1-First Step: Heat the Oil Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. This step gets the base going, allowing the veggies to sauté nicely. Make sure the pot is big enough to hold all the ingredients without crowding, which helps everything cook evenly.

2-Second Step: Cook the Veggies Add 1 diced onion, ⅔ cup diced carrots, ⅔ cup diced celery, 4 minced garlic cloves, and a dash of kosher salt and pepper to the pot. Stir them around and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they soften and release their aromas. This builds a flavorful foundation for your soup, and you can adapt this by using low-sodium options if you’re watching your salt intake.

3-Third Step: Add the Broccoli Stir in 4 cups of broccoli florets and cook for another 5 minutes. This lets the broccoli start to soften while keeping some crunch, which adds great texture to the soup. If you want to make it healthier, increase the broccoli for more nutrients it’s a simple swap that fits various dietary preferences.

4-Fourth Step: Incorporate Proteins and Liquids Next, add 1 parmesan rind, 1 ½ cups of cooked shredded chicken, and 6 cups of chicken stock to the pot. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. This step infuses the soup with rich flavors, and using rotisserie chicken speeds things up for busy nights.

5-Fifth Step: Make the Slurry In a separate cup, combine 1 ½ cups of milk with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Whisk it vigorously for 30 seconds until it’s smooth and lump-free. For gluten-free versions, swap the flour here to keep it adaptable.

6-Sixth Step: Add the Slurry to the Soup Slowly stream the milk-flour mixture into the simmering soup while stirring constantly. This thickens the soup beautifully without clumping, and it’s a great technique for achieving that creamy texture everyone loves. Keep stirring to ensure it incorporates evenly, adjusting for dietary needs like low-fat milk if desired.

7-Seventh Step: Simmer and Season Let the soup simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often until it thickens. Taste it and add more salt and pepper if needed it’s your chance to fine-tune the flavors. This step works well for meal prep, as the soup holds up great for leftovers.

8-Final Step: Finish and Serve Stir in 1 spritz of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors. Serve the soup hot, and enjoy it as is or with some crusty bread. For more soup inspiration, check out a homemade chicken noodle soup recipe externally.