Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups (960ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound (450g) cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- ½ cup (80g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach leaves
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for a thicker soup)
- ½ cup (120ml) white wine (for added depth)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for a smoky flavor)
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sauté until softened (about 3–4 minutes).
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes to release their flavor.
Step 3: Add Chicken & Cream
- Add shredded chicken and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Finish & Serve
- Stir in fresh spinach and let it wilt for 1–2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, thicken the soup by stirring in the cornstarch mixture and simmering for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Garnish & Enjoy!
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread or garlic breadsticks.
Notes
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Make it Low-Carb/Keto: Omit cornstarch and sun-dried tomatoes, and use a low-carb thickener if needed.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg