Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe
If you’re craving comfort in a bowl, this Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s rich, velvety, and packed with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms, making it a perfect dish for cool evenings or when you simply want some cozy homemade goodness. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to soup for easy dinners or even meal prep!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced flavors: The mix of fresh herbs, garlic, and sherry adds layers without overpowering the creamy base.
- Creaminess without heaviness: Using cornstarch and heavy cream thickens the soup perfectly for a luscious texture.
- Quick and straightforward: This recipe comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it practical for busy weeknights.
- Comfort in every bite: The chicken and mushrooms soak up flavors beautifully, delivering cozy satisfaction.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe plays a key role in creating its rich and comforting profile. The freshness of herbs and vegetables contrasts with the creamy broth, while the sherry adds a lovely depth of flavor that you might not expect. Let me walk you through why I love each element.

- Unsalted butter: Gives a lovely base for sautéing veggies and mushrooms without adding extra salt, so you control seasoning better.
- Sweet onion: Adds a natural sweetness and body to the soup’s flavor.
- Celery: Brings a subtle, refreshing bite and crunch when sautéed.
- Garlic cloves: Essential for that comforting, savory aroma which makes any soup better.
- Sliced mushrooms: I like mixed varieties for a variety of textures and earthy flavors.
- Fresh rosemary: A few sprigs add a piney, fresh note that complements chicken really well.
- Dried thyme: Classic herb for soups and stews that complements mushrooms and chicken perfectly.
- Dry sherry: Adds a subtle nutty and slightly sweet flavor to deglaze and unlock the mushroom’s umami.
- Boneless chicken breast: Tender, lean protein that cooks relatively quickly and blends beautifully into the soup.
- Chicken broth: The hearty liquid base that carries all the flavors.
- Heavy cream: Gives that luscious creaminess you’re after for this soup without being overly heavy.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the soup thick and silky — a little goes a long way.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens and freshens the finished dish with a pop of green.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting all the flavors.
Tweak to Your Taste
I’m all about making recipes your own, and this creamy chicken mushroom soup is incredibly flexible. I like to tweak it depending on the season or my mood, and trust me, it always turns out delicious.
- Variation: Adding a splash of white wine instead of sherry gives it a slightly different but equally delightful twist. Once, I swapped it out when I didn’t have sherry, and the soup still had a lovely depth.
- Dietary modification: For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with coconut milk or a plant-based creamer and use arrowroot instead of cornstarch; it works surprisingly well.
- Seasonal change: In fall, I toss in some diced carrots and fresh thyme instead of dried for a sweeter, herbier twist I loved serving at a family gathering.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics & Mushrooms
Start by melting the unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. You want the veggies to soften and become fragrant without browning too much. Then add the sliced mushrooms along with rosemary and thyme. Stir occasionally, letting the mushrooms cook down until they’re tender and releasing their beautiful earthy juices — about 6-8 minutes.
Step 2: Deglaze and Add Chicken & Broth
Pour in the dry sherry to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. This step adds so much flavor! Next, nestle your chicken breasts into the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, sprinkle in salt and pepper, then bring everything to a gentle boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through, around 15 minutes.
Step 3: Shred Chicken & Thicken Soup
Use tongs to take the chicken breasts out and place them on a cutting board. Once cool enough, chop into bite-size pieces — I like to keep them a bit chunky for texture. Meanwhile, whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream until smooth with no lumps. Pour this creamy mix back into the soup pot and stir well. Let it simmer gently until thickened, which shouldn’t take long — about 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the chopped chicken and fresh parsley. Give it one more taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Don’t Skip Deglazing: It elevates the mushroom flavor dramatically — I never skip this step, and it makes the soup taste restaurant-quality.
- Gentle Simmer for Chicken: Avoid boiling hard; gentle simmering keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
- Whisk Cornstarch Well: Mixing cornstarch into cream before adding avoids clumps — save yourself the trouble of soup with lumps!
- Fresh Herbs Over Dried: Whenever possible, I add fresh parsley at the end for brightness and fresh flavor that dried herbs can’t match.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe

Garnishes
I love topping this soup with a sprinkle of extra chopped fresh parsley or a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I add a little drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a tiny pinch of smoked paprika for warmth and color. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche makes it feel extra indulgent!
Side Dishes
It pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread — perfect for dunking. Sometimes I serve it alongside a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness. For something heartier, warm garlic bread or soft dinner rolls really complement the soup’s creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve this soup in rustic mugs or mini cast iron bowls, garnished with fresh herbs and a little toasted bread on the side. It feels intimate and inviting. Another fun idea is to hollow out a small round loaf of bread and ladle the soup inside — it’s rustic and totally Instagram-worthy!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it keeps really well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better! Just be sure to cool it before refrigerating and give it a good stir before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup a couple of times and it works well — just freeze in portion-sized containers. When thawed, the texture might be slightly different since cream can separate, but reheating gently and stirring often helps bring it back to silky perfection.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. You can add a splash of chicken broth or cream if it seems too thick. Avoid microwaving without stirring, as the soup can heat unevenly and separate.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of mushrooms in this soup?
Absolutely! This recipe is flexible with mushroom varieties. I love mixing cremini, shiitake, and button mushrooms for depth, but portobellos or chanterelles work great too — just slice them evenly to cook uniformly.
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Is there a dairy-free version of this Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe?
Yes! You can skip the heavy cream or substitute it with coconut milk or other dairy-free creamers. Use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch for thickening to keep it keto-friendly and dairy-free.
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Definitely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly — thighs might take a few minutes longer to cook through but tenderize beautifully in the broth.
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How can I make this soup thicker or thinner?
If you want it thicker, add a little more cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cream). For a thinner soup, simply add extra chicken broth or a splash of water while reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe is one of those dishes I always reach for when I want a little comfort and warmth that feels both indulgent and homemade. It’s straightforward but packed with flavor — exactly what you want when you’re craving something cozy without fuss. I hope you’ll make it, savor it, and maybe even share it, because it’s too good to keep to yourself. Happy cooking!
Print
Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Chicken Mushroom Soup combines tender chicken breasts, mixed mushrooms, and aromatic herbs in a creamy broth enhanced with dry sherry. Perfectly seasoned and thickened with a touch of cream and cornstarch, this hearty soup is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or cozy meal.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 5-6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 18 ounces sliced mushrooms, mixed varieties
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/3 cup dry sherry
Proteins and Liquids
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast
- 8 cups chicken broth
Finish and Flavoring
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot for ketogenic)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the butter to a large 6-8 quart soup pot and set over medium heat. Once melted, add the onions, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Cook Mushrooms and Herbs: Add the sliced mushrooms, fresh rosemary, and dried thyme to the pot. Continue sautéing until the mushrooms have softened and released their moisture, cooking down nicely.
- Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in the dry sherry to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Then add the whole chicken breasts, chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Chicken: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are fully cooked through.
- Chop Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts with tongs and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Thicken Soup: Whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream until smooth with no lumps. Gradually whisk the cream mixture into the soup pot and let it simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Season: Stir the chopped chicken back into the soup, add the chopped parsley, and taste. Adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- This soup is not dairy-free, but it still tastes delightful if you leave the dairy out or substitute with a non-dairy alternative.
- Substitute arrowroot powder for cornstarch if following a ketogenic diet.
- Use mixed varieties of mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, and button mushrooms for enhanced flavor.
- For a lower-fat version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream alternative.
- Make sure to fully cook the chicken breasts to ensure safety and tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg


