Weight Watchers Creamy Chicken Broccoli Soup
Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (0 points)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (0 points)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (0 points)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (0 points)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (0 points)
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or fat-free milk (1 point)
  • 1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened (3 points)
  • 1/4 cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt (0 points)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (4 points)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water (0 points)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the vegetables:
    • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
    • Add the onions and garlic, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the broccoli:
    • Stir in the broccoli florets and cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Add the broth:
    • Pour in the chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
    • Let it cook for about 10 minutes until the broccoli becomes tender.
  4. Blend part of the soup:
    • Using an immersion blender, blend about half of the soup directly in the pot to thicken it (leave some broccoli chunks for texture). You can also transfer some of the soup to a blender, blend it, and return it to the pot.
  5. Add the creaminess:
    • Stir in the light cream cheese, almond milk (or fat-free milk), and non-fat Greek yogurt. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
  6. Thicken the soup:
    • Stir in the cornstarch mixture to help thicken the soup. Continue to simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the soup thickens to your liking.
  7. Add the chicken:
    • Stir in the shredded or cubed cooked chicken breast, and cook until heated through.
  8. Season:
    • Add salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Serve:
    • Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy! Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of additional Greek yogurt or light cheese.

Nutritional Information (per serving, makes about 6 servings):

  • Calories: ~150-180
  • Protein: ~25g
  • Carbs: ~8g
  • Fat: ~5g
  • Points: 2-3 points per serving

Tips:

  • Lean Chicken: Using chicken breast keeps the points at zero and adds a protein punch.
  • Extra Veggies: You can add other vegetables like carrots or cauliflower for more variety.
  • Blend for Creaminess: Blending part of the soup gives it a rich, creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
  • Low-Point Additions: For more richness, you can add a little bit of grated reduced-fat cheese, but account for the additional points.

Benefits:

  • Low in Points: At just 2-3 points per serving, this soup is filling and perfect for meal prep.
  • High in Protein: Chicken breast and Greek yogurt pack in a lot of protein, making it satisfying and great for weight loss.
  • Healthy Comfort Food: Creamy and flavorful without the guilt of high-calorie ingredients, this soup is a perfect comfort food option.

Conclusion:

This Weight Watchers Creamy Chicken Broccoli Soup offers a hearty, nutritious meal while keeping the points low. It’s a creamy and flavorful way to enjoy comfort food without derailing your health goals!