Looking for a healthy cream soup? With sauteed chicken and thickened with avocado, this is exactly the soup for you. I developed this recipe to fill my cravings for a thick and creamy soup but also to meet my need for healthy fats. I also had many vegetables and quickly ripening avocados that I needed to use up. Cream of broccoli and Spinach soup is the perfect answer.
This soup can be served as an entree for your meal, add a crusty baguette and it will warm you and fill you up. You can also serve this as an appetizer or part of the savory course for an afternoon tea. In a shooter style glass, this cream of broccoli and spinach soup is a flavorful and surprising addition.
This recipe is very versatile and easy to prepare, so let’s go through the steps. Once you get the basic soup down, be creative and use up those vegetables and change up the toppings. There’s no limit.
![Fresh broccoli cut up and waiting to be simmered.](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Broccoli-and-Spinach.jpg)
Take 2 cups of fresh spinach and 1 large bunch of fresh broccoli. Chop up the broccoli into small pieces. You will be simmering this to a soft texture that will allow you to puree it.
![Broccoli and spinach in cooking pot](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Raw-veggies-in-pot.jpg)
Place the spinach and broccoli in a large pot. Add 1 – 1 1/2 quarts of chicken broth. I like to use the unsalted version. Add 1 tsp of salt to the mixture. Cover your pan and turn on the heat bringing the mixture to a low simmer. You will want both the spinach and the broccoli to be well cooked.
![Fresh avocado seeded and ready to be used as creaming agent for soup](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Avocado-2.jpg)
While the spinach and broccoli are cooking, prepare the avocados. Seed and cut into small pieces. Remember, the avocado will be used for thickening the soup. You won’t taste the avocado, its natural fattiness will thicken without flavoring the soup. You can use 3 small avocados or 2 large ones. And use up those ripened ones – they will be easier to blend. Once prepared, set them aside.
To prepare the chicken, cut it into small pieces. Using the 1 tbsp of olive oil, brown and crisp up the chicken. I like to use chicken that I already have cooked. You can use rotisserie chicken or even cook up some fresh chicken. Whatever you have available. Once done, set aside.
![chicken breast cut up and sauteing in pan](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Chicken.jpg)
With the vegetables done, put in the avocado and grab your immersion blender. Another one of my favorite kitchen tools, then I use my immersion blender for soups, smashed vegetables, gravies, sauces and even smoothies, just to name a few items. Blend the soup until its creamy. You can also use a blender but you may need to do this in batches and remember that the soup is hot – don’t over fill your blender with this hot liquid.
Immersion blending the soup Blended soup thickened
Once the soup is blended, add the chicken and gently stir. Add the ground pepper. Taste for seasonings but I rarely have to add anything. Ladle into your serving bowls and top with fresh parsley and goat cheese. You can serve the goat cheese as a medallion or crumbled. It will melt into this amazing bright taste and pairs very well with this rich thick soup. And yes, its thickened with avocados.
![Combining the sauteed chicken with the cream soup](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Creamed-soup-with-Chicken.jpg)
You can substitute the parsley for fresh cilantro. Top with a few slices of radishes and you have another variation to this delightful soup. Change out the chicken for sausage and you have yet another delicious option. On a chilly day when the wind is blowing and you are snuggled up inside your home, this soup brings a delightful and healthy version of a creamed soup. And its thickened with avocado – have a second bowl!
![Plated bowl of Cream of Broccoli and Spinach Soup with Chicken and Goat cheese, thickened with avocado](https://teastheseason3.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Finished-soup-1-1.jpg)
Products used in this recipe –
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. Look at the products and enjoy!
Spinach and Broccoli Cream Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken Can use precooked or rotisserie chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 bunch fresh broccoli, cut into small pieces
- 1 ½ quarts chicken broth
- 3 Small ripe avocados Can use 2 large ones
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 8 tbsp goat cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Chop fresh broccoli into small pieces – so to speed up the cooking process.
- Place fresh broccoli, fresh spinach, and chicken broth in large cooking pot. Add salt. Turn on to low simmer in order to cook the vegetables.
- Cut chicken up in small pieces. Put olive oil in frying pan. Brown chicken pieces. Set aside.
- Cut the avocados up into small pieces. These are the thickener for the soup – so they need to be reasonable small pieces.
- Add the avocados to the cooked vegetables. Using an immersion blender, puree soup. You can use a blender as well if you like.
- Once completed smooth, add chicken to soup. Stir to mix.
- Serve hot. Top with 1 tbsp of goat cheese, either in a medallion or crumbled.
43 Comments
Sydney Delong
Ooo this looks good!! And perfect for a cold winter day!
