Velvety Wild Mushroom & Thyme Soup

Why You’ll Love This

There is something incredibly grounding about a bowl of proper mushroom soup. By poaching the chicken directly in the stock, you get a much cleaner flavour and perfectly tender meat that doesn’t feel heavy. It’s the ultimate “hug in a bowl” for a damp Tuesday.

Ingredients

• 500g chicken breast, skinless
• 1.2 litres quality chicken stock (check for no added sugar)
• 400g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 25g unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium leek, finely sliced (white part only)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 150ml double cream
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• Sea salt and cracked black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (to garnish)

Method

1. Place the chicken stock in a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the whole chicken breasts and poach for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
2. Remove the chicken to a plate to cool, but keep the stock simmering on low heat.
3. In a separate wide pan, heat the butter and oil. Add the leeks and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
4. Turn up the heat, add the mushrooms and thyme, and fry until the mushrooms are golden and the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the garlic for the final minute.
5. Pour the hot chicken stock into the mushroom pan. Bring to a boil, then turn down and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the double cream. Shred the poached chicken with two forks and add it back into the soup.
7. Season generously and serve hot, topped with fresh parsley.

Tips & Swaps

• For an even deeper flavour, swap half the chestnut mushrooms for dried porcini (soaked in a little hot water first).
• If you prefer a smooth soup, blend the mushroom base before adding the shredded chicken back in.

Key Takeaways

• Net carbs: 6g per serving — suitable for keto and low-carb diets
• Cook time: 50 minutes total (10 prep + 40 cook)
• Key ingredient: Fresh thyme leaves and chestnut mushrooms (they provide a deeply savoury, grounding aroma and earthy flavour profile).
• Best for: A comforting, nutrient-dense lunch that feels like a “hug in a bowl” on a cold day.