Chicken Soup: Keto-Friendly Comfort Food?

Cream of chicken soup is a popular dish, but is it keto-friendly? The answer is yes, but with some modifications to the traditional recipe.

The key to making a keto-friendly cream of chicken soup is to use a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum instead of flour, which is commonly used in non-keto recipes. This simple swap reduces the carb count significantly, making the soup ideal for a keto diet.

There are several keto-friendly cream of chicken soup recipes available, offering a variety of delicious and satisfying options for those following a keto diet. These recipes typically include ingredients such as chicken broth, heavy cream, and spices, creating a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days.

So, if you're looking for a keto-friendly comfort food, cream of chicken soup is a great option! With its rich and creamy texture and flavorful ingredients, it's sure to satisfy your cravings while keeping you on track with your keto diet.

Is cream of chicken soup keto-friendly?

Cream of chicken soup is a popular comfort food, but is it keto-friendly? The answer is yes, but with some modifications to the traditional recipe.

Traditional Cream of Chicken Soup

Traditional cream of chicken soup is often made with high-carb thickeners, such as flour, and other ingredients that are not keto-friendly, such as vegetable oil, modified food starch, and cane sugar. These ingredients can kick you out of ketosis and stall your weight loss efforts.

Keto-Friendly Cream of Chicken Soup

To make a keto-friendly cream of chicken soup, it's essential to use a low-carb thickener. One popular option is xanthan gum, a natural thickener derived from bacteria that ferments sugar. It has minimal carbs and calories, making it ideal for keto diets.

Another key aspect of a keto-friendly cream of chicken soup is the type of cream used. Heavy whipping cream is a popular choice, but coconut cream or coconut milk can also be used to make the soup dairy-free and keto-friendly.

Recipe Variations

There are numerous ways to customize a keto cream of chicken soup to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas:

• Vegetables: Celery, cauliflower, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers are great low-carb options to add texture, flavor, and nutrients to your soup.
• Meat: While chicken is the star of this soup, you can use other meats like bacon, ground chicken, or ground turkey to add variety.
• Spices and Herbs: Fresh thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, and garlic are commonly used to enhance the flavor of the soup.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese or cream cheese can be added for an extra indulgent touch.
• Broth: Although chicken bone broth is traditional, any broth or stock can be used. For a vegetarian version, vegetable broth can be used, along with mushrooms instead of chicken.

Tips for Preparation and Storage

• Cooking: This soup can be made in a slow cooker, instant pot, pressure cooker, or stovetop, offering flexibility in preparation methods.
• Storage: The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to three months.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat the soup gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the oven.

Cream of chicken soup can be made keto-friendly with a few simple modifications. By using a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum and opting for keto-approved ingredients, you can enjoy a comforting and satisfying bowl of soup that fits within your keto diet.

So, go ahead and give it a try! Experiment with different ingredients and find your perfect keto cream of chicken soup recipe.

How to make keto cream of chicken soup?

How to Make Keto Cream of Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Chicken broth
• Cream cheese
• Half and half
• Salt & Black pepper
• Shredded chicken
• Xanthan gum

Method:

Step One: Add butter to a stockpot on the stove over medium heat. Once melted, add the garlic and onions and cook for 5 minutes.

Step Two: Add the chicken broth and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Step Three: Add the cream cheese, pepper, salt, and half and half. Turn the stovetop heat to low. Grab a stick blender and puree.

Step Four: Add the chicken. Sprinkle the xanthan gum on top and then stir until it is dissolved. As the soup cools, it will thicken.

Tips:

• You can use leftover rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time and add more flavor.
• You can use homemade chicken stock instead of chicken broth.
• Coconut milk can be used in place of half and half.
• You can add more vegetables, such as diced bell peppers and celery.
• You can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• For a starch, you can add cooked white rice, brown rice, or wild rice. For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice.

Storing:

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It is not recommended to freeze this soup as the ingredients may separate once frozen.

How many carbs are in cream of chicken soup?

