Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (2024)

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (1)

Fall is for soup, and this chicken and broccoli cheese soup recipe is the best soup recipe. Between all the creamy cheese, butter, and chicken, this is a chicken broccoli cheese soup that you won’t forget.

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (2)

Who does not love a good chicken and broccoli cheese soup recipe?! Pretty much anything you put in a cheese soup, I am going to love it. Haha.

With this broccoli cheese soup with chicken, you will be making it from scratch, without using Velveeta as the base. Don’t get me wrong, Velveeta is delicious, but I always tend to have extra cheese in my fridge, but I don’t always have Velveeta so it is nice to have a delicious chicken broccoli cheese soup recipe that does require it.

We have this recipe on repeat especially during these cold months as winter rolls in. You can make it up or even freeze it ahead of time!

While the soup is cooking, try one of our delicious bread or breadsticks recipes! A few of my favorites to pair with this soup recipe are our homemade french bread, sheet pan garlic breadsticks, and our Olive Garden breadsticks copycat recipe. Pretty much anything you can dip into this soup will work great!

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (3)

Ingredients You Need to Make Our Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe:

  • Onion, diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Chicken broth
  • Boneless, skinless, chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Fresh broccoli
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Hot sauce (optional)
  • Milk
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Shredded parmesan cheese

How To Make Our Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe:

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (4)

When you are ready to get started, get out your large saucepan and add in the onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat and saute them until they are nice and tender. This should only take a few minutes.

Then add in the butter and flour over medium heat to continue to make your roux base for this cheese soup recipe. You want your roux to be bubbly and just starting to brown (and of course, it will smell amazing).

Once the roux is done, pour it into a large stock pot and pour the chicken broth on top, stirring everything together the whole time to avoid getting clumps and lumps in the broth.

After you have the broth fulling incorporated into the roux, add in the cooked chicken bites, chopped broccoli, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce (if you want it) and continue to cook everything together for about 35-40 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.

NOTE: If you are using frozen broccoli it will cook up a little faster and give off a little more liquid than fresh broccoli.

Now, after the chicken and broccoli are perfectly cooked, stir in the milk, sharp cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese.

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (5)

Stir everything together until the cheeses are completely melted and then serve it with your favorite sides, and enjoy!

To Make this Chicken and Broccoli Recipe You Will Need:

  1. Large saucepan
  2. Wooden spoon
  3. Large stock pot (THIS is a great one!)

What is a Roux?

A roux is a base for a lot of soups or casseroles that you make with fat and flour to create a thickening agent for your meal. While it does not contain complicated ingredients, however, the execution of the roux can be more complex because if you aren’t paying attention things might not turn out how you want.

Bon appétit has a great informational article that is called “what is a roux and why do I keep messing mine up”. If you find that your recipes aren’t turning out the right way when you have a roux base, give it a read and get some ideas for the next time you need to make one.

Topping Suggestions

I always love to top off my soups with one or more fresh ingredients since you can add even more flavor and of course, it makes them look even more like they are from a restaurant.

Soup Toppings:

  • Sour cream
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Chives
  • Green onion
  • Croutons
  • Oyster crackers
  • Tortilla strips
  • Avocado

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Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (6)

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Warm Up with Tasty and Easy Soup Recipes:

  1. Slow Cooker Beef Minestrone Soup Recipe
  2. Creamy Ground Beef and Macaroni Tomato Soup Recipe
  3. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup (Cafe Zupas Copycat) Recipe
  4. Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
  5. Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
  6. Instant Pot Sausage Ravioli Soup Recipe
  7. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

More Ways To Prepare Chicken and Broccoli Together!

  1. Chicken and Broccoli Stuffing Casserole Recipe
  2. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Casserole Recipe
  3. Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Recipe
  4. Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole Recipe
  5. Korean BBQ Chicken and Broccoli
  6. Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Recipe
  7. Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Recipe
  8. Broccoli Chicken and Rice Bake
  9. Broccoli and Cheese Chicken Pasta Recipe

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (7)

Serves: 8

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

4.50 from 2 votes

This soup went above and beyond my greatest expectations- it was cheesy, hearty, warm, and delicious. You can’t go wrong with it!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup flour
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 heads fresh broccoli (or 2 bags of frozen broccoli)
  • teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • a couple shakes of hot sauce optional
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Notes

Our favorite soup toppings:

  • Sour cream
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Chives
  • Green onion
  • Croutons
  • Oyster crackers
  • Tortilla strips
  • Avocado

Nutrition

Calories: 630 kcal · Carbohydrates: 27 g · Protein: 49 g · Fat: 37 g · Saturated Fat: 22 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 170 mg · Sodium: 2044 mg · Potassium: 1241 mg · Fiber: 5 g · Sugar: 5 g · Vitamin A: 2058 IU · Vitamin C: 155 mg · Calcium: 619 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Equipment

  • Large Saucepan

  • large stock pot

  • Wooden Spoon

Recipe Details

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (8)

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Join The Discussion

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  1. Jenn says:

    This soup sounds so comforting and delicious.

