Description
Southwest chicken soup delivers a hearty blend of spicy, comforting flavors from Mexico’s culinary traditions. Robust ingredients like tender chicken, black beans, and roasted peppers create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes (with green chilies)
- 1 cup (240 g) frozen or canned corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro, chopped
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- Sliced avocado (optional)
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sizzle onions until translucent, then quickly introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom for 30 seconds.
- Protein Preparation: Add diced chicken and coat with a robust spice blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Sear chicken until golden and sealed, stirring occasionally.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a rich, layered flavor profile.
- Bean and Vegetable Infusion: Incorporate black beans, pinto beans, and corn kernels. Continue simmering until chicken is thoroughly cooked and ingredients harmonize, approximately 15-18 minutes.
- Final Flourish: Enliven the soup with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a balanced and vibrant flavor. Garnish with shredded cheese, avocado slices, tortilla strips, or sour cream before serving hot.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for consistent texture and quicker cooking. Trimming excess fat ensures lean, tender protein that absorbs spices beautifully.
- Spice Calibration: Adjust cayenne and chili powder based on heat tolerance. Start conservatively, tasting and incrementally adding spices to prevent overwhelming the soup’s delicate flavor balance.
- Bean Preparation Hack: Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content and eliminate excess starch. Pat beans dry before adding to maintain soup’s intended consistency and prevent wateriness.
- Boost Nutrition Flexibility: Swap chicken with plant-based alternatives like tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian versions. Add quinoa or extra beans to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg