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Chicken Cauliflower Cheddar Chowder Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 129 reviews

This Chicken Cauliflower Cheddar Chowder is a creamy, comforting soup perfect for chilly days. It features tender cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and celery simmered in a flavorful broth and finished with sharp cheddar cheese and shredded chicken for protein. The soup is thickened with a classic beurre manié and blended to a smooth, velvety texture, making it a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and wholesome.

Ingredients

Scale

Herbs and Aromatics

  • 8 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Vegetables

  • 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
  • 12 ounces small yellow potatoes, scrubbed and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 12 ounces carrots, sliced about 1/4-inch thick (about 6 medium or 3 cups)
  • 2 stalks celery, halved and thinly sliced

Liquids and Dairy

  • 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred, 2% works too)

Fats and Thickening Agents

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Cheese and Protein

  • 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2½–3 cups leftover or rotisserie chicken (or turkey), cut or torn into bite-size pieces

Seasoning

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Thyme Bundle: Place a piece of kitchen string on your work surface, stack the thyme sprigs on top, then tie tightly around the sprigs with the string and knot it securely. Set aside to infuse the broth later.
  2. Combine Vegetables and Broth: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, add cauliflower florets, cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, celery, chicken broth, bay leaves, the tied thyme bundle, garlic salt, onion powder, and kosher salt. Stir gently to submerge the bouquet and blend seasonings.
  3. Simmer Vegetables: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover with a lid, reduce to a steady simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes until all vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork.
  4. Make the Beurre Manié: While the soup simmers, in a small bowl, combine the softened butter and flour. Use a small spatula or the back of a spoon to mix until you have a thick, smooth paste without lumps. Set aside for later thickening.
  5. Blend Part of the Soup: After vegetables are tender, remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme bundle. Scoop out 3 cups of the soup’s broth and vegetables and transfer them to a blender. Remove the blender’s center lid insert, cover the opening with a funnel or layers of paper towel to prevent splatter, and blend until smooth.
  6. Return Blended Soup and Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour the puréed mixture back into the soup pot. Stir in the milk and shredded chicken. Warm the mixture over low heat until it just begins to simmer gently.
  7. Thicken the Chowder: Gradually add the beurre manié paste by teaspoonfuls to the gently simmering soup, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue until the soup reaches desired thickness.
  8. Add Cheese and Final Seasoning: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  9. Serve: Ladle the chowder into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme leaves and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper for a beautiful and flavorful finish.

Notes

  • If you prefer a chunkier soup, blend less of the vegetable mixture or blend it less thoroughly.
  • Whole milk yields a creamier chowder, but 2% milk can be used for a lighter version.
  • Leftover rotisserie chicken adds convenience and depth of flavor, but turkey works equally well.
  • Adjust thickness by adding more or less beurre manié depending on your preference.
  • The thyme bundle can be replaced with 1 teaspoon dried thyme if fresh is unavailable.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry.

Keywords: Chicken chowder, cauliflower soup, cheddar chowder, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://topreci.com/chicken-cauliflower-cheddar-chowder-recipe/