Hearty Keto Chicken Soup: Perfect Low-Carb Comfort Food

What’s in a Keto Chicken Soup?

If you’re searching for a tasty and comforting soup that fits your keto diet, look no further—this creamy keto chicken soup recipe is just right! 

This low-carb version of traditional creamy chicken soup offers a satisfying meal that sticks to your dietary goals. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, you can enjoy a flavorful bowl of soup that’s completely keto-friendly.

This keto chicken soup is a delicious low-carb option, packed with protein and healthy fats, perfect for anyone on a ketogenic journey. Imagine tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and a nourishing broth coming together in a hearty dish that not only satisfies your taste buds but also keeps you on track with your diet goals. 

Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal for a chilly day, this creamy keto chicken soup is a versatile and satisfying option. Customize it to your liking and enjoy the flexibility it offers. Get ready to savor every spoonful!

Chicken soup with vegetables in a white bowl
Chicken soup with vegetables in a white bowl

Table of Contents

Why You Should Try This Keto Chicken Soup

This chicken soup is different from the usual kind. The recipe reduces carbs while maintaining great taste, making it ideal for a keto diet. It’s a delicious, comforting low-carb soup that’s perfect for everyone.

Each serving is low in net carbs, so you can enjoy a creamy and tasty soup without disrupting your diet. Whether you’re after a light lunch or a filling dinner, this keto chicken soup is a great choice.

Classic chicken noodle soup in bowls
Classic chicken noodle soup in bowls

Tracking your macros is important for the keto diet. This keto chicken soup recipe lets you enjoy a tasty meal without going over your carb limit. Chicken is high in protein and has healthy fats. This helps you feel full and satisfied while sticking to your daily macros.

You can make your favorite comfort foods keto-friendly by choosing low-carb ingredients and adding healthy fats. This low-carb chicken soup is a great example of enjoying a tasty meal that fits your macros.

Keto Chicken Soup Recipe

Making your keto chicken soup creamy is very simple! You just need to choose low-carb options that keep it smooth without adding extra carbs. Using simple ingredients can really help.

Follow these simple steps to make your own creamy keto chicken soup. You can choose to cook it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot.

Putting herbs into chicken soup in a pot
Putting herbs into chicken soup in a pot

Ingredients

Chicken: The kind of chicken you pick can really change the taste and feel of your soup. 

For a lighter soup, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs. They cook quickly and have a mild taste that mixes well with other ingredients. For more flavor, go with bone-in chicken thighs. 

Using a whole chicken gives the broth the most flavor. You can also simmer a whole raw chicken in the soup or use leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Vegetables: Adding low-carb vegetables to your soup makes it healthier and adds more texture and flavor. Choose low-carb veggies to help you stay on a keto diet.

Cauliflower rice is an excellent low-carb substitute for regular rice. It makes the soup hearty and blends in well. Zucchini noodles are another tasty option, adding a fresh twist to your keto chicken noodle soup.

Other low-carb vegetables you can add to your creamy keto chicken soup include spinach, mushrooms, celery, and green beans. These vegetables also bring important nutrients and flavor to your soup.

Here are all the ingredients you will need for this recipe:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 6-8 cups chicken broth 
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 pounds chicken thighs or one whole chicken 
  • 2 cups cauliflower rice

Instructions

Cook your favorite vegetables in olive oil until soft. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Add salt and pepper, followed by the chicken broth and bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the chicken and cauliflower rice, and cook on low for 30-35 minutes until the cooked chicken is tender.

Cook the soup on low heat until the chicken is done and the flavors blend. For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender or carefully transfer it to a blender to make it creamy.

Take off the heat and serve with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. If using a whole chicken, shred it with two forks and return the shredded chicken to the pot before serving.

Cooking chicken soup with vegetables on stovetop
Cooking chicken soup with vegetables on stovetop

To cook in the Instant Pot: Begin by adding the oil to the pot and selecting the Sauté setting. Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes, then incorporate the remaining ingredients. Set the pot to Manual/Pressure Cook for 8 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 5 minutes.

Slow Cooker: If you are using a slow cooker, you can let the soup simmer for a long time. This method is great for busy days and gives the soup amazing flavor. 

Cook the veggies in a separate pan, then move them to the slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and cover. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours. Stir the soup before serving.

Nutrition

This recipe makes up to 8 servings. Each serving contains:

  • Calories: 196
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Net Carbs: 3g
  • Protein: 27g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Sodium: 100mg

Customizing Your Low-Carb Soup 

Chicken soup stew with vegetables
Chicken soup stew with vegetables

The best part about this keto chicken soup recipe is its flexibility. You can customize it with your favorite keto-friendly ingredients to suit your taste. Experiment with different flavors and textures!

For a creamy texture, use full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream to instantly make your soup rich and creamy. These options provide a nice texture while keeping the carbs low, allowing you to enjoy a warm bowl of chicken soup and stay on track with your keto goals.

