Description
Spicy warmth meets comfort in this creamy chicken and jalapeño soup, perfect for chilly evenings. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups (300 g / 10.6 oz) cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 jalapenos, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 4 cups (960 ml / 32 fl oz) chicken broth
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish (optional):
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced jalapenos
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently sautéing diced onions in olive oil until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet fragrance.
- Introduce minced garlic, finely chopped jalapenos, and a blend of warming spices like cumin and smoked paprika into the pot, stirring quickly to prevent burning and allow the spices to bloom and release their intense flavors.
- Stream in chicken broth and rich, velvety heavy cream, creating a luxurious liquid foundation that will cradle the soup’s robust ingredients.
- Fold in tender, shredded chicken, allowing it to nestle comfortably within the developing broth, then incorporate diced tomatoes, hearty black beans, and sweet corn kernels.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer, encouraging the ingredients to mingle and exchange their distinctive tastes, creating a harmonious and complex flavor profile.
- Gradually introduce shredded cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely and transforms the soup into a creamy, indulgent dish with a silky smooth texture.
- Taste and refine the seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor that tingles the palate.
- Serve the steaming soup in deep bowls, adorning with fresh cilantro, additional sliced jalapenos, crisp tortilla chip fragments, or a dollop of cool, tangy sour cream for a delightful contrast.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds for a milder soup or adding extra for heat lovers.
- Swap dairy cream with coconut milk to create a delicious dairy-free and vegan-friendly version.
- Enhance protein content by adding quinoa or extra beans for a more substantial meal.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking and reduce overall preparation time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg