Why This Recipe Works :
You might not think that a vegetable-driven soup makes an ideal keto meal but then you might not have considered broccoli-cheddar soup! Rich, hearty, and packed with low-carb broccoli and fat-rich cheese, it’s both satisfying and filling. We wanted to increase the protein content so we used chicken thigh meat in our version; the fond created by browning the meat also flavored the chicken broth. When the soup was blended, the broccoli did not give it enough of a green hue.
So we blended in a little spinach the next time. That helped and had the extra benefit of increasing fiber. We also gave the soup a subtle hint of Parmesan to balance the richness of cheddar. Once the soup was smooth, we stirred our chicken back in and warmed everything through. A sprinkling of reserved broccoli florets and chives added vibrant color and an aromatic finish to our creamy soup. We start with 1¼ pounds broccoli, which is trimmed to 1 pound after cutting off the tough outer part of the stalk and the base.
Directions :
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown chicken on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes; transfer to plate.
- Add broccoli florets to fat left in pot and cook until tender and just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer 1 cup broccoli florets to bowl and set aside for serving. Stir broccoli stalks, garlic, mustard, salt, and cayenne into pot and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, scraping up browned bits. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pot and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken registers 165 degrees, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board, let cool slightly, then shred into bite-size pieces using 2 forks; discard skin and bones.
- Working in 2 batches, process soup, spinach, cheddar, Parmesan, and remaining ¼ cup oil in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds for each batch. Return soup and chicken to now-empty pot and bring to brief simmer over medium-low heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top individual portions evenly with chives and reserved broccoli before serving.
Broccoli-Cheddar Soup With Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs trimmed
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 1¼ pounds broccoli florets chopped into ½-inch pieces, stalks peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon table salt Pinch cayenne pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ounce 1 cup baby spinach
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded (1 cup)
- 1½ ounces Parmesan cheese grated (¾ cup)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown chicken on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes; transfer to plate.
- Add broccoli florets to fat left in pot and cook until tender and just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer 1 cup broccoli florets to bowl and set aside for serving. Stir broccoli stalks, garlic, mustard, salt, and cayenne into pot and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, scraping up browned bits. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pot and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken registers 165 degrees, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board, let cool slightly, then shred into bite-size pieces using 2 forks; discard skin and bones.
- Working in 2 batches, process soup, spinach, cheddar, Parmesan, and remaining ¼ cup oil in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds for each batch. Return soup and chicken to now-empty pot and bring to brief simmer over medium-low heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top individual portions evenly with chives and reserved broccoli before serving.