Description
This Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup combines creamy textures with a zesty kick from fresh jalapeños, creating a comforting and flavorful dish. Packed with shredded chicken, melted cheeses, and smoky spices, this soup is perfect for those craving a delicious, warming meal with a bit of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes, which helps develop the base flavor of the soup.
- Create Creamy Base: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth, ensuring a rich and creamy texture.
- Add Chicken and Jalapeños: Mix in the shredded cooked chicken and diced seeded jalapeño peppers. Cook for another 10 minutes while stirring occasionally to meld flavors and allow the heat of the jalapeños to infuse the soup.
- Incorporate Cheese and Spices: Add the shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Stir well until the cheese melts completely into the soup, enhancing the flavor profile with smokiness and spice.
- Season Soup: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as desired to balance and enhance the flavors.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for an additional 10 minutes. This allows all the flavors to fully blend together and thickens the soup slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crumbled cooked bacon and freshly chopped cilantro for added crunch, smokiness, and freshness.
Notes
- To reduce the spiciness, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño peppers before adding.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to shorten preparation time.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but this may reduce richness.
- Bacon can be omitted for a vegetarian option; adding smoked paprika helps retain a smoky flavor.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling.
