Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup Is the Cozy, High-Protein Dinner You Need to Make This Week

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This Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup is a cozy, one-pot meal that brings together all the flavors of a classic baked potato with a fresh, hearty twist. Tender potatoes and broccoli simmer into a creamy base, while rotisserie chicken adds plenty of protein. Sharp Cheddar and sour cream give it that signature “loaded” flavor, and a finishing touch of crispy bacon and scallions completes the dish. Balanced yet comforting, it’s a weeknight-friendly recipe that tastes like a hug in a bowl.

Recipe image of Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup.
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
6
  • This hearty meal combines vegetables and rotisserie chicken for a cozy flavor.
  • This soup is packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the veggies. 
  • Everything comes together in one pot for quick cleanup.

Our Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup delivers on flavor in a loaded way! Antioxidant-rich and fiber-packed veggies including scallions, onions, potatoes and broccoli add great flavor and nutrition to this soup. Protein-rich chicken breast bumps up the satiety factor, along with the rich, creamy broth and complements of cream cheese and heavy cream. Load this up with Cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles and sour cream, and you’ve got a winning soup everyone will love. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to prep this soup to save time, how to add even more flavor and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Although it’s more expensive, you can start with precut broccoli florets and then cut them down into smaller, bite-size pieces.
  • For added flavor, consider substituting the regular cream cheese with chive-and-onion cream cheese.
  • Covering the pot can help the contents come to a boil faster, but be sure to keep an eye on it. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to prevent the pot from boiling over.

Nutrition Notes

  • Baby new potatoes are packed with potassium, which helps to pull excess sodium out of the body to maintain healthy blood pressure. Potatoes are also a source of fiber when the skins are left on—great for digestive health. 
  • Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that contains compounds called glucosinolates, which give broccoli its bitter taste and may be responsible for heart-health benefits and for fighting inflammation. 
  • Rotisserie chicken is a convenient and tasty way to add extra protein to dishes like this one. Be mindful that rotisserie chicken may contain high amounts of sodium, which is why it is always helpful to taste your recipes before adding more salt.
Ingredients for a broccoli and chicken soup arranged on a countertop including potatoes broccoli chicken and seasonings

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 medium scallions

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion

  • pounds yellow baby new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered (about 4 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • teaspoons garlic powder

  • teaspoons onion powder

  • 6 cups unsalted chicken broth

  • 2 large heads broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces (about 5 cups)

  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

  • 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed and softened

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ½ cup shredded 2% reduced-fat sharp yellow Cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup reduced-fat sour cream

  • ¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon (from about 4 slices)

Directions

  1. Trim scallions and separate the light and dark green parts. Thinly slice the light green and white parts and set aside. Thinly slice the dark green parts; reserve separately for topping.

  2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add ½ cup onion and the sliced white and light green scallions; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes.

    Diced onions sauting in a pot

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

  3. Add quartered potatoes, 2 tablespoons flour and 1½ teaspoons each garlic powder and onion powder; stir to coat. Increase heat to high; stir in 6 cups broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, covered, until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

    A pot containing sliced potatoes and chopped onions on a countertop part of a recipe preparation

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in broccoli; cover, and cook until tender and bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups chicken, the softened cubed cream cheese, ½ cup cream and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through, about 4 minutes.

    Cooking pot with broccoli and chicken soup featuring potatoes and broth wooden spoon inside the pot

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

  5. Divide the soup among 6 bowls. Top with ½ cup Cheddar, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup bacon and the reserved scallions.

To make ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Would this soup work with cauliflower?

    While we didn’t test it with cauliflower, the texture is similar enough to broccoli, so it should work. Whatever vegetable you choose to add, consider its texture to avoid adding it too soon. For example, if you decide to include green beans or spinach, be mindful not to add them to the soup right away, as they may become mushy from cooking too long.

  • Can I swap the sharp Cheddar for a different cheese?

    You can definitely give it a try. We found that the shredded 2% reduced-fat sharp yellow Cheddar cheese worked particularly well in this recipe. However, you might want to experiment with other options such as mild Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack or pepper Jack. Keep in mind that your choice of cheese may affect the overall calorie count of the dish.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Store the soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat it, you can do so on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave using 30-second intervals. The aim is to warm the soup to your liking without overheating it, which could cause it to curdle.

  • Is processed meat bad for you?

    Excessive consumption of processed meats like bacon can increase your risk of cancer, according to research. If you'd like to limit your consumption, you can leave the bacon out. The soup has plenty of savory flavor without it.

EatingWell.com, October 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

496 Calories
26g Fat
35g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 2 cups
Calories 496
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 26g 34%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 117mg 39%
Vitamin A 333µg
Vitamin C 92mg 102%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 9%
Folate 87µg
Vitamin K 92µg
Sodium 647mg 28%
Calcium 205mg 16%
Iron 3mg 14%
Magnesium 77mg 18%
Potassium 1106mg 24%
Zinc 2mg 20%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.