Description
Creamy Chicken & Spinach Soup with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a comforting, rich, and velvety soup that combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for chilly days, this soup offers a perfect balance of creaminess and vibrant taste, making it a soul-soothing and protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or rehydrated if dry)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Fats
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (such as basil, oregano, thyme)
Instructions
- Prepare and Sauté Aromatics: Finely chop the onion and garlic, then sauté them in olive oil or butter over medium heat until soft and fragrant, forming the flavorful base of the soup.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot and cook until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, sealing in juices and ensuring tender meat.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the chicken finish cooking in the broth, imparting richness to the soup base.
- Incorporate Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, layering bright and tangy flavors into the soup.
- Blend or Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot, shred or dice it, and return it to the soup. Optionally, blend a portion of the broth and vegetables before adding the chicken back for a smoother texture.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Fold in fresh spinach and heavy cream (or half-and-half), allowing the spinach to wilt gently and the soup to thicken to your desired creaminess.
- Final Taste Check: Taste the soup, adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed, then simmer a few more minutes to meld all the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth for richer flavor.
- Add spinach last to retain its color and nutrients.
- Quickly sauté sun-dried tomatoes to amplify their flavors before adding.
- Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter alternative to heavy cream.
- Adjust broth or cream quantity to control soup thickness.
- Freeze leftovers up to 2 months; reheat gently with occasional stirring.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or rehydrate dry ones before use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Italian fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: creamy chicken soup, spinach soup, sun-dried tomatoes soup, comfort food, creamy chicken, healthy soup, easy soup recipe
