Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup
A comforting, creamy soup simmered slowly with tender chicken and fresh broccoli, perfect for keto comfort food without the carbs. This american-inspired soups (low carb) ready in about 435 minutes pairs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, tablespoons olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups, florets broccoli
- 1 cup heavy cream
- to taste (optional) salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs on all sides (about 5 minutes per side), then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced large onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add vegetable mixture to slow cooker with chicken, along with 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until chicken is very tender.
- Step 5: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to slow cooker.
- Step 6: Stir in 4 cups broccoli florets and cook on low for 15 minutes more, until tender.
- Step 7: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and heat through (do not boil). Season with salt if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slow-Simmered Chicken and Broccoli Soup low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This soup was incredibly comforting on a cold evening. My kids loved the chicken pieces!
- ★★★★☆
The flavor was good, but the broccoli was a bit overcooked. Maybe reduce simmer time?
- ★★★★☆
Made this for my family, but it was slightly bland. I added extra herbs and it improved.
