Smoky Potato and Leek Soup with Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

A velvety potato soup with sweet leeks and a subtle smokiness from smoked paprika, finished with a touch of fresh chives for brightness. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs potatoes, leek, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 4 medium, peeled and diced potatoes
• 2, white and light green parts only, sliced leek
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped dill
• 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 sliced leeks and 1 diced medium onion, and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 4 cups chicken broth, 4 diced medium potatoes, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
3. Step 3: Remove 1 cup of the soup and set aside. Puree the remaining soup in batches until smooth using an immersion blender. Return the puree to the pot, add the reserved soup, and stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cook 2 minutes until warmed through. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh dill, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve topped with 2 tablespoons fresh chives.