You know, I’ve always believed that cooking should be a joy, not a chore. My kitchen is my happy place, and there’s nothing I love more than whipping up simple, incredibly flavorful chicken dishes that make everyday meals feel a little bit special. It’s all about bringing a bit of sunshine to your table, even on a Tuesday! That’s exactly the spirit behind this recipe, The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup. I wanted to create something truly comforting, packed with all the goodness of a classic chicken soup but without all the carbs and added sugars. It’s a recipe born from a love for good food and a desire to make healthy eating feel utterly delicious and completely doable for everyone.
Table Of content
Why You’ll Love The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup
Seriously, this soup is a game-changer! If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting bowl that won’t derail your low-carb or keto goals, you’ve found it. The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup is all about maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, making it perfect for those chilly evenings or whenever you just need a hug in a bowl.
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Quick and Easy Preparation
Life gets busy, right? That’s why I designed this recipe to be super straightforward. With just 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, you can have a delicious, healthy soup on the table in under an hour. Perfect for weeknights!
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Deliciously Flavorful and Satisfying
Don’t let “low carb” fool you – this soup is bursting with flavor! We’re talking tender shredded chicken, perfectly softened veggies, aromatic herbs, and a rich chicken stock base. It’s hearty and satisfying, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly tasty.
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Healthy and Guilt-Free
This soup is completely sugar-free and packed with good-for-you ingredients. It’s low in carbs and high in protein, making it an ideal choice for anyone following a keto or low-carb lifestyle. You get all the comfort without any of the guilt!
Gathering Your Ingredients for The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup
Alright, let’s get down to business and talk about what we need to make this amazing soup! Having all your ingredients prepped and ready makes cooking so much smoother, and trust me, it’s part of the fun. For The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup, we’re focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients that pack a flavor punch without the carbs. It’s all about quality and simplicity!
Core Soup Components
First up, the backbone of any great soup: the liquid and seasonings. You’ll need about 1.5 quarts (1.5 litres) of good quality chicken stock – this is where a lot of the flavor comes from, so use one you love! We’ll also grab two bay leaves for that subtle, earthy aroma. And of course, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste – start with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, but we can always add more later.
Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics
Now for the magic that makes this soup sing! We’ll start with 1 tablespoon of butter or extra virgin olive oil to get things going. Then, get ready to chop: 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 87g), 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (around 122g), 1 small leek, chopped (about 67g), and 3 medium celery stalks, also chopped (120g). Don’t forget 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme leaves and about 8g of fresh parsley. And for that little zing, a minced garlic clove is essential!
Protein and Greens
To make this a truly hearty meal, we’re adding 2.5 cups of cooked shredded chicken (about 300g). You can use rotisserie chicken or cook some chicken breasts ahead of time – whatever works best for you! For our greens, we’ll use 1 cup of chopped cavolo nero or kale (around 50g). These add a lovely texture and a boost of nutrients.
Serving Touches
The finishing touches are key to bringing all the flavors together! Right before serving, you’ll want a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten everything up. We’ll also swirl in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for a little extra richness and top it all off with another teaspoon of fresh parsley. These little extras really make The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup shine!
Crafting The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get this delicious soup simmering! Making The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup is really straightforward, and I promise, the steps are super easy to follow. It’s all about building those lovely flavors layer by layer.
Building the Flavor Base
First things first, grab your soup pot and pop it over medium heat. Melt that butter or warm up your olive oil. Now, toss in your finely diced onion, chopped carrots, leek, and celery. Add in the chopped thyme leaves and about two-thirds of your fresh parsley. Let these veggies sauté for about 5 minutes. You want them to start softening up nicely, not to get mushy, just to release all their lovely aromas. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it’s fragrant. Oh, the smell already!
Simmering the Broth
Once your aromatics are looking good, it’s time to add the liquid gold! Pour in your chicken stock. Don’t forget to toss in those two bay leaves, plus your salt and pepper. Give it a good stir. Now, bring the whole pot up to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer away for about 15 minutes. This is where all those flavors really get to know each other and deepen.
Thickening and Enriching the Soup
Here’s a little trick that makes this soup extra special! Carefully scoop out about half of the soup and the bay leaves. You can use a ladle or a mug for this. Pop those bay leaves in the compost or trash. Now, grab your immersion blender (or carefully use a regular blender if that’s what you have) and pulse the soup you removed until it’s nice and smooth and a little bit thickened. This blended portion is going to give our soup a lovely body and extra flavor without any starchy thickeners. Pour this creamy mixture right back into the pot with the rest of the soup. Give it a gentle stir to combine.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Now for the final additions! Toss in your cooked shredded chicken and the chopped cavolo nero or kale. Let it simmer for just about a minute, or until the greens are nice and tender but still have a bit of life to them. You don’t want them to get soggy! In a small bowl, whisk together the squeeze of lemon juice and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Swirl this mixture into the soup right at the end – it adds a wonderful brightness and a touch of richness. Give everything a final taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Ladle your beautiful soup into bowls and sprinkle with the remaining fresh parsley. Enjoy every spoonful!
Tips for The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup Success
Making The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup is pretty forgiving, but a few little tricks can really elevate it from good to absolutely amazing. I’ve learned a thing or two over the years, and I want to share them so your soup turns out perfectly every single time!
Choosing Quality Ingredients
You know, the saying “garbage in, garbage out” really applies to cooking! For this soup, using really fresh veggies makes a huge difference. Make sure those carrots, celery, and onions are crisp and vibrant. And please, use a good quality chicken stock! It’s the base of our soup, so a flavorful one means a more flavorful soup. If you can find one without added sugars or weird fillers, that’s even better. The better your starting ingredients, the more incredible The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup will be.
Flavor Adjustments
Taste, taste, taste! That’s my biggest tip. Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings as you go. The salt and pepper amounts are just a starting point. After you’ve simmered everything and added the chicken, give it a good stir and taste. Does it need a little more salt? A pinch more pepper? Maybe you want it a bit more herby? You can always add more thyme or parsley at the end too. This soup is yours, so make it taste exactly how you love it!
Achieving the Right Consistency
That trick of blending half the soup is what gives it a lovely, slightly thickened texture without any flour or cornstarch. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully scoop about 2 cups of the broth and veggies into a regular blender, process until smooth, and then return it to the pot. If your soup ends up a little too thick for your liking after blending, just stir in a splash more chicken stock or even some water until it’s just right. Conversely, if it feels too thin, you can always simmer it gently uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce it a bit.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup
Got questions about whipping up this comforting bowl of goodness? I’ve got you covered! Making The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup is all about simple, wholesome goodness, and I want to make sure you feel totally confident in the kitchen.
Can I make The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup is actually even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together. Once it’s cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or pop it in the microwave. You might need to add a splash more chicken stock if it seems a little thick.
What are good substitutions for cavolo nero or kale in this Low Carb Chicken Soup?
No cavolo nero or kale on hand? No problem! You can easily swap those out for other low-carb leafy greens. Spinach is a fantastic option – just add it in during the last minute of cooking, as it wilts very quickly. Swiss chard is also a great choice; just chop it up and add it when you would add the kale. You’ll still get that lovely bit of green goodness in your Low Carb Chicken Soup!
Is this Sugar Free Chicken Soup truly sugar-free?
Yes, indeed! This recipe is completely sugar-free and perfect for anyone following a sugar-free lifestyle. We’re not adding any granulated sugar, syrups, or sweeteners. The sweetness you get comes naturally from the vegetables like onions and carrots, which are perfectly fine on a sugar-free or keto diet. It’s all about wholesome ingredients!
Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Low Carb Chicken Soup
One of the best things about making a big pot of The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup is that it tastes just as good, if not better, the next day! Once your soup has cooled down a bit, ladle it into an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure it’s sealed well to keep it fresh.
When you’re ready for another comforting bowl, reheating is super simple. You can gently warm it up on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems a little thicker than you like, just stir in a splash more chicken stock or even a little water until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl. Either way, you’ll have a delicious, warm bowl of Low Carb Chicken Soup ready in minutes!
Estimated Nutritional Information for The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info you see here is an estimate. It can totally vary depending on the brands of ingredients you use and the exact size of your veggies. But this gives you a good idea of what you’re getting in each delicious bowl of The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup!
Nutritional Breakdown Per Serving
| Serving Size | 1.5 cups |
| Calories | 250 |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 10g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Protein | 20g |
| Cholesterol | 70mg |
| Sugar | 5g |
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Warming The Best Low Carb Keto Chicken Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
This is the best low carb keto chicken soup recipe. It’s sugar-free and packed with flavor. Anna, a passionate food lover, shares simple and flavorful chicken recipes to make everyday cooking easier and more joyful. This recipe is perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ¼ small yellow onion finely diced (87g)
- 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped (122g)
- 1 small leek chopped (67g)
- 3 medium stalks celery chopped (120g)
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves chopped
- 8 g fresh parsley
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1.5 quarts chicken stock 1.5 litres
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 2.5 cups cooked shredded chicken 300g
- 1 cup chopped cavolo nero or kale 50g
- For serving: Squeeze of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat butter or olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, leek, and celery with thyme and ⅔rds of the parsley for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add chicken stock, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook with a lid on for 15 minutes.
- Add cooked chicken. Remove half the soup and bay leaves. Pulse with a stick blender to thicken the soup and add flavor.
- Return the blended soup to the pot. Add greens and simmer until softened, about 1 minute.
- Mix lemon juice with olive oil and swirl into the soup. Top with fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Notes
- You can swirl in a little butter at the end before serving for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
