowl: Creamy Chicken Soup

Need a hug? This creamy chicken soup is like Grandma's best! Tender chicken, creamy broth, and a secret sherry kiss. Get the recipe now!

May 24, 2025
By Sally Thompson.

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Alright, gather 'round, foodies! ever crave a proper bowl of comfort? i do! today, we're diving headfirst into a recipe that's basically a warm hug in a bowl.

Get ready for my creamy chicken soup recipe that'll knock your socks off. it’s that good, honestly.

Why This Creamy Chicken Soup is the Bee's Knees

You know, creamy chicken and rice soup is a classic for a reason. but this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill chicken rice soup .

This is next level . we're talkin' velvety smooth, packed with flavour, and so comforting it'll make you wanna curl up on the sofa with a good book.

It's the perfect comfort soup on a chilly evening, right?

This recipe is inspired by the wholesome goodness of old-fashioned food soup . it's a bit of nostalgia. a little bit of home.

And it's surprisingly easy to make! it takes about 20 minutes of prep, 45 minutes of cooking, and feeds 6-8 hungry souls.

Imagine the aroma wafting through your house...bliss, pure bliss. this delicious soup recipe is genuinely the ultimate winter warmer, and it will become a quick go to.

The magic? it's all in the creamy broth and the quality of ingredients. i personally swear by using a good chicken stock.

I mean, seriously, the stock makes the soup. and let's not forget that touch of sherry, that's my secret to level up the homemade soup recipe .

You can skip it, but trust me, it adds a special something, something magical.

The Ingredients: What You'll Need

Right, let's get down to brass tacks. before you ask, there are a million versions of crockpot soup and crockpot soup recipes .

But, this is not one of them, this is a stovetop soup. here’s what you’ll need to create this bowl of goodness:

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to get things started.
• One medium yellow onion diced to perfection.
• Two diced carrots, peeled of course!
• Two diced celery stalks for a subtle crunch.
• Two cloves of minced garlic because we need the flavor.
• A blend of dried herbs: 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon sage.
• Eight cups of low-sodium chicken broth.
• One pound of cooked chicken, shredded to perfection.
• One cup of proper full-fat heavy cream.
• One-half cup of all-purpose flour to thicken.
• And, of course, the optional, 1/4 cup of sherry, go on, you know you want to!
• Plus a cup of frozen peas and half a cup of freshly chopped parsley.
• Finally, add a dash of salt and pepper to season.

And that, my friends, is the shopping list. Next, we're tackling the cooking process. Ready to get started?

Alright then, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this amazing creamy chicken soup . this is not just any chicken rice soup , it’s a bowl full of comfort, trust me.

Ingredients: Your Shopping List for Comfort

Think of these as your building blocks. Quality matters, especially for the chicken! It transforms your food soup to a bowl of happiness!

Main Ingredients: Building Blocks of Flavor

• Butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . Unsalted is best.
• Onion: 1 medium (about 1 cup diced). Yellow onion gives it that classic soup flavour.
• Carrots: 2 medium (about 1 cup diced). Bright orange carrots, please.
• Celery: 2 stalks (about 1 cup diced). Adds that essential savory note.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always better.
• Chicken Broth: 8 cups (1.9 liters) . Low sodium lets you control the salt.
• Cooked Chicken: 1 pound (450g) , shredded. Rotisserie chicken is my secret weapon!
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240 ml) . The creamy chicken and rice soup wouldn’t be the same without it!
• All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup (60g) . For thickening things up, you know?
• Dry Sherry: 1/4 cup (60 ml) . Optional, but oh my gosh , it adds depth!
• Frozen Peas: 1 cup (100g) . Adds a pop of sweetness and colour.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/2 cup (50g) , chopped. For freshness.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Seasoning is key!.

Seasoning Notes: A Pinch of This, A Dash of That

It's all about the right balance!.

• Essential Spice Combo: Thyme ( 1/2 teaspoon ), rosemary, and sage ( 1/4 teaspoon each ). This brings that comfort soup taste.
• Flavor Enhancers: Sherry (if you're feeling fancy) and a good chicken broth. Don't underestimate the power of good broth!.
• Quick Subs: No sherry? A splash of lemon juice will do. No fresh herbs? Dried ones work too, just use less.

