👨‍🍳 & Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

Ever thought about what makes spicy Mexican chicken soup so tasty and cozy? This recipe answers that. It also gives your kitchen a real Mexican flavor. With simple steps and fresh ingredients, it will soon be your favorite.

Key Takeaways

• Serving size: 1 serving provides 254 kcal.
• Rich in protein with 28g per serving.
• Low-carb option with only 8g of carbohydrates per serving.
• High in essential vitamins such as Vitamin A (3519IU) and minerals like potassium (527mg).
• Quick preparation: Only 10 minutes of prep time.
• Long cooking time for depth of flavor: 6 to 8 hours in a slow cooker.

Introduction to Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup

Authentic Mexican chicken soup holds a special place in Mexican food. It’s loved for being simple yet full of flavor. This soup brings the homey feeling with tastes like Caldo de Pollo and Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Its recipe is easy to follow and can be made any day. It uses ingredients like split chicken breasts, onions, celery, and carrots. By roasting the chicken and adding jalapenos, cumin, and coriander, its taste becomes rich. Including fresh white corn tortillas also adds to its authenticity.

This soup uses chicken stock and tomatoes to make it rich. It can change in style, becoming beef or fish soup. It’s not just tasty; it’s healthy too, with about 250-300 calories and plenty of nutrients per serving.

The soup takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to make and serves about six. It’s rewarding to cook and enjoy. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for 2-3 months. This makes it a great option for busy days.

Learning about its history shows why Mexican chicken soup is so popular. Its simple recipe and delicious taste make it a favorite. It brings families together, sharing good times around the table.

Required Ingredients for the Recipe

Making a tasty Mexican chicken soup starts with picking the best ingredients. Let’s look at what you need for a flavorful and healthy soup. We’ll also talk about extras to make your soup even better.

Key Ingredients

• 3 cups of cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Optional Additions

• Black beans or pinto beans
• Cooked white rice
• Additional vegetables such as zucchini, chayote, or green beans
• Rotel fire-roasted tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and tortilla chips for garnish
• Chicken bouillon or additional spices to taste

These Mexican chicken soup ingredients help you create a rich and tasty meal. You can stick with the basics or get creative with more ingredients. Either way, this soup will be a hit at your table.

Choosing the Best Chicken for Your Soup

Selecting the best chicken for your Mexican Chicken Soup is key. The chicken’s tenderness and flavor matter a lot. They affect how tasty your soup is.

Diced chicken breasts are great for easy and high-quality soup. You can use fresh ones or leftovers from a Rotisserie Chicken. This keeps your soup full of flavor and moisture.

Poaching chicken breasts is a great way to keep them moist. To poach, simmer them in water or broth until they’re done. This lets the chicken soak up tasty flavors from the broth.

• Fresh or leftover Rotisserie Chicken – Great for a quick and flavorful addition to your soup
• Poached chicken breasts for soup – Ideal for maintaining a tender and moist texture

Choosing the best chicken sets up a great soup experience. You can pick easy Rotisserie Chicken or go with the slow method of poaching. Either way, your Mexican Chicken Soup will be rich in flavor and very tender.

The right chicken makes a big difference in your soup. Think about your style of cooking and how much time you have. Then, choose the best option for you.

How to Make a Flavorful Homemade Chicken Broth

Making a tasty chicken broth for soup is simple. You need prime ingredients and the correct steps. Our guide helps you create a chicken broth that is the perfect base for a Mexican chicken soup.

Simmering Chicken and Vegetables

Start by getting everything you need. This includes:

• 3 pounds of chicken pieces
• 8-10 cups of water
• 1 large onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 10 cloves of garlic
• 5 chile de arbol peppers
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon salt

Put these in a big soup pot and boil them. Then, lower the heat to simmer gently. Cover for about 45 minutes to an hour. This makes sure the chicken cooks through and the flavors mix well in your broth.

Straining and Storing the Broth

After simmering, strain the broth with a fine mesh sieve. This step removes the chicken and veggies, leaving you with a clear and tasty broth for your soup. If not using right away, cool and store it properly for later use.

