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Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

This Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines tender chicken, beans, corn, and a blend of southwestern spices with a creamy finish from cream cheese. It’s a perfect comfort meal that packs a spicy kick balanced with smooth creaminess, ideal for cozy dinners and satisfying lunches.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 2–4 Tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno (seeds and ribs removed)
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 (10 oz) cans original Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies; can substitute with diced tomatoes and diced green chilies)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ¼ cup frozen corn
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb chicken (mix of breast and thighs)
  • 6 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened

Optional Toppings

  • Lime wedges
  • Sour cream
  • Corn chips
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add Spices: Sprinkle ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the vegetables. Stir well to combine.
  4. Combine Beans and Veggies: Add the Rotel tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, and frozen corn. Stir everything together.
  5. Add Broth and Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Add the chicken breasts and thighs (cut in halves for faster cooking). Bring the soup to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  6. Cook and Shred Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pot. Shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the soup pot.
  7. Add Cream Cheese: Stir in the cream cheese cubes until melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy texture.
  8. Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm with your choice of toppings such as lime wedges, sour cream, corn chips, and fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • Remove seeds and ribs from jalapenos to reduce spiciness if desired.
  • Rotel can be substituted with diced tomatoes combined with diced green chilies if not available.
  • Cutting chicken breasts in half helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly.
  • Preferred toppings can be customized to suit your taste and add freshness or crunch.

Keywords: Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup, Southwestern Soup, Cream Cheese Soup, Spicy Chicken Soup, Easy Chicken Soup, Comfort Food

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/creamy-southwest-chicken-soup-recipe/