Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ½ lb chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb baby button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 lb baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp ground marjoram
- 5 tbsp grape juice
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 6 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ⅓ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Garnish
- Leftover mushrooms, pan-fried
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Place a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the diced chicken breasts and cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through until fully cooked.
- Remove Chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the pot and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Add the sliced baby button and baby Bella mushrooms to the pot and sauté for about 6 minutes until tender. Reserve some mushrooms for garnish before proceeding.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in finely chopped onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, ground marjoram, and grape juice. Sauté this mixture for about 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Simmer Soup Base: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Return the chicken to the pot, stir everything together, and allow it to simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes so flavors meld.
- Add Cheeses and Cream: Lower the heat slightly and whisk in cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and shredded cheddar cheese until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Prepare Garnish: Pan-fry any reserved mushrooms until browned and fragrant.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the pan-fried mushrooms, extra shredded cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped parsley for an appealing finish.
Notes
- Use grape juice sparingly to add a subtle sweetness that balances the earthiness of mushrooms.
- Reserve some mushrooms before adding onions and garlic to ensure a nice garnish with texture.
- The soup can be thickened further by simmering longer or adding a slurry of xanthan gum for strict low-carb adherence.
- Substitute cream cheese with heavy cream for a lighter texture, though cream cheese adds richness and stability.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free