Garlic Parmesan Chicken Soup (Printable)

Creamy, comforting soup loaded with tender chicken, garlic, and Parmesan. Ready in 35 minutes 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the cooked chicken, thyme, basil, pepper, and a pinch of salt.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Stir in the milk (or half-and-half) and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and soup is creamy, about 3–4 minutes.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms leftover chicken into something that feels intentional and special
  • The broth gets this incredible richness without any heavy cream weighing it down
  • Ready in about 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Don't let the soup boil after adding the dairy or it might separate and look grainy
  • Grating your own Parmesan makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts into the broth
  • If you want a thicker soup, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water before adding the milk
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken for the most flavorful results in the least time
  • Room temperature milk incorporates more smoothly than cold dairy straight from the fridge

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