The number of carbohydrates in cream of chicken soup depends on the specific recipe used. For example, a recipe from My Keto Kitchen contains 4g of carbohydrates per 300g serving, while a recipe from Joy Filled Eats contains 6.5g of carbohydrates per cup. Another recipe from Sugar Free Mom contains only 1g of carbohydrates per 1.5 cups.

It's important to note that the carbohydrate content can vary depending on the ingredients used and the serving size. When calculating the carbohydrate content of a recipe, it's essential to consider the amount of carbohydrates in each ingredient and the number of servings the recipe yields.

Additionally, the type of cream of chicken soup, such as canned or condensed, can also affect the carbohydrate content. For example, a serving of 0.5 cans of Soupreme Cream of Chicken Soup contains 6.2g of total carbohydrates, while a serving of Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup contains 12.8g of carbohydrates per 0.5 cups.

When considering the carbohydrate content of cream of chicken soup, it's always a good idea to refer to the specific recipe or product label for the most accurate information.

Keto-friendly substitutes for cream of chicken soup

Cream of chicken soup is a popular choice for those following a keto diet, but it's important to be mindful of the ingredients used to keep it keto-friendly. Here are some substitutes and variations to ensure your cream of chicken soup stays within the keto diet parameters:

Dairy-free alternatives:

If you're avoiding dairy, there are some easy swaps you can make. Replace the heavy cream with coconut cream to keep the soup rich and creamy while eliminating dairy. You can also swap butter with coconut oil. These simple substitutions will make your cream of chicken soup dairy-free and keto-friendly.

Vegetarian option:

For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Instead of chicken, use mushrooms to give your soup a meaty texture and flavour. This vegetarian cream of mushroom soup is a tasty and keto-friendly option.

Thickeners:

Xanthan gum is a popular low-carb thickener used in keto cream of chicken soup recipes. However, some people prefer to reduce the amount of xanthan gum or use other thickeners like agar agar, tapioca, arrowroot, or corn starch. You can also blend in cauliflower to add thickness and extra vegetable goodness.

Seasonings and spices:

While poultry seasoning is a common ingredient in cream of chicken soup, you can make your own blend using keto-approved herbs and spices. This allows you to control the ingredients and avoid any unwanted additives. Additionally, you can add extra flavour with ingredients like celery, cauliflower, spinach, fresh thyme, rosemary, and cheddar cheese.

Broth variations:

Although chicken bone broth is traditional, you can use any broth or stock you have on hand. For a vegetarian option, vegetable broth works well. You can also use homemade chicken stock for added flavour and nutrition.

Low-carb vegetables:

Adding low-carb vegetables is a great way to boost the nutritional value of your soup. Try chopped broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, celery, zucchini, or riced cauliflower. These additions provide extra fibre, vitamins, and minerals while keeping the soup keto-friendly.

Freezing and storage:

Cream of chicken soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. However, it's not recommended to freeze creamy broth-based soups as the ingredients may separate once frozen.

Remember, when making substitutions, always check the nutritional information and ingredient labels to ensure they align with your keto diet goals. Enjoy experimenting with these substitutes to create a keto-friendly cream of chicken soup that suits your taste preferences and nutritional needs!

Variations for keto cream of chicken soup

There are several ways to vary the standard keto cream of chicken soup recipe to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are some ideas for substitutions and additions:

Substitutions

• Chicken stock instead of chicken broth
• Coconut milk instead of half-and-half
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts
• Ground chicken or turkey instead of chicken breasts
• Arabic gum instead of xanthan gum
• Agar agar instead of xanthan gum
• Tapioca, arrowroot, or corn starch instead of xanthan gum
• Unsweetened almond milk and coconut cream instead of whipping cream
• Rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch

Additions

• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
• Vegetables: Diced bell peppers, celery, chopped broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, zucchini, peas, carrots, cauliflower, or kale
• Rice: Cooked white rice, brown rice, wild rice, or cauliflower rice
• Toppings: Shredded cheese, bacon bits, or green onions

Frequently asked questions