Grandma's Hug-in-a-Bowl: Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
• 1 pound (450g) cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry sherry (optional)
• 1 cup (100g) frozen peas
• 1/2 cup (50g) chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Stir in thyme, rosemary, and sage. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and flour until smooth, creating a slurry. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly whisk the cream mixture into the simmering broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
• Stir in shredded chicken and sherry (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the soup has thickened to your liking. Stir in frozen peas and parsley just before serving.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple, Stupid!

• Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven: For simmering everything together.
• Cutting Board and Chef's Knife: For chopping those veggies.
• Whisk: To avoid lumpy sauce.

Think of making this homemade soup recipe as a chance to get creative! feel free to add rice to make this creamy chicken and rice , or change anything you want.

. this delicious soup recipe is very adaptable.

Right then, let's get this creamy chicken soup sorted! consider this my meticulously crafted blueprint for the perfect bowl of comfort.

This is the perfect remedy for a chilly evening or a bout of the sniffles . "soup is a lot like a family.

Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch holds its own secrets."

Prep Like a Pro: The Mise en Place Magic

Honestly, good prep is half the battle. it's essential mise en place . dice 1 medium yellow onion , 2 medium carrots , and 2 celery stalks .

Mince 2 cloves of garlic . get out your 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of dried rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon of dried sage .

Time-Saving Tip : Chop the veg ahead of time. I swear, it makes cooking so much more relaxing.

Let's Get Cooking: Step-by-Step

Alright, listen up! Here’s how to nail this Homemade Soup Recipe .

1. Sauté: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5- 7 minutes , until softened. Add garlic, cook for another 1 minute .
2. Herbs and Broth : Stir in thyme, rosemary, and sage. Pour in 8 cups of chicken broth . Bring it to a simmer.
3. The Creamy Secret : Whisk 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of flour until smooth. Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk this into the simmering broth. Watch out for lumps.
4. Chicken Time : Stir in 1 pound of shredded cooked chicken and 1/4 cup of sherry (trust me on this). Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer : Simmer for 10- 15 minutes , until thickened. Stir in 1 cup of frozen peas and 1/2 cup of chopped parsley just before serving.

Pro Tips for Delicious Soup Recipes

Want to take your Chicken Rice Soup to the next level? Here’s the inside scoop:

• Don’t boil the soup after adding cream. This is how you get a curdled mess. No one wants that! Keep it low and slow.
• Good broth is key. Homemade is amazing, but good shop-bought broth works too. The broth can determine the flavor of your soup.
• A little sherry will bring this comfort soup to a whole new level of flavor and depths.

And there you have it, your own slice of grandma's hug-in-a-bowl . enjoy! honestly, this creamy chicken and rice soup is pure food soup magic and it is a staple crockpot soup recipe for my family, especially as my family is a big fan of crockpot soup recipes .

Alright, let's talk Recipe Notes for this amazing Creamy Chicken Soup ! This part's important, folks. It's where we fine-tune this bad boy.

Serving Up Sunshine: Suggestions

Honestly, presentation matters. Ladle your Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup into a pretty bowl. A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes it pop, you know? A dollop of sour cream or a swirl of pesto? Bangin'!

For sides, think simple. crusty bread for dunking is always a winner. or a grilled cheese sandwich? oh my gosh, yes.

Want to be healthy? a side salad works wonders. it is the perfect food soup to give some comfort.

Storing Secrets: Keeping it Fresh

Leftover chicken rice soup is basically lunch for the next day. refrigerate it in an airtight container and it'll be good for 3-4 days.

That’s the best part of a homemade soup recipe

Freezing is an option. but! creamy soups can sometimes get a bit weird texture-wise after freezing. so, bear that in mind.

Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Variations on a Theme: Your Soup, Your Way

Got dietary needs? No worries. For a dairy-free version, swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk. It gives it a slightly different flavor, but still delicious.

Want it veggie? Ditch the chicken and throw in some chickpeas or white beans.

Seasonal swaps? Absolutely. In the autumn, roast some butternut squash and add it in. Seriously good. Or try using different herbs like tarragon!

Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness in a Bowl

Okay, i am not a nutritionist. but this comfort soup is packed with protein from the chicken and vitamins from the veggies.

Plus, chicken soup is basically the ultimate cold remedy. it works, trust me! try to add the best ingredients for delicious soup recipes , and be careful to add what you like.

This Crockpot Soup is a gift to your health.

This Crockpot Soup Recipes and others, are made with love.

So there you have it! All the little extras to make your creamy chicken soup the best it can be. Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking!