13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (2024)

Soup and chili carry a lot of nostalgia with them. On a cold winter's day, nothing hits quite like a steaming bowl of Panera's broccoli cheddar soup or a quick cup of Wendy's chili. But sometimes, you don't want to bundle up and schlep to the nearest restaurant or take-out window—or think about the fat, calories, and sodium associated with some of your favorites. Fear not, because we've cracked the code to these winter favorites to bring you healthy copycat soup and chili recipes from your favorite restaurants with a healthy spin. Make a big batch of these 16 popular recipes and keep a stash in the freezer to stay warm and cozy all winter long. Plus, don't miss45+ Best Healthy Copycat Restaurant Recipes to Try Tonight.

Healthy Copycat Wendy's Chili

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (1)

Wendy's chili is definitely comforting food. Now, it's even more comfortable as you make it at home, healthier, and all you can eat. Filled with kidney and pinto beans, and packed with flavor, this chili provides a cozy meal packed with nutrition, not sodium.

Get our recipe for Healthy Wendy's Copycat Chili

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Healthy Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (2)

Panera may be the pinnacle of soup and bread, but now they have some competition. We created our own version of their Broccoli cheddar soup. Filling, flavorful, and made all in one pot, this soup saves you a trip to your local Panera Bread.

Get our recipe for Healthy Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Healthy Copycat Olive Garden Pasta fa*gioli Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (3)

Find yourself craving Olive Garden's soup and breadsticks? Good news – you can now bring the great taste of Italian-made pasta home—without paying for it! Our copycat recipe for Olive Garden's pasta fa*gioli soup is packed with carrots, kidney beans, white beans, and of course, ditalini pasta, perfect for a protein-filled meal with an Italian flare.

Get our recipe for Healthy Copycat Olive Garden Pasta fa*gioli Soup

RELATED:10 Controversial Secrets About Olive Garden's Food, According To an Employee

Healthy Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (4)

This healthy version of the Olive Garden favorite is packed with protein. Kale and potatoes provide high fiber and Italian sausage provides vitamin B12 and is high in iron. Curl up with this cozy recipe while your body and your wallet thank you.

Get the recipe from Organize Yourself Skinny

Healthy Copycat Panera Squash Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (5)

Squash your craving for Panera by making your own version of their squash soup at home! This vegetarian version features healthy apple cider, hearty butternut squash, and seasonal spices such as curry powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Get the recipe from Rachel Cooks

RELATED:11 Secrets Panera Bread Doesn't Want You to Know

Chipotle Bean chili

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (6)

Take hearty to the next level with this copycat Chipotle bean chili. White beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and black beans, simmered in vegetable broth provide a nutritious balance, while spices such as cumin and cayenne pepper add just the right amount of heat to warm you up.

Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest

RELATED:10 Secrets Chili's Doesn't Want You to Know

Healthy Copycat Aladdin's Len-Chili Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (7)

Make Aladdin Eatery's most popular menu item right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Made with low-sodium vegetable broth, Yukon gold potatoes, and lentil beans, this unique soup is like a combination of two, packed with protein and spices to give it that classic Aladdin charm and kick.

Get the recipe from Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures

Healthy Copycat Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (8)

We all tear up a bit when we crave Chick-fil-A but remember it's Sunday. Well, wipe your tears and break out your tortilla chips! This copycat recipe of Chick-fil-A's tortilla soup is loaded with beans for protein, and vegetables and seasoning for the perfect hearty Chick-fil-A flavor!

Get the recipe from The Baker Mama

RELATED:15 Secrets About Chick-fil-A Every Fan Needs to Know

Healthy Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (9)

Nothing warms you up better than a classic minestrone soup. Make one of the menu classics from Olive Garden with carrots, zucchinis, celery, basil, and the main ingredient: beans. Customize to your liking with Italian seasoning with the option to spice up or down.

Get the recipe from Mom's Dish

Healthy Copycat Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (10)

This creamy and rich soup is a great option for dinner. Not only is it a copycat of the Chili's restaurant favorite, Chicken Enchilada, but this recipe also contains Masa harina, a maze dough made from nixtamalized corn. Masa harina is rich in vitamin B3, and can potentially help treat high cholesterol.

Get the recipe from Dinner Then Dessert

RELATED:20 Healthy Potato Soup Recipes

Healthy Copycat Outback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (11)

This copycat Walkabout soup from Outback soup will have you walking back to your kitchen for seconds! Made with low-sodium chicken broth and a variety of cheese, this soup will have you taste all the flavors of Australia from the comfort of your kitchen.

Get the recipe from Food Folks and Fun

RELATED:The Best and Worst Menu Items at Outback Steakhouse

Healthy Copycat Cracker Barrel Vegetable Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (12)

Nothing beats a homemade vegetable soup – except this copycat version of the Cracker Barrel vegetable soup. Made with all the veggies you need to keep you healthy and strong including green beans, peas, and lima beans, this recipe is rich in vitamins A & B and the best part? It's also kid-friendly.

Get the recipe from Kid Friendly Things To Do

Healthy Copycat Carrabba's Sausage Lentil Soup

13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (13)

This copycat recipe contains all the feels and flavors of a comfort food favorite, without the comfort food carbs. Healthy sausage and lentil soup is filled with vegetables and lentils are high in fiber, folate, and potassium, which helps manage blood pressure and cholesterol. This is one meal your heart will quite literally thank you for.

Get the recipe from The Cookie Rookie

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13 Cozy Copycat Soup & Chili Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Winter (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to soup? ›

7 Tips for Successful Soup Making
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. It is worth investing in a heavy pot with a thick bottom to use for making soup. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

Who puts peanut butter in chili? ›

Apparently, Peanut Butter Is Some Southerners' Secret Ingredient When Making Chili. Plus, why you might want to consider adding peanut butter to your next batch.

Should you add sugar to chili? ›

The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy. It's all about balance between spicy, smoky, and sweet.

Can you add sour cream to chili while cooking? ›

To do it, scoop a few generous spoonfuls of sour cream into a heat-safe bowl and slowly add in spoonfuls of your hot chili broth, stirring to combine. This will gradually bring the sour cream up to temperature. From there, you can transfer the warmed-up sour cream into your pot of chili, curdle-free.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What does adding brown sugar to chili do? ›

The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

Can I use mayo instead of sour cream in chili? ›

Mayo is a great sour cream substitute. It can be used as a 1:1 replacement in both baking and dips. You'll lose some of that tang that sour cream offers, but it still does a great job at adding moisture to baked goods. Plus, it's relatively the same texture as sour cream, which makes it a great sub in dips and sauce.

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. "Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What are three qualities of a good soup? ›

A soup's quality is determined by its flavor, appearance and texture. A good soup should be full-flavored, with no off or sour tastes. Flavors from each of the soup's ingre- dients should blend and complement, with no one flavor overpowering another.

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