Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder is a rich, creamy low-carb soup loaded with tender chicken, soft cauliflower, and savory herbs for classic chowder comfort without the carbs. This Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder recipe delivers easy prep, high protein, and cozy satisfying flavor perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, weight loss, and anyone craving a warm, hearty keto chowder that keeps you full and fully in ketosis.
About This Recipe
This Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying — the kind of meal that makes you want to curl up on the couch and forget it’s raining outside. It’s also one of those recipes that converts even non-keto eaters, because it tastes like a classic potato chowder… except lighter, silkier, and without the carb crash.
Cauliflower is the quiet hero here. When simmered and blended slightly, it takes on the role of potatoes, thickening the soup naturally while keeping carbs incredibly low. Combined with tender chunks of chicken, crispy bacon, and a splash of cream, it creates the kind of texture and flavor that makes you forget what you’re “missing.” This isn’t diet food — it’s comfort food that just happens to be keto.
Across the U.S., searches for “keto soup recipes”, “low-carb chicken chowder”, and “cauliflower comfort food” peak every fall. It makes sense — people want something warm, meal-prep-friendly, and satisfying without relying on pasta or potatoes. This chowder hits all those points and adds real flavor thanks to smoked paprika, garlic, and thyme.
The beauty of this recipe lies in balance. You get the richness of heavy cream, the saltiness of bacon, and the gentle sweetness of cauliflower all working together. The result is thick enough to coat a spoon but still fresh, not heavy. And because it’s built on real ingredients — chicken, butter, cream, and veggies — it fits seamlessly into both strict keto and relaxed low-carb lifestyles.
It’s also easy to adapt. You can make it in a single pot, double it for meal prep, or even freeze portions for later. Every time you reheat it, the flavors deepen, and the creamy broth gets even better. So whether you’re cooking on a lazy Sunday or need something fast after work, this chowder is your autumn go-to.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and comforting without being heavy
- Naturally thickened — no flour or starch needed
- Perfect for cold weather or meal prep
- Ready in under 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 14 oz chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 1 small head cauliflower, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook bacon: In a large pot, fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, keeping the fat in the pot.
- Sauté aromatics: Add butter, onion, and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant.
- Add chicken: Stir in diced chicken and cook until lightly browned.
- Simmer: Add cauliflower, broth, paprika, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook 15–20 minutes until cauliflower is tender.
- Thicken: Use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup (about ⅓) to thicken while keeping chunks.
- Add cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finish: Top with crispy bacon and chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 36 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Net Carbs: 6 g
FAQ
- Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes — it’s a great time-saver. Add it near the end so it doesn’t dry out. - Can I make it dairy-free?
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and skip the butter. - Will it freeze well?
Absolutely. Let it cool first, then freeze up to 2 months. - Too thick?
Just add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add chopped celery or spinach for more texture.
- Replace bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon.
- Stir in shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy chowder.
- Use smoked chicken for deeper flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with keto garlic bread, almond flour biscuits, or just a handful of cheese crisps for dipping. It’s a full meal by itself but works great as a starter too.
Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Chowder
Ingredients
- 14 oz chicken breast or thighs (diced)
- 4 strips bacon (chopped)
- 1 small head cauliflower (chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook bacon: In a large pot, fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, keeping the fat in the pot.
- Sauté aromatics: Add butter, onion, and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant.
- Add chicken: Stir in diced chicken and cook until lightly browned.
- Simmer: Add cauliflower, broth, paprika, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook 15–20 minutes until cauliflower is tender.
- Thicken: Use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup (about ⅓) to thicken while keeping chunks.
- Add cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finish: Top with crispy bacon and chopped parsley before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know how it turned out! Snap a pic and tag @dailyketo.recipes on instagram – I’d love to see your version.
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