Description
Creamy chicken cordon bleu soup blends classic French flavors into a comforting bowl of pure indulgence. Swiss cheese, tender chicken, and smoky ham create a luxurious experience that brings warmth to your dining table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup ham, diced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
Liquid Base:
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasoning and Thickeners:
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Croutons
- Crispy bacon bits
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Establish the foundational flavor base by warming butter in a robust cooking vessel over moderate temperature. Introduce minced garlic and sauté until its aromatic essence permeates the environment.
- Integrate flour and create a translucent golden roux, whisking consistently to prevent scorching and ensure smooth texture development.
- Methodically pour chicken broth, half-and-half, and cream into the roux, generating a silky liquid foundation. Enhance with onion powder and thyme for nuanced herbal undertones.
- Allow the mixture to gradually simmer, stirring periodically, enabling natural thickening and flavor melding.
- Incorporate tender shredded chicken, savory diced ham, and luxurious cream cheese cubes into the developing soup landscape.
- Gently fold Swiss cheese into the simmering liquid, encouraging complete dissolution and creating a harmonious, velvety consistency.
- Season the soup with judicious amounts of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve balanced flavor profiles.
- Transfer the steaming soup into individual serving vessels, embellishing with crisp croutons, crumbled bacon fragments, and delicate fresh parsley sprigs for textural contrast and visual appeal.
- Present immediately while maintaining optimal warmth, inviting diners to experience this comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Roux Perfection: Constantly stir the butter and flour mixture to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, golden base for the soup’s rich flavor.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove the pot from heat when adding cheeses to prevent curdling and maintain a silky, creamy texture.
- Low and Slow Simmering: Keep the heat low and stir frequently to prevent scorching and help ingredients blend seamlessly.
- Protein Variations: Swap chicken for turkey or swap ham for crispy prosciutto to create new flavor profiles and accommodate different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg