Description
Southwest chicken soup blends spicy Mexican flavors with hearty ingredients. Simmering peppers, tender chicken, and bold spices create a comforting meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
- 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup (240 g) frozen or canned corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes (with green chilies for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 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
- Sliced avocado
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, sauté onions until translucent, then quickly introduce minced garlic and stir for maximum flavor infusion.
- Protein Preparation: Add chicken to the pot, generously coat with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning coverage and quick searing until exterior turns golden brown.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the pot, allowing liquid to meld with seasoned proteins, then immediately incorporate black beans, pinto beans, and corn.
- Flavor Development: Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 15-20 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and chicken to reach perfect tenderness, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final Enhancement: Brighten the soup with a splash of lime juice and freshly chopped cilantro, taste and adjust seasonings for a balanced flavor profile.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle steaming soup into individual bowls, offering optional garnishes like shredded cheese, avocado slices, tortilla strips, or sour cream for personalized enjoyment.
Notes
Manage Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and chili powder to control heat intensity, enabling customization for different spice tolerances.
Prevent Chicken Dryness: Sear chicken quickly on high heat and avoid overcooking to maintain moisture, ensuring tender protein throughout the soup.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast spices briefly before adding liquid to release essential oils, creating a more complex and robust taste profile.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap chicken for plant-based protein like tofu or jackfruit, use low-sodium broth, and select gluten-free garnishes to accommodate various dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg