what's an easy way to make creamy chicken soup

Creamy chicken soup is a comforting and rich dish made with chicken, vegetables, and a creamy base. It typically has a smooth texture due to the addition of cream, milk, or a thickened broth.The ingredients can vary, but the essential components usually include:

Chicken: Often shredded or diced, it’s the main protein in the soup. Rotisserie chicken is a popular choice for convenience.
Vegetables: Common choices include carrots, celery, and onions, which add flavor and texture.
Cream or Milk: These make the soup creamy, giving it a smooth and velvety texture. Heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk are typically used.
Broth: Chicken broth (or stock) is often used as the base, adding depth of flavor.
Seasonings: Common seasonings are salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and sometimes parsley or bay leaves to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if preferred)
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
1 cup heavy cream (for creaminess)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, to thicken)
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Sauté the veggies: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened, and the onion becomes translucent.
Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme (or fresh). Let it cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add chicken broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Make it creamy: While the soup is simmering, if you prefer a thicker soup, you can mix the flour with a small amount of broth (about 2 tablespoons) to create a smooth paste.
Stir this into the soup to thicken it slightly.
Add chicken and cream: Stir in the shredded chicken and the heavy cream. Continue simmering the soup for another 5-7 minutes to heat through.
Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper. Once it’s ready, ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with parsley (if desired), and serve!

TIPS

For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese at the end.
If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend part of the soup with an immersion blender to thicken it even more.
You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter option or use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter version.

Enjoy your creamy chicken soup, perfect for cozying up on a chilly day!