Description
Simmering with Mexican-inspired flavors, this chicken taco soup brings comfort and zest to dinner tables. Hearty ingredients and quick preparation make it a perfect weeknight meal for hungry families seeking bold, satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, tortilla chips, sliced jalapenos
Instructions
- Sauté diced onion, garlic, green and red bell peppers, and optional jalapeño in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and tender.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot and add diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, shredded chicken, taco seasoning, ground cumin, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Increase heat to high and bring soup to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, which helps develop rich, complex flavors.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to preference. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the pot just moments before serving to enhance the bright, zesty profile.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro and optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or crispy tortilla strips for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or using mild/hot taco seasoning for personalized spice preferences.
- Swap chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or black beans for a vegetarian version that maintains hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Enhance nutrition by incorporating additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach during sautéing stage for extra vitamins and fiber boost.
- Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for convenient meal prep, maintaining soup’s robust taste and texture for up to 3 months when properly stored.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg