Description
Chicken Butternut Squash Soup is a creamy, light, and hearty fall-inspired dish blending tender chicken and sweet butternut squash into a comforting and nourishing bowl. Perfect for cozy autumn nights, this soup is easy to prepare, packed with seasonal flavors, and suitable for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, diced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced into uniform cubes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
Herbs & Spices
- 2 tsp fresh thyme or sage (or a mix), chopped
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional
- Olive oil or butter for sautéing
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes (for spicy variation)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Peel and dice the butternut squash into uniform cubes for even cooking. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure smooth cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent. Add the diced chicken, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
- Simmer the Soup: Add the cubed butternut squash and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the squash is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
- Blend for Creaminess: Use an immersion blender to partially or fully puree the soup based on your preference. For chunkier soup, blend half; for silky smooth texture, blend completely. Alternatively, carefully transfer in batches to a blender.
- Finish with Cream and Season: Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Add fresh thyme or sage and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat gently without boiling, then serve.
Notes
- Choose firm, unblemished butternut squash for the best sweetness and creaminess.
- For more flavor, cook with bone-in chicken pieces and remove bones before blending.
- Fresh thyme or sage greatly enhance the flavor and aroma of the soup.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding more broth for a lighter soup or more cream for richness.
- Lightly toast nutmeg or spices to release deeper, richer aromas.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooled soup (without cream) in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months; add cream when reheating.
- Reheat gently on low heat, adding broth or cream if needed to restore texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chicken soup, butternut squash soup, fall soup, creamy chicken soup, autumn recipe, gluten-free soup, comforting soup, easy soup recipe