Nothing warms the soul quite like a delicious bowl of soup! This Savory Million Dollar Soup comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick weeknight meal that your family will absolutely love! You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have at home or even use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to turn leftovers into something special. Let’s dive into this comforting bowl of goodness!
Choosing the Perfect Ingredients for Million Dollar Soup
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 cup yellow corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Savory Million Dollar Soup
Start with Bacon : Cook the bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes until it’s nice and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels oh, that smell is divine! Leave the bacon fat in the pot; we’ll use that for flavor.
Sauté the Veggies : Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally so nothing burns! In the last minute, toss in the minced garlic and stir continuously, it is just the best, isn’t it?
Build the Flavor Base : Pour in the chicken broth. Now sprinkle in the smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to let those flavors meld together.
Make it Creamy : While you’re waiting on the soup, if your cream cheese isn’t softened yet, microwave it for about 20 seconds. Add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and half-and-half to the pot. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and create a creamy broth, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!
Add Remaining Ingredients : Stir in the shredded chicken and corn kernels, letting everything simmer gently for another 5 minutes until heated through and the corn is tender. It’s looking good, isn’t it?
Taste and Tailor : Now, give it a taste, and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If your soup is thicker than you like, feel free to add more broth or cream to achieve your desired consistency.
Serve in Style : Ladle the soup into bowls, and didn’t forget to top it with the crispy bacon pieces and freshly chopped parsley. Your family will be so excited, trust me!
Why I Love This Recipe
This savory Million Dollar Soup is definitely my go-to recipe when chilly weather hits. Honestly, it feels like a warm hug in a bowl. My family loves it, and I’m a real sucker for quick and easy meals that don’t skimp on flavor. The best part is that you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. Leftover veggies? Toss ’em in! Chicken from last night’s dinner? Perfect! This recipe’s versatility makes it a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
If you loved this Savory Million Dollar Soup, be sure to check out my Mexican Street Corn Soup, my Slow Cooker Beef Meal, or my Marry Me Chicken Soup! They’re all quick, simple meals that everyone will enjoy.
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This hearty soup is loaded with tons of flavor! With its creamy texture and delightful combination of ingredients, it’s completely comforting after a long day. Plus, the smoky bacon and tangy cheese just take it to another level. Who doesn’t want comfort food like this?
Quick & Easy
It comes together all in about 30 minutes, making this the perfect weeknight meal. Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how fast and simple it is, especially since it’s all in one pot. Less cleanup, more time to binge-watch your favorite show!
Customizable
The beauty of this soup is how adaptable it is! Use whatever ingredients you have. Feeling like a little kale? Toss it in! Got a couple of leftovers in the fridge? Go for it! You can mix and match with confidence and creativity.
Crowd-Pleaser
With rich flavors and a satisfying creamy texture, the whole family will love it! My pickiest eater couldn’t get enough, which is a WIN in my book. Plus, it’s great for gatherings or potlucks!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Soup
Serve this savory soup with crusty bread, crackers, or a simple side salad for a balanced meal. I love scooping it up with a slice of buttered baguette, so good!
Storage
This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container. The flavors actually deepen as it sits!
Reheating Instructions
When you’re ready to enjoy those leftovers, simply reheat it over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to achieve the desired consistency.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! This soup freezes beautifully. Just make sure to leave out the cream when you freeze it as it doesn’t fare well in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, and then add cream during the final heating stage.
So, there you have it Savory Million Dollar Soup! A perfect blend of convenience, flavor, and comfort that will warm both your heart and your home. Don’t forget to share your own variations; I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. Happy cooking, friends! Follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Savory Million Dollar Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes until crispy. Remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. In the last minute, add minced garlic and stir continuously.
- Pour in the chicken broth, sprinkle in smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- If cream cheese isn’t softened, microwave it for about 20 seconds. Add softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and half-and-half to the pot, stirring until the cheeses melt.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and corn kernels, letting everything simmer gently for another 5 minutes until heated through.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is thicker than preferred, stir in more broth or cream.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, top with crispy bacon pieces and freshly chopped parsley.