Description

This Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, spicy jalapeños, and rich cheeses for a comforting and satisfying meal. Perfect for warming up on chilly days, this soup marries the heat of jalapeños with the smoothness of cream cheese and cheddar, enhanced by aromatic spices and fresh cilantro garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large jalapeños, seeds removed and diced (Adjust number based on spice preference)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (Can substitute half with low-fat milk for a lighter version)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Dairy & Cheese

1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional

1/2 cup crumbled bacon (Optional for added flavor)
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add Garlic and Jalapeños: Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeños, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors.
Cook Chicken in Broth: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Add Cream and Spices: Stir in the heavy cream, ground cumin, paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the soup, stirring continuously until fully melted and the soup becomes creamy and smooth.
Mix in Cheddar and Bacon: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and well combined. If desired, add the crumbled bacon at this stage for extra flavor.
Simmer: Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting all the flavors meld together beautifully.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving hot.

Notes

Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the level of spiciness according to your taste.
Substitute half the heavy cream with low-fat milk for a lighter version of the soup.
Omit the bacon for a non-pork or lower-fat variation.
For a thicker soup, cook it a bit longer to reduce the liquid, or add more cream cheese.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce the salt content if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: jalapeño popper chicken soup, spicy chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food soup, jalapeño soup recipe