Description
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup is a creamy, comforting dish inspired by the classic chicken cordon bleu flavors. Filled with tender cooked chicken, ham, cream cheese, and Swiss cheese, this hearty soup is perfect for a cozy meal that delivers rich, cheesy goodness with a hint of mustard and smokiness from paprika. It’s an easy-to-make soup that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauté Base
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Broth and Cream
- 1 (32 oz) box chicken broth
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Protein and Cheese
- 4 cups cooked and cubed chicken
- 1 (8 oz) package cubed ham (leftover holiday ham works great, too)
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, cubed and softened to room temperature
For Serving
- Swiss cheese, shredded
- Homemade croutons or store-bought
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté Vegetables and Spices: Add diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper to the melted butter. Cook while stirring regularly until the carrots and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add Broth and Cream Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stir in Dijon mustard to infuse the soup with tangy flavor.
- Add Proteins and Cream Cheese: Add the cooked and cubed chicken, cubed ham, and softened cream cheese. Cook while stirring regularly until the soup is hot and the cream cheese has completely melted and incorporated, resulting in a creamy texture.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon the soup into bowls and serve topped with shredded Swiss cheese and your choice of croutons for added crunch.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked chicken and ham to save time and add more flavor.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature before adding to ensure it melts smoothly without lumps.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, simmer a few minutes longer or add a small slurry of flour or cornstarch.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Homemade croutons add a wonderful crunch and can be customized with herbs and garlic.
