(add some of the optional veggies and omit chicken for a hearty vegetable chowder)
Servings: 8
Equipment
· Large Saucepan · large stock pot · Wooden Spoon & Wire Whisk
Ingredients
·        
1 Tbsp olive oil
·        
1 onion diced
·        
2 cloves
garlic minced
·        
½ cup butter
·        
1 cup flour
·        
4 cups DOUBLE
STRENGTH chicken broth
·        
2 pounds boneless,
skinless chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces (or 2 large
cans chicken breast w/liquid)
·        
*2 heads fresh
broccoli (or 2 bags of frozen broccoli)
·        
1 teaspoon salt
·        
½ teaspoon garlic
powder
·        
1 teaspoon ground
black pepper
·        
½ teaspoon cayenne
pepper
·        
a couple shakes of hot
sauce optional
·        
4 cup milk
·        
3 cups medium
cheddar cheese, shredded
·        
½ cup shredded
Parmesan cheese
*Optional:   10-16 oz frozen sweet
white corn, 1-2 cups shredded carrots, 2-3 cups diced celery
Instructions
1.            
In a large saucepan, add
1 Tbsp. olive oil, sauté onion and garlic over medium high heat until tender
(just a couple of minutes).
2.            
Add butter and flour (yes,
1 whole cup flour), lower heat to medium, and cook until roux is bubbly and
starting to brown (it will start to smell amazing!).
3.           
Pour roux into a large
stock pot and add chicken broth, stirring the entire time you add the broth
to prevent lumps.
4.            
Add chicken, chopped broccoli,
& ANY other veggies,  salt, garlic
powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce to stock pot and cook for
about 35-40 minutes (less if using chopped frozen broccoli).
5.            
Stir in cheese and
milk until cheese is fully melted and serve.
Favorite soup toppings:
·        
Sour cream
·        
Cheddar cheese
·        
Chives
·        
Green onion
·        
Croutons
·        
Oyster crackers
·        
Tortilla strips 
·        
Avocado
Adapted from:  https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/chicken-and-broccoli-cheese-soup-recipe/