To enhance flavor and creaminess, consider adding full-fat cream cheese or heavy cream at the end of cooking. You can also top each bowl with a spoonful of sour cream or some shredded cheese. This will make your soup richer and tastier.

A bowl of chicken soup with vegetables and noodles
A bowl of chicken soup with vegetables and noodles

Adding cheese to your keto chicken soup is a great way to make it more tasty. When picking cheeses, choose ones that have low carbs and high fat to fit your low-carb diet.

Hard cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone work really well. They melt nicely in the soup, giving it a creamy feel and a rich flavor. You can add shredded cheddar cheese or grated parmesan cheese directly into the soup or sprinkle them on top for some extra flavor.

Soft cheeses like cream cheese or mascarpone can make your keto chicken soup even creamier. Try combining different cheeses to find the mix that you love best.

Fresh and dried herbs and spices are important for making your soup taste better. You can try different flavors to find what you like best.

For a classic chicken soup, fresh parsley, thyme, and a bay leaf work well. If you want heat, add a little paprika or red pepper flakes. You can also use garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for extra flavor.

Feel free to change how much spice you use to fit your taste. You can also try other herbs and spices, like oregano or rosemary, to make your flavors special.

Serving Suggestions

A bowl of chicken soup and noodles served with bread
A bowl of chicken soup and noodles served with bread

This keto chicken soup tastes great on its own. But you can make it even better by adding some extra touches. You might want to serve it with keto-friendly bread or crackers for dipping. A little sprinkle of fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, can also add some color and tasty flavor.

The big portions in this recipe make it perfect for the whole family. You can enjoy it for dinner with a side salad, or have it for lunch or a light supper. Its flexibility makes it a hit for any event.

Pair your low-carb chicken soup with a tasty keto-friendly side dish. This will make a complete and satisfying meal. You can serve cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative to regular rice. It goes well with the soup’s flavors.

If you want a lighter choice, try zucchini noodles. They add a nice crunchy texture and a fresh taste. For a heartier side dish, a simple green salad with a keto-friendly dressing can add a refreshing and crunchy touch to your meal.

Storage Instructions

To keep your creamy keto chicken soup fresh and tasty, store leftovers properly. Let the soup cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for 3-4 days.

To reheat leftovers quickly, use the microwave. For soup, it’s better to reheat on the stovetop at low heat to ensure even warming and avoid hot spots.

Reheating leftover chicken soup can still be delicious. To keep your keto chicken soup creamy, heat it gently on low. Stir occasionally. Avoid boiling, as that can cause the ingredients to separate and affect the soup’s quality.

If your soup becomes thick after storing, you can make it thinner. Just add a little chicken broth, water, or unsweetened almond milk, based on what you like.

Always taste your soup and change the seasoning if needed. Keep in mind that the flavors may get stronger overnight. You might need to add a bit of salt or pepper to keep the taste right.

More Keto Recipes

If you liked this hearty keto chicken soup, try more of these tasty and healthy low-carb chicken recipes you can cook up any time:

If you’re craving warm comfort food on a chilly day, consider these satisfying keto soup recipes:

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I thicken my keto soup without adding carbs?

If you’re on a keto diet, it’s crucial to keep your carb intake low while enjoying tasty meals. A great way to thicken keto-friendly soups without adding carbs is to use xanthan gum. This natural keto thickener not only thickens the soup but also improves its texture.

Another method to achieve a thicker consistency in keto soups is by blending a portion of the soup using a food processor or an immersion blender. This process helps break down the ingredients and creates a creamy texture without the need for additional carbohydrates.

By using these techniques, you can enhance the flavor of your keto soups while sticking to your diet. Whether you like a hearty vegetable soup or a creamy chicken broth, these methods let you enjoy comforting meals while staying on your ketogenic path.

Can I use store-bought broth for this recipe?

Using store-bought chicken broth in your cooking is a convenient option, especially when following a keto diet. To ensure it aligns with your dietary requirements, opt for low-sodium varieties. 

Improving the flavor of store-bought broth is simple. Just add some extra herbs and spices when making your soup. This small change can boost the taste and make your dish even more enjoyable.

You can also tweak the broth by trying out different seasoning combos to match your taste. Little changes like these can really boost the flavor and enjoyment of your meals while keeping in line with your keto lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Keto Chicken Soup recipe is both delicious and low-carb friendly. By choosing the right ingredients and following simple steps, you can enjoy a tasty soup that fits your keto lifestyle.

Enhance your keto soup by incorporating your preferred keto-friendly additions for an extra touch of flavor. With convenient storage suggestions, you can have this delectable soup on hand whenever cravings strike while maintaining its delicious quality. 

Don’t hesitate to prepare this comforting bowl of creamy goodness and treat yourself to a nourishing meal that supports your health goals.