A cozy, chowder-style chicken potato soup in ~40 minutes, weeknight-easy, fall-friendly, and big on comfort.
Tender chicken, buttery potatoes, and a silky broth that turns any chilly night into soup night.

Why You’ll Love It
- Chowder texture, zero fuss: Thick and creamy without feeling heavy—ideal for Hearty Chicken Soup and Chicken Chowder Soup searches.
- Flexible protein: Use diced raw chicken or rotisserie; both finish juicy (to 165°F/74°C).
- Budget-friendly pantry build: Potatoes, carrots, celery, broth, and milk—classic Homemade Potato Soup vibes.
- Easy to customize: Turn it into Loaded Baked Potato Soup with cheddar, bacon, and chives—or go lighter with Greek yogurt.
- Crockpot-ready: Hands-off slow cooker option for busy days.
Love slow cooker soups? Try Crock-Pot Crack Potato Soup and Slow Cooker Turkey Soup. For a protein-packed bowl, see High-Protein Stuffed Pepper Soup.
Ingredients (notes only)
Base & Aromatics
- Butter + olive oil—balanced flavor and browning.
- Onion, celery, carrots—classic mirepoix sweetness.
- Garlic—add late so it doesn’t scorch.
Protein & Potatoes
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (diced ½–¾”): juicy, quick-cooking. Rotisserie also works.
- Yukon gold potatoes, diced ¾”: hold shape yet go creamy at the edges.
Body & Creaminess
- Flour (or cornstarch slurry, GF) to lightly thicken.
- Low-sodium chicken broth + milk and a splash of half-and-half (or evaporated milk) for chowder texture.
- Bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika (optional), salt & black pepper.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt to finish silky.
Load It Up (optional)
Shredded cheddar, crisp bacon, chives/green onions for Loaded Baked Potato Soup energy. Corn for Potato Chowder Soup.
Step-by-Step (Stovetop, ~40 minutes)
- Sauté aromatics. Melt 2 Tbsp butter with 1 Tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven (medium heat). Add 1 diced onion, 2 celery ribs, 2 carrots; cook 5–6 min until soft. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 sec.
- Bloom & thicken. Sprinkle ¼ cup flour over veggies; stir 1 min (no white streaks).
- Build the base. Gradually whisk in 6 cups broth until smooth. Add 2 lb Yukon gold potatoes (¾” dice), 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp thyme, ¼ tsp smoked paprika, ¾ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper.
- Add chicken. Stir in 1½ lb diced chicken (or 2½ cups shredded rotisserie). Simmer gently 12–15 min until potatoes are tender and chicken is 165°F.
- Make it creamy. Stir in 1 cup milk + ½ cup half-and-half (or 1 can evaporated milk). Simmer 2–3 min (don’t boil hard).
- Finish. Off heat, fold in ¼–½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt. Adjust salt/pepper.
- Load (optional). Top bowls with cheddar, bacon, chives.
Cue: Potatoes should be tender but not falling apart; soup lightly coats the spoon.
Pro Tips
- Dice evenly so potatoes and chicken finish together.
- Gentle simmer preserves creamy texture; hard boils can split dairy.
- Too thick? Add warm broth or milk. Too thin? Simmer 3–5 min uncovered or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
- Rotisserie hack: Add in Step 4 and reduce simmer by 3–4 min.
Variations (mapped to interests)
- Chicken Chowder Soup: Add 1 cup corn and ½ cup diced red bell pepper in Step 3.
- Creamy Potato Soup (no chicken): Skip chicken; add extra ½ lb potatoes and an extra spoon of sour cream.
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Stir in 1 cup cheddar in Step 5; top with bacon + chives.
- Fall Soup Recipes: Finish with fresh thyme and serve with a leafy side salad.
- Potato Chowder Soup (lighter): Use all milk + Greek yogurt; skip half-and-half.
How to Serve
- With crusty bread, simple green salad, or a baked potato bar of toppings.
- Pair your soup night lineup with Crock-Pot Crack Potato Soup for variety or keep a second pot of Slow Cooker Turkey Soup on Warm.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Fridge: 4 days. Cool fast; store covered.
- Reheat: Medium-low on stovetop; thin with broth/milk if needed.
- Freeze: Best before adding dairy (Step 5). Thaw overnight; reheat and add dairy/yogurt to finish.
FAQs
Can I use russet potatoes?
Yes—peel and dice; they break down more for a thicker soup.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Skip flour. Thicken at the end with a 2 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water slurry.
Why is my soup grainy?
Boiled after dairy. Keep it under a simmer once milk/cream go in.
Simple Nutrition (estimate, per 1½-cup serving)
~320 kcal • Protein 24g • Carbs 33g • Fat 12g • Sodium ~780mg
Estimates vary by ingredients/brands.

Chicken Potato Soup (Creamy, Hearty)
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or 2 Tbsp cornstarch, GF)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 lb Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and ¾-inch diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 3/4–1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced (165°F when done)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup half-and-half (or 1 can evaporated milk)
- 1/4–1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, to finish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (optional topping)
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional topping)
- chives or green onions, for garnish
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large soup pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- chef’s knife and cutting board
- ladle
- measuring cups and spoons
Method
- Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots for 5–6 minutes; add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the broth until smooth and lump-free.
- Add potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Stir in diced chicken and simmer gently for 12–15 minutes until potatoes are tender and chicken reaches 165°F.
- Add milk and half-and-half, then simmer gently for 2–3 minutes (do not boil).
- Remove from heat and fold in sour cream or Greek yogurt. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with optional toppings.
Nutrition
Notes
Rotisserie Shortcut: Skip Step 4’s raw chicken and add 2½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken in the last 5–7 minutes.
Loaded Option: Stir in cheddar cheese in Step 5, then top each bowl with crumbled bacon and chives.
Serve with crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal.