**Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Soup**

**Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Soup**

Ingredients:

– 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
– 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts or thighs, diced
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 3 cups broccoli florets
– 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
– 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
– 4 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 tsp dried thyme
– 1/2 tsp dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Chopped fresh chives or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:*

1. **Cook the Chicken**:
– In a large pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

2. **Sauté Vegetables**:
– In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. **Add Broth and Vegetables**:
– Add the chicken broth, diced potatoes, carrots, thyme, and oregano to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

4. **Add Broccoli**:
– Add the broccoli florets to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still bright green.

5. **Make it Creamy**:
– Stir in the heavy cream and cooked chicken. Allow the soup to simmer for another 5 minutes.

6. **Add Cheese**:
– Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and the soup is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. **Serve**:
– Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley. Serve warm.

This creamy chicken and broccoli soup is comforting and packed with flavor, making it perfect for a cozy meal!