Go Back

Creamy Pierogi Chicken Soup With Rosemary Bacon

Creamy pierogi chicken soup with tender mini pierogis, shredded chicken, and caramelized onions in a rich cream broth. Finished with crispy rosemary bacon bits and fresh chives for a hearty, cozy Polish-American main.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Polish-American
Calories: 640

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast cooked and shredded
Pierogis
  • 24 oz frozen mini pierogis potato and cheese
Bacon and aromatics
  • 6 bacon strips, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary minced
  • 1 onion thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
Soup base
  • 5 cup chicken broth
  • 1.5 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz cream cheese cubed
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 salt to taste
  • 0.25 pepper to taste
Garnish
  • 0.25 chives for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Cook bacon and rosemary
  1. Cook the bacon with the minced rosemary in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally as the fat renders and the bits turn golden. Remove the crispy bacon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons drippings in the pot.
Caramelize onions and garlic
  1. Sauté the onion in the drippings over medium-low heat until caramelized, 10-12 minutes, stirring and scraping the browned bits as the onion softens and turns deep golden. Add the minced garlic and cook 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Build the broth
  1. Add the chicken broth and onion powder and bring to a boil, 3-5 minutes, until you see steady bubbling across the surface.
Cook the pierogis
  1. Add the frozen mini pierogis and cook according to package directions, typically 4-5 minutes, until they float and the centers are hot.
Make it creamy
  1. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cubed cream cheese until melted, 2-3 minutes, until the broth looks smooth and creamy.
  2. Stir in the heavy cream and the shredded chicken, 1-2 minutes, until everything is evenly combined and steaming.
Simmer and season
  1. Simmer the soup gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the chicken is warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with the crispy rosemary bacon and chives, then serve while hot and creamy.

Notes

Pro tip: caramelize the onions slowly on medium-low so they turn truly golden before adding garlic, which deepens the soup’s flavor. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; reheat gently over low heat to avoid breaking the cream base. Freezing isn’t recommended because cream cheese soups can separate after thawing. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream (the texture will be slightly less rich).