Picture this: a chilly evening, a warm blanket, and a bowl of pure comfort. But not just *any* comfort – we’re talking about a dish that marries the familiar flavors of lasagna with the cozy vibes of a creamy soup. Get ready to dive into a bowl of Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup | Cozy & Comforting, a recipe so easy and delicious, it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. I promise, this isn’t just soup; it’s a hug in a bowl!
Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients
Here is everything you’ll need to create this magical soup:
For the Chicken & Veggies:
- Chicken Breasts: 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless (you can also use leftover cooked chicken!)
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and chopped
- Celery: 2 stalks, chopped
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Italian Seasoning: 2 teaspoons
- Salt & Pepper: To taste
For the Creamy Broth:
- Chicken Broth: 8 cups (low sodium preferred)
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Cream Cheese: 4 oz, softened
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
For the Lasagna Goodness:
- Lasagna Noodles: 8 oz, broken into bite-sized pieces (oven-ready or regular)
- Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish
Step-by-Step to a Bowl of Warmth
Let’s get down to the fun part! I’ll walk you through each step to make sure this soup is a success.
Cooking the Chicken & Veggies:
- If using raw chicken, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.
- Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it with two forks.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Creating the Creamy Dreamy Broth:
- Pour chicken broth into the pot with the vegetables. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering broth. If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, you might need to cook them a bit longer than oven-ready. Cook according to package directions until noodles are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the broth is creamy and smooth. Don’t boil the soup after adding the cream, as it can curdle!
- Stir in the shredded chicken and Parmesan cheese. Heat through. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serving & Garnish:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy every delicious spoonful!
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Soup
Okay, bestie, let’s talk about some insider secrets to make this soup truly shine:
- Chicken Choices: Don’t feel limited to chicken breasts! You can use leftover rotisserie chicken for an even faster version. Just skip step 1 and add the shredded chicken directly to the soup at the end.
- Noodle Nuances: If you’re using regular lasagna noodles and want to avoid sticking, try adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the broth while they cook. Also, keep an eye on them! Overcooked noodles will make the soup mushy.
- Cream Cheese Savvy: Make sure your cream cheese is *truly* softened. This will help it melt smoothly into the broth. If you’re short on time, you can microwave it for a few seconds (but be careful not to melt it completely!).
- Spice it Up: Want a little kick? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
- Make Ahead Magic: This soup is even better the next day! The flavors have time to meld together beautifully. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Variations to Make It Your Own
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but feel free to get creative and put your personal spin on it! Here are a few ideas:
- Veggie Power: Add other vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Cheese Please!: Experiment with different cheeses! Mozzarella, ricotta, or even a little bit of Gouda would be delicious.
- Spice it Up: Add a can of diced tomatoes (drained) for a tangy twist.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make this soup accessible to everyone.
The Secret to the Creamy Texture
The creamy texture is definitely the star of this soup. The combination of heavy cream and cream cheese is what makes it so decadent and comforting. But here’s a little secret: you can use milk instead of heavy cream to lighten it up a bit. Just be sure to use whole milk for the best results. You can also add a slurry of cornstarch (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to thicken the soup if it’s not creamy enough for your liking. Stir it in slowly at the end and let it simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
Other Soup Recipes You’ll Adore
If you’re a soup lover like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes. You should definitely try my LASAGNA SOUP if you want a tomato-based lasagna soup. For those busy weeknights, CROCKPOT LASAGNA SOUP is a game-changer. And if you’re craving something ultra-comforting, you HAVE to try MARRY ME CHICKEN SOUP – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Speaking of chicken soup, CREAMY CHICKEN SOUP is a classic for a reason. Don’t forget to check out CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN and CREAMY DREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE for other creamy chicken delights!
Why This Soup Is a Winner
Honestly, what’s not to love? This Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup is:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and creamy broth is simply divine.
- Comforting & Cozy: It’s the perfect soup to warm you up on a cold day.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time.
- Versatile: You can easily customize it to your liking with different vegetables, cheeses, and spices.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone will love this soup, from kids to adults.
Final Thoughts: Soup’s On!
So there you have it – my Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup recipe! I truly believe this will become one of your go-to cozy meals. It’s so simple to make and tastes absolutely incredible. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do. Happy cooking, friend!
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts for the Creamy Chicken Lasagna Soup?
Yes! You can use leftover rotisserie chicken for a faster version of the soup. Skip the step of cooking the chicken and add the shredded rotisserie chicken directly to the soup at the end.
What can I do to prevent the lasagna noodles from sticking together while cooking in the soup?
If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, try adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the broth while they cook. Also, keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, which can make the soup mushy.
How long can I store leftover Creamy Chicken Lasagna Soup?
You can store leftover Creamy Chicken Lasagna Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld together even better the next day!
Can I make this soup lighter by reducing the amount of fat?
Yes, you can use whole milk instead of heavy cream to lighten up the soup. You can also add a slurry of cornstarch (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to thicken the soup if it’s not creamy enough for your liking.
Creamy Chicken Lasagna Soup
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Two forks (for shredding chicken)
- Ladle
- Bowls for serving
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or leftover cooked chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces oven-ready or regular
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- If using raw chicken, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.
- Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it with two forks.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot with the vegetables. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering broth. If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, you might need to cook them a bit longer than oven-ready. Cook according to package directions until noodles are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the broth is creamy and smooth. Don’t boil the soup after adding the cream, as it can curdle!
- Stir in the shredded chicken and Parmesan cheese. Heat through. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.