Description
Hearty chicken taco soup delivers Mexican-inspired comfort with bold spices and rich textures. Quick preparation makes this one-pot meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings you can enjoy without complicated cooking skills.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (0.47 l) cooked/rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken broth
- 2 (10 oz/284 g) cans Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies with juices
- 1 (14 oz/397 g) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (12 oz/340 g) can corn, drained
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)
- Avocado (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
- Tortilla strips (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, sizzling diced onions until they turn translucent and release a fragrant aroma, about 4-5 minutes.
- Flavor Fusion: Add chicken broth, Ro-tel tomatoes, green chilies, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Whisk ingredients together, creating a vibrant, aromatic base that promises a flavor-packed experience.
- Simmering Symphony: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, allowing the spices to intermingle and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Creamy Transformation: Dice cream cheese into small pieces and gently fold into the simmering soup, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety texture.
- Final Flourish: Incorporate shredded chicken, stirring gently to ensure even distribution. Continue cooking for 6-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the soup’s robust seasonings. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serving Spectacle: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and crown with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or crispy tortilla strips for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Boost Flavor Depth: Let the soup simmer uncovered to concentrate tastes and allow spices to develop rich, complex undertones.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Cut cream cheese into small chunks and stir constantly to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, creamy integration.
- Chicken Selection Tip: Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken for faster preparation and consistent texture.
- Spice Customization: Adjust chili powder and cumin levels to match personal heat preference without overwhelming the soup’s balanced profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg