Easy Low Carb Chicken Soup
Forget bland, boring low-carb meals! This Low Carb Chicken Soup is bursting with amazing flavor and is ready in a flash. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein, it’s the perfect way to warm up and satisfy your cravings without the guilt. Ditch the takeout and whip up a batch of this low-carb magic—it’s sure to become one of your favorite recipes!
This keto soup recipe was developed by Stephanie Laska and is one of “100 easy-peasy recipes low in carbs, big on flavor” that you will find in her book, The Dirty Lazy Keto 5-Ingredient Cookbook. (I’ll tell you more about the book after the recipe.)
This dish has simple ingredients found at most grocery stores and is only about six grams of net carbs per serving! It’s perfect for anyone on a keto diet or low-carb diet who’s looking for some hearty, comforting food without all the carbs. Whether you’re new to keto recipes or a seasoned pro, this is a great way to enjoy a satisfying meal that fits your lifestyle.
Ingredients
For this creamy, cheesy chicken soup with a Mexican flair, you’ll need:
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained (like Ro*Tel)
- 2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 4.2 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
How To Make Low Carb Chicken Soup
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced tomatoes and green chiles (Ro*Tel), chicken broth, uncooked chicken, and taco seasoning.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook the soup for 20 minutes, stirring regularly and flipping the chicken breasts after 10 minutes.
Shred the chicken using two forks in the pot, or remove the chicken to a plate if you prefer less mess (<<this is what I do), then return the shredded chicken to the soup.
Reheat the pot over medium heat. Stir in the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Let the soup simmer covered for another 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
Serve hot, garnished with a slice of jalapeño or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if desired. This delicious soup is perfect for cold winter nights!
Tips for Perfect Low Carb Chicken Soup
- Use leftover chicken: This soup is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken. If you’re using pre-cooked chicken, simply add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning.
- Cream cheese or sour cream: For an extra creamy texture, consider stirring in a little bit of cream cheese or sour cream after adding the cheese.
- Immersion blender option: If you like a thicker soup, you can blend part of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the cream and cheese.
Storage Information
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This low-carb chicken soup will keep for up to 4 days and is even better the next day! Simply reheat over low heat until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the soup in portions for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat over low heat.
Substitutions and Variations
- Slow cooker or Instant Pot: To make this soup in a slow cooker, add all the ingredients except for the cream and cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken, then stir in the cream and cheese before serving. For an Instant Pot version, use the sauté setting to start, then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release, then follow the same steps for shredding and adding cream and cheese.
- Vegetable swaps: Want to add some low-carb vegetables? Try adding cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or celery root for extra texture and flavor. These vegetables will add bulk without adding many carbs.
- Different proteins: Feel free to use chicken thighs to change up the flavor.
- Spice it up: For a spicier kick, use the HOT version of Ro*Tel or add a dash of chili powder or red pepper flakes.
What To Serve With Low Carb Chicken Soup
This keto chicken soup recipe is delicious on its own, but you can serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a heartier meal. If you’re not counting carbs, it pairs well with spaghetti squash, regular rice, or pasta noodles. For a complete dinner, serve alongside a low-carb salad or steamed green beans. If you’re feeling indulgent, top with a dollop of sour cream, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lime juice.
Taco Seasoning
An easy taco seasoning substitute is to make your own homemade taco seasoning by combining 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
By the Numbers: Nutrition Information
Nutrition information will vary depending on the brands that you use as well as the exact quantities. Below are the numbers that were calculated by Word Press Recipe Maker. You can always double-check the products that you are using and compare to the chart and then make adjustments for your macros.
Calories | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | |
Ro*Tel | 48 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
Vegetable broth | 24 | 6 | ||
Raw chicken | 515 | 12 | 96 | |
Heavy whipping cream | 821 | 7 | 88 | 5 |
Cheddar Cheese | 324 | 1 | 28 | 21 |
Taco seasoning | 5 | 1 |
What To Serve With this Dish
This dish is delicious just the way it is, but if you want to “bulk” it up a little, you can serve it over cauliflower rice (or regular rice for those not counting carbs). You can also serve it alongside a low-carb salad for a Soup and Salad dinner. Just be sure to skip the breadsticks.
Souper Douper Chicken Soup
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles undrained
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 chicken breasts approximately 4.2 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, add diced tomatoes and green chiles, broth, chicken, and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook 20 minutes covered. Stir regularly and flip breasts after 10 minutes.
- Let cool, then shred chicken using two forks, keeping chicken in the pan. Reheat pan over medium heat. Stir in cream and cheese. Let simmer covered another 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Let cool and then serve warm in four bowls.
Notes
Nutrition
The Dirty Lazy Keto 5-Ingredient Cookbook
Dirty Lazy Keto Cookbook is the perfect book for anyone who wants to make keto accessible. With 100 recipes that are all under 10g net carbs per serving, this book will have you cooking up delicious meals in no time! Plus, Stephanie’s down-to-earth advice and mindset on how we should stop overthinking keto makes it an easy read.
You don’t need expensive specialty items or hours in the kitchen to make these recipes happen. They’re perfect for anyone who wants a low-carb, high-fat diet without sacrificing flavor or variety!
With recipes covering every meal of the day plus snacks and drinks – all made with inexpensive ingredients from chain grocery stores with an average person’s tastes in mind – this book really does make keto accessible in a way it never has been before.
The Dirty Lazy Keto Cookbook is the perfect book for anyone who wants to lose weight and eat delicious food. It’s written by Stephanie, a keto coach with years of experience helping people succeed on their diet journey. She understands what it’s like to be in your shoes – she lost 140 lbs (half her body weight) eating her signature DIRTY, LAZY, KETO way without being perfect or expecting others to be perfect either. This cookbook will help you get started on your own keto journey and make it easier than ever before!
The over 26,000 members of her DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Facebook support group will attest that both Stephanie and her methods are fun and they work!
Be sure to tag Stephanie Laska and me on Instagram if you make this dish. Also, don’t forget to pass on the link to this blog post to share with your friends. They will thank you for it!