Description
This Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken with spicy jalapeños, melted cheddar, and smoky bacon for a comforting and indulgent meal. Inspired by jalapeño popper flavors, this soup is rich, creamy, and has just the right amount of heat to warm you up on chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 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
- 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 and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add Creamy Base: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Chicken and Jalapeños: Mix in the shredded cooked chicken and diced jalapeño peppers. Continue cooking the mixture for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and flavor melding.
- Add Cheese and Spices: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Keep stirring until the cheese melts completely into the soup, enriching its flavor and texture.
- Season Soup: Season the soup with salt and pepper according to your taste, ensuring the seasoning complements the spiciness and creaminess.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for an additional 10 minutes. This helps to blend all the flavors beautifully and thicken the soup slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the crumbled bacon and freshly chopped cilantro for added texture and flavor contrast.
Notes
- For less heat, reduce the number of jalapeños or remove all seeds before dicing.
- The soup can be made ahead and reheated; add garnish just before serving.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but expect a slightly less creamy texture.
- Use smoked cheddar cheese to enhance the smoky flavor if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
