Description
Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, flavorful soup featuring tender shredded chicken, spicy jalapeños, and a blend of cheeses. This comforting dish combines bold spices like cumin and paprika with creamy textures from cream cheese and heavy cream, perfect for a warming meal with a kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large jalapeños, seeds removed and diced
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy and Cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup crumbled bacon
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat and Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add Jalapeños and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeños, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the pot, followed by the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add Cream and Spices: Stir in the heavy cream, ground cumin, paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until fully incorporated and the soup becomes creamy.
- Melt Cheddar and Add Bacon: Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined. If using, add the crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
- Simmer: Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Adjust the number of jalapeños based on your preferred spice level for milder or hotter soup.
- This soup can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving to maintain creaminess.
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with low-fat milk without compromising creaminess.
- Pair the soup with crusty bread or tortilla chips to add a satisfying crunch alongside the creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
