Easy Homemade Chicken Potato Soup Recipe That Warms Your Soul

Hearty chicken potato soup warms every corner of the kitchen with its irresistible aroma.

Winters demand comfort in a bowl, and this recipe delivers pure coziness.

Tender chicken chunks mingle with soft potato pieces, creating a luxurious texture that soothes the soul.

Rich broth carries deep, satisfying flavors that dance across your palate.

Herbs and spices weave magic into each spoonful, promising a culinary experience beyond ordinary soup.

Perfectly balanced and deeply nourishing, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable meal.

You’ll find yourself craving this delightful recipe again and again.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Potato Soup

• Follows an easy, step-by-step method that guides home cooks through each stage of soup preparation, making it approachable for both novice and experienced chefs.
• Builds rich, complex taste by using techniques like rendering bacon fat, searing chicken, and incorporating multiple seasonings such as Worcestershire and hot sauce.
• Offers a hearty, adaptable soup perfect for warming up on chilly days, with options to adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit personal preferences.
• Streamlines cooking by using the same pot for multiple steps, reducing cleanup time and creating a convenient meal that minimizes kitchen mess and dishwashing.

What Goes Into Chicken Potato Soup

• Chicken: Tender meat that provides the main protein source for the soup.
• Bacon: Adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the dish.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Create a flavorful base with traditional mirepoix aromatics.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall depth of flavor in the soup.
• Potatoes: Provide hearty texture and help thicken the soup.

• Chicken Broth: Forms the primary liquid base of the soup.
• Half-and-Half: Adds richness and creates a creamy consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the soup, providing a smooth and tangy flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce: Add complexity and a slight kick to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken and preventing sticking.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the soup and create a smooth texture.

How to Prepare Chicken Potato Soup

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Slice bacon strips into halves and cook slowly over low heat in your soup pot.

Allow bacon to become golden and crisp.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel, reserving two tablespoons of bacon drippings.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in the same pot.

Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides.

Remove chicken and let rest briefly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped carrots
• Sliced celery

Cook for five minutes until vegetables soften.

Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings.

Cook for additional two minutes.

Step 4: Thicken with Flour

Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture.

Stir and cook for two minutes until raw flour smell disappears.

Step 5: Create Soup Base

Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, stirring constantly and scraping bottom to release browned bits.

Add half-and-half, continuing to stir.

Step 6: Simmer Potatoes and Chicken

Peel and dice potatoes.

Add potatoes and chicken pieces to the pot.

Bring to gentle boil, then reduce to simmer.

Cook for 20 minutes until potatoes become tender.

Step 7: Finish with Cheese and Bacon

Lower heat.

Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until soup becomes creamy.

Mix in half of bacon bits.

Sprinkle remaining bacon on top when serving.

Tips for a Hearty Chicken Soup

• Save two tablespoons of bacon drippings for incredible flavor depth and prevent waste while enhancing the soup's richness.
• Create golden-brown exterior by seasoning generously and using high heat, ensuring maximum flavor before adding to the soup.
• Add flour gradually and cook briefly to eliminate raw taste, which helps create a smooth, velvety consistency without lumps.
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for better texture and ability to absorb surrounding flavors in the soup.
• Stir cheese on low heat to prevent separation and maintain creamy smoothness, then sprinkle remaining bacon bits on top for textural contrast.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Chicken Potato Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the flavor.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing dairy-based soups as they may separate when thawed.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when the soup reaches 165°F to ensure food safety and maintain creamy texture.
• Pour soup into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching and heat until steaming hot, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Side Dishes That Go with Chicken Potato Soup

• Enhance Bacon Crunch: Pair crispy bacon bits with a hoppy IPA beer to complement the soup's smoky depth and cut through its creamy richness.
• Cheese Lover's Match: Select a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that balances the sharp cheddar's tang and matches the soup's velvety texture.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Serve with a light arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to provide a bright, peppery contrast against the hearty soup.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Offer toasted sourdough or a crusty french baguette to soak up the soup's delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch.

Unique Add-Ons for Chicken Potato Soup

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content, maintaining similar texture and absorbing soup flavors perfectly.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap half-and-half with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of cheddar cheese for a creamy, lactose-free option that still delivers rich flavor.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or white beans, using vegetable broth and adding smoked paprika for depth, while keeping bacon bits optional or replacing with coconut bacon.
• Gluten-Free Modification: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking broth and Worcestershire sauce labels.

FAQs

• Why sear the chicken before adding it to the soup?

Searing the chicken creates a golden-brown exterior that locks in flavor and adds a rich, caramelized taste to the soup. It also helps develop deeper flavor profiles before the chicken finishes cooking in the broth.

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While cheddar provides a sharp, creamy flavor, you can substitute with monterey jack, gruyere, or a blend of cheeses. Just choose a cheese that melts well and complements the soup’s savory profile.

• How do I prevent the soup from becoming too thick?

If the soup becomes too thick, simply add a bit more chicken broth or half-and-half to thin it out. Stir gradually and taste as you go to maintain the perfect consistency. The flour helps thicken the soup, so be careful not to add too much liquid at once.

• Is it necessary to use both Worcestershire and hot sauce?

These sauces add depth and complexity to the soup’s flavor. Worcestershire brings a subtle umami taste, while hot sauce provides a gentle kick. If you prefer, you can reduce the amount or omit one, but they contribute significantly to the overall taste profile.

Chicken Potato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty chicken potato soup, where tender chunks of chicken and creamy potatoes dance in a rich, soul-warming broth. Spoon by spoon, you’ll savor a bowl of pure comfort that wraps around your senses like a warm embrace.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs)
• 6 strips thick cut bacon
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion (diced)
• ¾ cup carrots (diced)
• 2 ribs celery (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• Green onions (to garnish)
• 1 ½ lbs yukon gold potatoes (or red potatoes)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter (not needed if bacon drippings are used)
• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Render bacon slowly in the soup pot over low heat, cutting strips in half for even cooking. Transfer crisp pieces to a paper towel, reserving two tablespoons of drippings.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in olive oil until golden brown. Remove and let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
3. Utilize bacon drippings to sauté onions, carrots, and celery for five minutes until softened. Incorporate garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings, cooking for an additional two minutes.
4. Introduce flour to the vegetable mixture, stirring for two minutes to eliminate raw flour aroma and prepare for thickening.
5. Gradually integrate chicken broth, scraping pot bottom to capture flavor-rich brown bits. Smoothly blend in half-and-half while stirring continuously.
6. Add diced potatoes and previously seared chicken to the liquid base. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes become tender.
7. Lower heat and fold in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Incorporate half the bacon bits, reserving remaining pieces for garnishing when serving.

Notes

• Low and slow cooking renders fat perfectly, creating crispy texture and deep flavor without burning.
• Use high heat for golden-brown exterior, ensuring juicy meat that develops rich caramelized notes.
• Sautéing vegetables in bacon drippings amplifies the soup’s overall depth and complexity of taste.
• ooking flour briefly eliminates raw taste and helps create a smooth, velvety soup consistency.
• Scrape browned bits from pot bottom to unlock concentrated flavor molecules that enhance entire dish.
• Cut potatoes uniformly for even cooking, ensuring tender texture throughout the soup.
• Reduce heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain creamy, silky texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 23g
• Cholesterol: 95mg