Easy Protein-Packed Loaded Potato Soup for a Healthy(er) Meal
Cozy up with a bowl of protein-rich loaded potato soup! This healthier take on a classic is made with chicken, potatoes, and low-fat cream cheese for a creamy—yet nutritious—meal. Customize it with your favorite toppings, like cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions.
Soup season is a big hit in our household, so we keep hearty, nutritious soups on rotation all fall and winter! Whether it is White Bean Turkey Chili, Healthier Broccoli Cheddar, or hearty Cheeseburger Soup, you’ll likely find a pot of something yummy in our kitchen any day of the week.
I love this version of loaded potato soup because it’s the perfect balance of comfort and nutrition. Plus, it’s a hit with my family every time! The protein from the chicken and cottage cheese keeps everyone full, while the creamy texture makes it feel indulgent without being too heavy. It’s also super customizable, which I love! I can make it vegetarian, use different types of potatoes to enhance the sweetness, or even make it dairy-free if needed. An added bonus? I can throw it in the slow cooker and come back to a delicious meal, ready to serve!
What is Loaded Potato Soup?
This protein-rich loaded potato soup recipe is a hearty, comforting meal that combines the creamy goodness of traditional potato soup with added protein from chicken and cottage cheese. Packed with gold potatoes, carrots, and chicken, it’s blended to the perfect consistency, making it creamy and satisfying. Then topped with classic loaded baked potato toppings like shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions, this healthier version of a class comfort food is ideal for family dinners or a cozy night in. It’s perfect with a slice of freshly baked homemade bread!
Why make this Protein-Rich Loaded Potato Soup?
This soup is the perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. And here’s why you’ll love it:
- It’s full of protein. With chicken and cottage cheese, this version offers extra protein to keep you full and satisfied.
- It’s creamy without the guilt. The low-fat cottage cheese and cream cheese provide richness without being too heavy. Blend the cottage cheese to make it smooth before adding to the soup.
- It’s customizable. Make it your own with a variety of toppings, or even make it vegetarian!
- It’s a one-pot meal. Because this recipe is easy to prep and goes in one pot (or the slow cooker), it makes for easy cleanup.
- It’s family-friendly. Both kids and adults alike love its creamy, hearty texture and flavor.
Protein-Rich Loaded Potato Soup Ingredients
- Olive or avocado oil, butter: I typically use avocado oil for cooking the vegetables, then I use butter for the roux. However, I have also used oil to make a roux with success!
- Onion, garlic: These aromatics give the soup a delicious flavor.
- Gold potatoes
- Carrots
- Cream cheese: We buy the Nancy’s Organic products from Azure Standard.
- Low-fat cottage cheese: I blend this to a creamy consistency before adding it to the soup.
- Bone broth: I like to use bone broth for extra nutrients! My go-to brand is Kettle & Fire from Thrive Market.
- Chicken breasts: You could also use chicken thighs.
- Flour: Easily make this with gluten-free flour, as desired. We like the Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 blend.
- Salt and pepper
- Optional toppings: Add green onions, a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, or drizzle of heavy cream.
Loaded Potato Soup Variations
- Go vegetarian: For a hearty vegetarian soup, leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of bone broth.
- Mix up the potatoes: Use a mix of white, gold, and sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Make it even richer: Use full-fat cottage cheese if desired.
- Try it as a stew: No blender? No problem! Skip the blending step to enjoy a stew version of the soup.
I hope you love this recipe!
Protein-Rich Loaded Potato Soup
This protein-rich loaded potato soup is the perfect blend of creamy comfort and nutrition, packed with chicken, potatoes, and wholesome toppings.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs gold potatoes, diced into ½” chunks
- 2-3 large carrots, diced
- 12 oz. plain cream cheese
- 8 oz. low-fat cottage cheese, blended until creamy
- 4 cups bone broth
- 3-4 chicken breasts, uncooked (frozen can work too)
- 2 Tablespoons flour (or gluten-free flour) for making a roux
- 3 Tablespoons butter or avocado oil for making a roux
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toppings: green onions, dollop of Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, drizzle of heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, add oil, onion, and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent and the combination is fragrant.
- Add in the raw chicken, potatoes, carrots, salt and pepper, and cover with the broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and set it aside.
- Add the blended cottage cheese and cream cheese, and allow the soup to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, make a roux. Melt 3 Tablespoons of butter or oil in a small pan, then add the flour (or gluten-free flour) and mix continuously for about 5 minutes.
- Add the roux to the soup and mix well.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to your desired consistency. I like to blend about ¾ of the soup so you still have chunks of vegetables.
- Add chicken back into the soup, mix well, then serve with desired toppings!
Notes
- Leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of bone broth for a hearty vegetarian soup.
- Use a mix of white, gold, and sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Use full-fat cottage cheese if desired.
- Skip the blending step to enjoy a stew version of the soup.
Slow cooker option: Place all ingredients in a slow cooker, with the chicken and potatoes on the bottom. Top with the cottage cheese and cream cheese. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Remove the chicken, and shred it. Blend the vegetables before adding the chicken back to the soup.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy…
- Easy & Delicious Cheeseburger Soup
- Pumpkin Sweet Potato Chili
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Easy Overnight Bread (to enjoy with your soup!)
