Name: Hearty Chicken Cauliflower Cheddar Chowder
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 sprigs fresh thyme; 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; 5 cups low sodium chicken broth; 2 bay leaves; 2 teaspoons garlic salt; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups milk; 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese; kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 2½-3 cups leftover or rotisserie chicken, cut or torn into bite-size pieces

Description

This healthy, hearty Chicken Cauliflower Cheddar Chowder is creamy and rich with no cream! It’s loaded with veggies and lean chicken (or turkey) and comes together quickly!

Ingredients

Scale

8 sprigs fresh thyme
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
5 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons garlic salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2½–3 cups leftover or rotisserie chicken, cut or torn into bite-size pieces

Instructions

Prepare thyme: Tie thyme sprigs with kitchen string and set aside.
Simmer vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, combine cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, celery, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme bundle, garlic salt, onion powder, and kosher salt; bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Make Beurre Manie: Combine soft butter and flour in a small bowl and stir until a thick, smooth paste forms.
Puree base: Remove bay leaves and thyme, scoop out 3 cups of broth and vegetables, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.
Thicken and combine: Add milk and chicken, bring to a very low simmer, and stir in the Beurre Manie in teaspoonfuls.
Finish: Add cheese, stir until melted, taste and add salt if needed, and garnish with fresh thyme and black pepper.

Notes

Use soft butter for the Beurre Manie. Leftover chicken, turkey, or rotisserie chicken may be used.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 187 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 908 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 26 mg

Keywords: chicken chowder, cauliflower soup, cheddar chowder, healthy soup