Description
Creamy chicken parmesan soup simmers with Italian-inspired comfort, blending tender chicken, rich tomatoes, and melted cheese. Hearty ingredients meld together, offering a spoonful of warmth that brings Italian kitchen charm straight to your bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dairy and Liquid Base:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
Thickeners and Extras:
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by generously seasoning with salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side, to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Transfer the seared chicken to the crock pot and add diced onions, minced garlic, and diced tomatoes, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Pour chicken broth into the crock pot, covering the chicken and vegetables, and set the slow cooker to low heat for 4-6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and fully cooked.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the crock pot and shred using two forks, then return the shredded meat back to the cooking liquid.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, heavy cream, whole milk, and cream cheese until smooth, eliminating any potential lumps that could affect the soup’s texture.
- Gradually stir the cream mixture into the crock pot, blending it thoroughly with the existing ingredients to create a rich, velvety consistency.
- Add sour cream and grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to ensure even distribution and prevent separation.
- Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 30 minutes on low heat, letting the flavors meld and the soup thicken to a creamy, luxurious state.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the soup for a crunchy contrast, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley just before serving.
- Ladle the hot, creamy chicken parmesan soup into bowls and enjoy immediately, savoring the complex layers of flavor and comforting texture.
Notes
- Swap protein by using turkey or plant-based chicken alternatives for dietary flexibility and diverse meal options.
- Reduce dairy content by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk for lighter, lactose-free versions.
- Create crispy texture variations by topping soup with homemade croutons, toasted pine nuts, or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for added crunch.
- Enhance nutritional profile by adding extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking for increased vitamins and minerals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 586
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 978mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 165mg