Beth
Thanks Sydney – Its the season for sure. But so versatile – change it up and you will have a delicious soup. Appreciate your comments.
jen
This looks so amazingly healthy!!!! With all these colds going around I think i’ll make this for supper!
Beth
Hi Jen – Well it was something I “resorted” to when I was searching for something creamy but could incorporate healthy fats. It surprised me and since then, its been something I change up all the time. And truly, have served in a shooter for an afternoon tea or appetizer. Who would have known! Thanks for your comment.
Brianna
I like that it has avacado. I bet it’s delicious
Beth
Hi Brianna – I am learning you can use vegetables to thicken quite a bit. The avocado worked perfectly and was a surprise the first time I tried it. Thanks!
Lora Rovegna
I love a good, healthy soup. That looks tasty.
Beth
Thanks Lora. It surprised me but has become a favorite.
Debbie
Nice! Looks yummy and so healthy!
Beth
Thanks Debbie. Glad that you enjoyed the read.
Tricia Snow
Two of my favorite things! I love this! So healthy.
Beth
Thanks Tricia – thanks for your comments. Yes – pretty healthy but tastes decadent!
Lucy
Yum, sounds delicious!!
Beth
Thanks Lucy. Yes surprisingly it is.
Lisa Manderino
I love broccoli, I will have to try!
Beth
Hi Lisa – yes please do. And have fun with any variations. Its simple, quick and tastes delicious. Thanks!
heather J jandrue
Perfect for a cold winter day.
Beth
Hi Heather – yes and we are definitely in that season now. Thanks!
Kareena
This looks so yummy! I cannot wait to try! Thank you for sharing!
Beth
Hi Kareena – thanks so much. I hope you enjoy it – and change it up. It has lots of variations!
Jennifer
looks yum. I made broccoli soup. And, i knocked it over when I was putting it into containers for the freezer. So, it ran down over the bench down the cupboard. I haven’t made it since. lol.
Beth
Hi Jennifer – So sorry about your broccoli soup debacle. I have a whole mental file of those times when things haven’t gone as smoothly as I would have wanted. You’ve got this…try again!
Lee Anne
Looks great! Saving for later 🙂
Beth
Thanks Lee Anne. A very easy soup to do.
Lora
Yes! Love GREEN food! And this soup fits into my plant paradox diet. Thank you for a yummy looking soup recipe!!
Beth
You are quite welcome Lora. I hope you enjoy it. Its easy and delicious. Thanks!
judean
I am so looking forward to trying this – the cold hasn’t really slammed us yet in Upstate NY so I will be ready when it does!
Beth
Hi Judean – well Upstate NY would certainly warrant a thick, warm, comforting soup. Easy and quick – and remember you can try the variations with anything you have in your kitchen. Enjoy and keep warm!
vanessa
This looks delicious. I love the shooter idea.
Beth
Hi Vanessa – Yes, the shooter is fun. If I was using for an appetizer, I would have a tray of them – no spoon, just drink it down. If serving as a savory for an afternoon tea, I would provide a demitasse spoon and let the guest choose to either sip or use the spoon. Either way, its fun. Thanks.
Lisa
This looks so good. Going to try to make some this weekend.
Beth
Hi Lisa – How fun that you are going to try this. Please let me know how it goes and if you change it up…that’s the fun of this. Thanks for your comment.
Barbara
Looks nice and thick. Just wondering about the spinach. I like it but sometimes it does not set well with me. Any suggestions for that?
Have you ever done similar using cauliflower? I love potato soup…….hmmmm
Beth
Hi Barb – well the spinach is cooked down quite a bit and then pureed. Have not done with other vegetables yet – but give it a try and let me know how it works. You can leave the spinach out as well and just use the broccoli. Very versatile.
Katherine Wolfe
I LOVE broccoli, spinach AND avocado! Bring on the green soup!
Beth
Hi Katherine – glad that you enjoyed the post. Enjoy the soup!
Tonya | the Writer Mom
Interesting combination! I never would have thought to put those things together to make a soup
T.M. Brown
Hmmm ~ I’m trying to wrap my head around this one. I know it sounds healthy, but it just might not be one I’m willing to give a try. Kudos to all those who do enjoy it!!!
Beth
Hi T.M. – I completely understand. I am a full on cream, roux, butter kind of gal. So this was completely a surprise to me. But completely respect your stepping back – I would have done the same. I am STILL a full on cream, roux, kind of gal ha. But this opened my eyes to some other adventures. Thanks!
jody
All I can say is yummy.
Beth
Thanks Jody. It is!
Cindy
This looks good! I think I could simply leave out the chicken and cheese and use vegetable broth to make it vegan for me.
Beth
Hi Cindy – that sounds amazing as well. I have found it just lays the platform for so many variations. Let me know how it works! Thanks.