  2. Cathy says:

    Thanks so much for the recipe! I'm going to try it tonight. My sister says, "You always are making new recipes." It's true, because I love trying your recipes and usually have everything in the house to make your new ones. Biggest hits so far were your sweet and sour chicken, ranch chicken taquito recipe, and cheesy vegetable soup. My kids are flexible so they please everyone.

  3. Kelly says:

    I made this last night & everyone in my family loved it! Brought leftovers to work to share and everyone there loved it too! Will be making this one again. Thank you!

  4. Tiffani says:

    My family loves this soup. I usually make it when I have spinach that will soon go bad. I ass it in there for a few extra nutrients and no one realizes they're eating it :)

  5. Krystal says:

    Have you ever tried making a double batch & freezing the rest for a meal at a later date? just curious to know if it freezes well?

  6. carly says:

    just made this on sunday. it's fantastic. i skipped the chicken, but it turned out great. have been eating it all week! will be making again soon for sure! thanks for the great find!

  7. Barb says:

    hi there-love you blog/recipes, etc.... I am wheat intolerant, what would you replace the flour with in this recipe? There is a whole cup which is a lot for any other thickener, just wondering if you had any thoughts. I love Broccoli Cheese Soup, but it's been a long time.Warmly,Barb

  8. Jenny Burggraf says:

    Use gluten free flour (I have Celiac Disease and always "alter" recipes)

  9. Janet says:

    I made this for lunch on Saturday, without the chicken. I cut the recipe in half as it was just lunch for four of us, and there wasn't a drop left! Very yummy - thanks!

  10. Kristina says:

    Thanks. Made it and its is yummy. Added carrots, peas and some sweet bell pepper.

  11. Kasey says:

    I just made this soup on this cold, snowy Sunday. It was incredibly good! I was a little worried about how it would turn out as my roux was a little clumpy, but I could not have been more impressed. I plan on making this recipe again and again, thank you so much ladies!

  12. Cloey says:

    Hi, wonder if I need to cook this ( after adding chicken and broccoli) on medium high heat or medium low before adding milk and cheess, thanks!

  13. Cyd says:

    You add the milk and cheese at the very end and stir in until the cheese is completely melted.

  14. emily says:

    Im sick today and all I want is some broccoli and cheese soup. I didnt feel like making it but its so easy. I used frozen broccoli and frozen diced chicken so it only took maybe 30 minutes to put together which was awesome. I added way more cheese and I used a gluten free flour and it turned out great, I was worried about using the whole cup of flour but it turned out just right. I also always spice things a little more than directed. Always to taste. It was a fast and delicious soup.

  15. Julie Johnson says:

    I just thought I'd get back on here tonight to tell you that I made this for dinner & it was THE BEST broccoli soup I've ever had & the 1st I've ever made! I loved the kick the cayenne pepper gave & the how hearty the chicken made the soup. It was double awesome because I was able to feed 8 people & still have some leftovers, which I will enjoy for my lunch tomorrow! :) The 8 people consisted of 4 adults (2 of which are starving college aged boys) & 4 children. We enjoyed it with French bread & a small salad. Talk about a hit! Thank you, Julie

  16. Jen says:

    This looks awesome :-) I'm wondering if I can make this in the crockpot with frozen chicken breast?

  17. Joanie Steptoe says:

    I'm wondering the same but with uncooked frozen boneless thighs

  18. Jamie says:

    I? just made this soup . I? always wanted to make broccoli soup. It was so easy ? thanks . Now the real test is to come . Let’s see if my husband likes it ?.

  19. Hyde says:

    This recipe was incredible, like seriously the best. I admit I made a few small tweaks though. I used chicken thighs instead of breast, I added julienned carrots, and I omitted the hot sauce and cayenne because my man hates spicy stuff. Even though it turned out amazing I would love to stick closer to the recipe next time by adding the spicy elements since I personally love spicy stuff.

