Description
A flavorful and warming spicy chicken soup featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and bold spices simmered to perfection. This hearty soup delivers a perfect balance of heat, zest, and comforting textures, ideal for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (or 1 tsp chili flakes)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (e.g., vegetable or olive oil)
Spices
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and minced jalapeños. Sauté until fragrant and onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in sliced carrots and diced bell peppers. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain some bite.
- Brown the Chicken: Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pot. Add the chicken breasts or thighs and sear on each side for about 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. This step locks in the flavor of the chicken.
- Spice It Up: Sprinkle chili powder and ground cumin evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the spices, cooking for about 1 minute to release the aromas.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for about 20-25 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine with the soup.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the hot spicy chicken soup into bowls. Optionally, garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, or a dollop of sour cream for cooling contrast. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños or chili flakes to control the spice level.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat and richer flavor.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Serve with crusty bread or tortilla chips for a satisfying meal.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the chicken broth is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-inspired
