Description
Heartwarming chicken mushroom leek soup delivers comfort in a single spoonful, combining earthy mushrooms with tender chicken and delicate leeks. Creamy broth and aromatic herbs promise a nourishing meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 0.5 lbs chicken thighs
Vegetables:
- 2 large leeks
- 1 lb mushrooms
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse leeks, mushrooms, carrots, and celery under cool running water, then meticulously chop into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Season chicken breast and thighs with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, carefully sear chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from pot, let rest briefly, then slice into delicate strips.
- In the same pot, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add chopped leeks, carrots, and celery, cooking until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate sliced mushrooms, continuing to cook until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized appearance.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, introducing dried thyme and bay leaves.
- Bring liquid to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld together for 15-20 minutes.
- Reduce heat, stir in heavy cream and sliced chicken, warming thoroughly without boiling.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Select leeks with firm, bright green tops and white bases for the freshest flavor and optimal texture in the soup.
- Clean leeks meticulously by slicing lengthwise and rinsing under running water to remove trapped soil between layers.
- Consider using a mix of mushroom varieties like shiitake and cremini to enhance depth and complexity of the soup’s umami profile.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg