Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup (Printable)

Bold, creamy soup with tender chicken, cheese, and spicy jalapeños ready in 45 minutes.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large jalapeños, seeds removed and diced

→ Protein

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Broth & Dairy

06 - 4 cups chicken broth
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings & Garnish

13 - ½ cup crumbled bacon
14 - Fresh cilantro, for garnish

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced jalapeños; cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
04 - Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
06 - Add softened cream cheese, stirring until fully melted and incorporated.
07 - Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and soup is creamy. Stir in crumbled bacon, if using.
08 - Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the ultimate comfort food with a spicy kick that warms you from the inside out
  • The whole family fights over the last bowl, even the ones who claim they hate soup
  • Ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day long
02 -
  • The cream cheese will fight you if its cold straight from the fridge, trust me on this one
  • Dont boil the soup after adding the dairy or it might separate and ruin your beautiful texture
  • Letting it sit for 10 minutes before serving makes it even thicker and more flavorful
03 -
  • Wear gloves when dicing jalapeños unless you want to learn why capsaicin and eye contact dont mix
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest melting experience
  • Use room temperature ingredients when adding the dairy to prevent any unwanted curdling
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