Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup Recipe
Are you looking for the ultimate comfort food? This Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It tastes just like the classic fancy dish but in a cozy bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium is best
- 2 cups heavy cream or whole milk
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or cubed
- 2 cups cooked ham diced into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Toasted breadcrumbs for garnish
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics
- Melt the butter in your large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they are soft. Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for one minute until it smells amazing. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Make the Roux
- Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir constantly for about two minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste. The mixture will look like a thick paste. This is the secret to a thick soup.
Add the Liquids
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking quickly. Make sure there are no flour lumps left. Add the heavy cream or milk next. Continue to stir until the liquid starts to thicken slightly.
Season the Base
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. The mustard is very important for that authentic Cordon Bleu taste. Let the liquid simmer gently. Do not let it reach a rolling boil.
Add the Meats
- Carefully fold in the shredded chicken and the diced ham. Let the meats warm through in the creamy liquid. This takes about five to seven minutes. The flavors will start to blend beautifully together.
Melt the Cheeses
- Turn the heat to low. Stir in the Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. The soup should look very rich and glossy at this stage.
Final Simmer and Serve
- Taste the soup and add more salt if needed. Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Top each bowl with toasted breadcrumbs or fresh parsley. Serve immediately while the cheese is gooey and warm.
Notes
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. It adds great flavor and shreds very easily.
- Vegetable Boost: Add peas or small broccoli florets to the soup. It adds color and makes the meal even healthier.
- Wine Addition: Add 1/4 cup of dry white wine after the flour. Let it reduce before adding the broth for a deeper flavor.
- Low Carb Version: Replace the flour with a little heavy cream cheese. Skip the breadcrumbs to keep it keto-friendly.
- Crunchy Topping: Always toast your breadcrumbs in a pan with butter first. It provides a great texture contrast to the creamy soup.