When comfort calls, nothing answers quite like a warm, creamy bowl of soup. And if you're a fan of the rich, indulgent flavors of classic Chicken Alfredo, then get ready to meet your new favorite obsession: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup! This isn't just any soup; it's a hug in a bowl, combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety smooth Alfredo sauce into one irresistible dish.
Perfect for a chilly evening, a quick weeknight dinner, or even a cozy weekend lunch, this soup is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Forget the fuss of separate courses; everything you love about Chicken Alfredo is now simmered together in one comforting pot. Let's dive into how you can bring this dreamy soup to your table!
Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup
This recipe takes the beloved flavors of Chicken Alfredo and transforms them into a hearty, soul-warming soup. It's an ideal choice for several reasons:
- Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and cook time, you can have this delicious soup ready in under an hour.
- Family Favorite: The creamy texture and familiar flavors appeal to both kids and adults, making it a guaranteed hit at any dinner table.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying, it's the perfect antidote to a long day or cold weather.
- Customizable: Easily adapt it with your favorite pasta, vegetables, or seasonings to make it truly your own.
Key Ingredients You'll Need
Our Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup relies on a few simple, wholesome ingredients to create its incredible flavor profile. You'll need:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best, offering tender morsels in every spoonful.
- Aromatics: Fresh onion and garlic lay the foundation for a deep, savory base. When dicing your onion and mincing your garlic, a quality chef's knife can make all the difference!
- Pasta: Short pasta shapes like mafaldine, fettuccine broken into pieces, rotini, or penne are excellent choices.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid base for our soup, providing essential flavor.
- Heavy Cream & Parmesan Cheese: These are the stars of the Alfredo sauce, creating that signature rich and creamy texture.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings all the flavors together.
Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup
Choosing Your Pasta
While mafaldine is suggested in the recipe, don't hesitate to use your favorite short pasta. Just ensure it's cooked al dente according to package directions before adding it to the soup to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
Preventing a Grainy Sauce
Always add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese at the end, after the soup has simmered and the heat has been reduced. This prevents the dairy from curdling and keeps your soup beautifully smooth.
Make it Your Own!
Feel free to toss in some extra veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color. A pinch of nutmeg can also enhance the Alfredo flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
This soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides:
- Crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping.
- A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
- A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley as a garnish.
Get ready to impress your family and friends with this unbelievably delicious Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup. It's the ultimate comfort food experience that will have everyone asking for seconds!
FAQs
Can I make Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup base (chicken, broth, seasonings) ahead of time. However, it's best to cook the pasta and add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy and the sauce from becoming too thick.
What kind of pasta works best in Chicken Alfredo Soup?
Short pasta shapes like mafaldine, fettuccine broken into smaller pieces, rotini, penne, or even small shells work wonderfully. Choose a pasta that can hold up well in a creamy sauce and is easy to eat with a spoon.
Can I freeze Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup?
Freezing creamy soups can sometimes alter their texture upon thawing, making them a bit grainy. The pasta may also become mushy. If you plan to freeze, it's best to freeze the soup base without the cream, cheese, or pasta, and add those fresh when reheating.
How can I make this soup thicker?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can either let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce, or create a quick cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) and stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Standard
Description
A rich and comforting soup that combines the classic flavors of chicken alfredo in a warm, hearty bowl, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
4 cups chicken broth
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken fillets
8 ounces short pasta (Mafaldine, rotini, or penne)
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the pot. Sauté for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add the chicken fillets to the pot and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 5: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks or a sharp knife. Set aside.
Step 6: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the pasta to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, and the soup is creamy.
Step 8: Return the shredded or diced chicken to the pot. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer for a few more minutes to heat through, but do not boil after adding cream.
Step 9: Ladle the Creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup into bowls. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For a bit of extra richness, you can add a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream and Parmesan. If you want to add vegetables, consider spinach, mushrooms, or peas, added in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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