Description
This Southwest Chicken Fiesta Soup is a cozy, flavor-packed bowl of comfort with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a hint of spice that’s perfect for warming up any day. Top it with sliced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla strips for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 Large Onion, diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Bell peppers (any color), diced
- 2 Jalapeños, seeded and minced (leave seeds for more heat if desired)
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Chicken bouillon powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups Chicken broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) Can Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (15-ounce) Can Pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 Cups Frozen corn kernels
- 3 Cups COOKED and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 Avocado, diced
- 1 Cup Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- Tortilla strips for garnish
EQUIPMENT (Optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeños. Cook on low for another 5-6 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Stir often.
- Add the spices: cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, pinto beans, and frozen corn. Stir to combine. Simmer about 20 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken to the pot. Simmer until heated through.
- Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the soup hot. Ladle into bowls and top with diced avocado, shredded cheese, extra cilantro, and tortilla strips.
Optional Additions:
- A dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
- Sliced radishes for extra crunch.
- Pickled jalapeños for an extra kick.
Notes:
- This soup can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- For a creamier version, you can add a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half towards the end of cooking.
- This soup is versatile; you can add other vegetables like zucchini or use black beans instead of pinto beans if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Soups
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 (2 cup) serving
- Calories: 250-300
- Sodium: 600-800 mg
- Fat: 10-15 gr
- Saturated Fat: 2-5 gr
- Carbohydrates: 25-30 gr
- Fiber: 5-7 gr
- Protein: 20-25 gr