Description
Spicy chicken fajita soup brings zesty Mexican flavors straight to your kitchen, delivering a comforting meal packed with colorful peppers and tender chicken. Hearty ingredients simmer together, creating a robust soup that welcomes hungry diners with warm, satisfying spoonfuls.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (1 ounce) fajita seasoning mix
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Optional Toppings:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Avocado slices (optional)
- Tortilla chips (optional)
Instructions
- Create a flavor foundation by sautéing aromatic vegetables in a spacious cooking vessel. Warm olive oil over medium heat and transform diced onions until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, vibrant bell peppers, and robust fajita seasoning into the pot. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings and allow vegetables to soften and release their natural essences, about 5 minutes.
- Relocate the vegetable mixture to one side of the pot and incorporate raw chicken pieces. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Quickly sear chicken until exterior turns opaque, ensuring initial protein development.
- Flood the pot with rich chicken broth and chunky diced tomatoes, including their natural juices. Integrate all components seamlessly, creating a harmonious liquid base.
- Elevate temperature to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce heat. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, transforming ingredients into a cohesive soup structure for approximately 20 minutes.
- Enrich the soup’s texture by stirring in heavy cream or coconut milk. Permit an additional 5-minute simmering period to develop complexity and achieve desired consistency.
- Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, embellishing with complementary garnishes like shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, or crispy tortilla strips. Finalize with a vibrant lime juice squeeze for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Customize the seasoning by adjusting the fajita spice blend to match your preferred heat level, using more or less chili powder and cayenne pepper.
- Swap chicken for plant-based protein like tofu or black beans to create a vegetarian version that maintains the delicious southwestern flavor profile.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content, allowing home cooks to season gradually and prevent over-salting the soup.
- Quickly shred leftover rotisserie chicken to reduce preparation time and add extra flavor depth without additional cooking steps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg