Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup for Cozy Nights In Recipe
This Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for cozy nights in. Featuring tender shredded chicken, spicy jalapeños, and rich cream cheese and cheddar, this soup delivers a flavorful kick balanced by smooth, cheesy indulgence. Optional bacon and fresh cilantro add extra crunch and freshness to this hearty bowl.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
For the Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 large Jalapeños, diced
- 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
For the Creaminess
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup Crumbled Bacon
- Fresh Cilantro, for garnish
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic and Jalapeños: Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeños. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup pot.
- Add Cream and Spices: Stir in the heavy cream, ground cumin, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences, blending the flavors together over low heat.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Mix in the softened cream cheese until fully melted into the soup. Then add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it melts smoothly, creating a luscious creamy texture.
- Add Optional Bacon and Simmer: If using, stir in crumbled bacon and allow the soup to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to marry the flavors and heat through.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro for a bright, fresh finish. Enjoy immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- This soup is perfect for make-ahead dinners; reheat gently on the stove or microwave to maintain its creamy texture without breaking.
- Adjust the jalapeño quantity or deseed them to control the spice level according to your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken breasts with chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- To reduce fat, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or low-fat milk, and use low-fat cheese options.
- If avoiding pork, omit bacon or replace with crispy turkey bacon or smoked paprika for smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: jalapeño popper soup, spicy chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, cheesy chicken soup, jalapeño chicken recipe, cozy soup, easy chicken soup