  20. Hyde says:

    I brought mine to a boil after adding broccoli and chicken and then simmered on low for the remaining 50 minutes before stirring in milk/cheese.

  21. Chad Hattie says:

    With a bit o left over bacon from breakfast, this recipe became amazing! Thank you.

  22. MaeMae says:

    Not fair! You didn't explain why.

  23. Shelley says:

    Can this soup be stored in freezer?

  24. Cyd says:

    This soup does pretty well when you freeze it because it's not heavy cream based. Freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Always stir well when reheating frozen soup.

  25. Corinne says:

    I made this soup tonight and it was amazing! Award winning soup. I loved it! Absolutely perfect! Thank you for sharing.

  26. Anita says:

    Currently making this soup. I’d recommend editing the instructions to include heat setting and also to melt the butter first before adding the flour. I just added it at the same time and tried to save it... this was my first time making a roux. I will see if this comes out okay or not considering how the roux was messed up. I needed more directions for heating as well which thankfully I found in the comments, but it should already be part of the directions.

  27. Carey Hathaway says:

    I tried this recipe. What am I supposed to sauteing the onion and garlic in? The butter? And there was so much flour in that 1/2 c. of butter that there was NO letting it get bubbly, it was so thick, more like a paste that I had to add more butter or liquid so that it wouldn't burn. And I must say that 8 cups of chicken broth is NOT NEAR enough liquid for all of the thickness that all of that flour had going on! I had to use a HUGE stock pot and keep adding liquid. Not to mention all of the cheese floated to the bottom of my pot and burned!!!! It could be a good recipe, but I think you left some stuff out!

  28. Naomi Jessop says:

    I stumbled across this recipe and decided to make it. It is SO SO delicious! Definitely worth making. Thanks so much.

  29. Charity says:

    I made this tonight and everyone loved it! I used Perdue shortcuts grilled chicken and frozen broccoli. I think I made the mistake someone else mentioned of not melting my butter before adding the flour, but I fixed it when adding the broth to the roux slowly. My husband doesn’t do straight milk and I was all out of unsweetened almond milk, so I used a can of cream of chicken soup (yes I know it has milk in it). I used cheddar and mozzarella, but the cheddar had trouble melting and was quite globby. Not sure what I did wrong. Overall, it was delicious! All 3 kids ages 3,9,11 liked it! Paired with Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Yum yum!

  30. Lynze says:

    This soup is amazing and makes it to my menu at least once a month. It is so easy to whip up in a pinch and I love the leftovers for lunch. Great as a guest meal too whenever we have pop ins. :)

  31. Sheela says:

    This turned out amazing! I threw in a bit of cajun seasoning because I didn't have cayenne or hot sauce, used frozen broccoli, and skipped the parmesan. It was easily as good (or better) than a soup in a restaurant. Tons of leftovers to enjoy too! Thanks for the awesome recipe - it hit the spot! 🙂

  32. Momma Cyd says:

    We are so glad to hear that you liked the soup! This one is easy and delicious!

  33. Christine Duerksen says:

    This is my go-to Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe. My husband is the same way and likes meat in his soups so he loved that but I also added some cooked rice to give it some more "stuff" and it is a hit.

  34. Marlene says:

    This is the best broccoli cheddar soup I've ever had!! It's definitely going to be put into meal plan rotation. My family loved it!!

  35. Momma Cyd says:

    Thanks Marlene. We are so glad you liked this soup!

  36. Lisa H. says:

    I'm a Louisiana girl - been making roux my whole life. I was a little concerned with the butter to flour ratio - I grew up learning that you use a 1 to 1 ratio of flour and oil/butter. But I powered ahead, and while it didn't get bubbly (it was too thick for that), it did brown up a bit, and it made the soup wonderfully creamy and thick enough. I was also worried that it might be the consistency of wallpaper paste when I reheated, but it was not. It reheats beautifully and tastes better the second day!I followed the recipe largely as written. I used heavy cream instead of milk, and I tend to season a bit more generously than most recipes - we like it zesty around here. It fit in my 5-quart Dutch oven just fine, and it was a really good pot of soup. I served it with some homemade beer bread. Great meal for a cool evening!

    Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (9)

  37. Lisa H. says:

    Forgot to add - I did use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. I find they have a bit more flavor. I also used fresh broccoli - I like that I can control the size of the bites of broccoli in the soup when I use fresh.

  38. Amber says:

    This a really good soup! The only thing I will do the next time I make it will be cut back on the salt. I will probably add some shredded carrots too for more veggies!

    Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (10)

  39. Callan says:

    What is the serving size on this?

  40. Momma Cyd says:

    It can serve up to 8 people. But you can have the serving size be whatever works best for the size and ages of your family/group. It's a hearty soup.

Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (11)

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Grate the cheese yourself.

Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

How can I thicken my broccoli cheese soup? ›

HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?
  1. You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.
  2. You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.
  3. You can add a bit more cheese.
Feb 6, 2019

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste gritty? ›

The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn't end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn't boil and curdle.

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Broccoli Cheddar Soup is not only delicious but nutritious as well. Broccoli is loaded with vitamin C and K, potassium, and fiber, offering numerous health benefits like improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity.

What kind of cheese melts best in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

How do you melt cheese into soup without clumping it? ›

Use a Roux or Cornstarch Slurry

This helps to stabilize the soup by creating a smoother texture and emulsifying the cheese. Simply melt butter, whisk in flour to make a roux, or dissolve cornstarch in a little cold water to make a slurry, then gradually whisk in your cheese.

How do you fix watery broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Create A Cornstarch Slurry With Equal Parts Water

For Lindsay Mattison's Panera-style broccoli and cheddar soup recipe, she advises using a tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of liquid.

How do you keep broccoli cheese soup from separating? ›

Avoid too high of heat when using dairy (milk or cream) because the soup can curdle and separate. Try not to take it to the boiling point. Sometimes an acidic ingredient, like wine, can prevent the soup from curdling. Slowly add the cream or milk and continually stir after adding.

Why is my cream of broccoli soup bland? ›

If your Broccoli Soup tastes bland, there are several potential reasons. Here are some common culprits and suggestions to enhance the flavour: Insufficient seasoning. Solution: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.

Why is my broccoli cheddar soup not yellow? ›

There is often so much milk, heavy cream and grated cheese that the soup is nearly white in color.

Why is my broccoli cheddar soup not creamy? ›

Soup needs some fat to smooth out the texture and help the ingredients bind together. If your soup is too lean, it will taste grainy. Try adding some additional cream or milk to the soup until it reaches the desired consistency.

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup curdle? ›

Why is my broccoli cheese soup not creamy? If the roux is not made slowly and properly (as indicated in the recipe), it can leave you with a watery soup rather than a creamy one. Using a stovetop heat that's too high can also cause the soup to curdle, especially when you are adding any dairy products.

What is the unhealthiest soup? ›

Just avoid these five soups listed below, and swap them out for the healthier alternatives we've provided:
  1. Clam chowder. Anything with the word "chowder" in it is probably going to be high in cream, fat, and calories. ...
  2. Potato soup. ...
  3. Lobster bisque. ...
  4. Chili. ...
  5. Broccoli and cheese soup.
Jan 12, 2012

Is broccoli soup good for high blood pressure? ›

Broccoli is also particularly high in the amino acid glutamic acid (the flavor enhancing compound responsible for taste sense of “umami”). A Northwestern University Chicago study found higher dietary intake of the amino acid glutamic acid via vegetables like broccoli, was linked to lower blood pressure.

Is Panera broccoli cheddar soup bad for you? ›

Nutrition & Allergens

Sodium Warning: Indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit (2,300 mg). High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke.

Why didn't my cheese melt in my soup? ›

If heated too high, you risk clumping and if too low, not melting properly. With soup, you might be able to fix it with an immersion blender, or you might not. At a temperature of 150 or so, the protein bonds in the cheese break down and as a result, too much fo the moisture escapes too quickly.

Why is my cheddar cheese not melting? ›

Moisture: A cheese's ability to melt well depends on a number of factors. The first — and perhaps the most important — is moisture. A cheese with more moisture will also have more loosely packed milk proteins, which separate more easily when heated.

Why won't my cheddar cheese melt? ›

A big reason why your cheese isn't melting is the moisture content. The moisture content of the cheese has a great effect on the melting process. A cheese that contains higher amounts of fat will melt better than one that doesn't.

What causes cheese not to melt? ›

Drier cheeses like aged Gouda and Parmigiano Reggiano won't melt so well unless there is added moisture around. Similarly, higher fat cheeses like Havarti usually melt better than cheeses like non-fat mozzarella. Examples of how sometimes higher moisture and higher fat will lead to more melting.

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