These steps help keep your chicken broth fresh and delicious. Whether dinner is today or in the months ahead, this broth will be a hit.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Want to make a tasty Mexican chicken soup? Here’s how. First, get aromatic veggies ready. They’re the secret to a great-tasting soup.

Preparing the Vegetables

Start by washing and peeling veggies. You’ll use Roma tomatoes, a white onion, celery, carrots, potato, and chayote. Cut the tomatoes and onion; slice the celery and carrots; chop the potato and chayote. Keep them aside for later use.

• 2 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 white onion, diced
• 3 sticks of celery, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 russet potato, chopped
• 1 chayote squash, chopped

Then, chop garlic and fresh cilantro. They add a lot of flavor. Don’t forget a chile serrano for some heat.

Simmering and Blending Flavors

Boil 2 ½ quarts of water in a big pot. Add chicken drumsticks, bay leaves, and all the veggies (except the tomatoes and chile serrano). Let it all simmer for an hour. Skim off any foam that forms on top.

Next, warm oil in a pan. Cook diced tomatoes and chile serrano for 6 minutes. Add to the soup. In the same pan, fry rice until golden. Mix it all in the soup. Cook for another 15 minutes.

Now your Mexican Chicken Soup is almost ready. It’s full of great flavors. Add fresh cilantro on top. Serve with lime wedges. You can also use small pasta instead of rice if you like.

Adding Spices for the Perfect Kick

Creating a tasty and spicy chicken soup is all about using the right mix of spices. It gives the soup a bold, hot taste that wakes up your taste buds. In this part, we’ll look at key spices and how they make the ideal spicy chicken soup.

To make your Mexican chicken soup truly authentic, you need to carefully use these spices:

• Chili Powder: Adds a robust, smoky heat.
• Smoked Paprika: Infuses the soup with a deep, earthy flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides a sharp, intense spice.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces a savory, aromatic layer.
• Onion Powder: Enhances the overall depth of flavor.
• Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle, herby undertone.
• Dried Oregano: Imparts a slightly bitter, citrusy note.
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the spices.
• Cumin and Coriander: Integral for that classic, earthy Mexican taste.

Here’s a great spice mix often used in Mexican chicken tortilla soup:

No spicy chicken soup is done without minced jalapeños and cilantro. They boost the taste and bring in a fresh, lively feel. You should adjust the spices to fit the hotness level and your taste.

Creative Variations to Enhance Your Soup

Don’t limit yourself to the classic Mexican Chicken Soup. Try out a veggie option or a riff on taco soup. These changes will add new and tasty spins to your meals.

Vegetarian Version

If you want a tasty veggie soup, just leave out the chicken. Instead, load up on veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots. Boost the protein with black beans and corn. Use veggie broth for flavor.

Add toppings like avocado, lime, and tortilla strips. This will make your meat-free soup a hit.

Taco Soup Twist

Feel like trying a different taco soup? Change the chicken to ground beef or turkey for a heartier soup. Add in canned veggies such as tomatoes, corn, and chilies. For a true Tex-Mex taste, include kidney beans and taco seasoning.

Top it with cheese, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla strips. It’ll be a soup that tastes like a taco.

Make your soup exciting and full of flavor, no matter the variation you pick. Enjoy every meal with these creative twists.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Mexican chicken soup, toppings and sides matter a lot. By adding certain flavors, you can transform your meal. Try out different tasty options to see what you like best.

Popular Toppings

Make your soup richer with these Mexican soup toppings:

• Shredded Cheese
• Diced Avocado
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro
• Crispy Tortilla Strips

These toppings add flavor layers and make your dish look good for your guests.

Side Dishes

Complement your flavorful Mexican chicken soup with these tasty side dishes:

• Warm Cornbread with Honey Butter
• Mexican Chopped Salad

Adding these sides makes your meal well-rounded and very satisfying for everyone.

Storing and Freezing Leftovers

To keep your Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup tasting good, store it right. Keep soup leftovers in an airtight container. Then, put it in the fridge. You can enjoy these leftovers for 3-4 days, making a quick meal any time.

Freezing the soup lets you keep it longer. First, cool the soup. Then, put it in freezer-safe containers or bags. These bags can be flattened to save space. Store it for up to 3 months. This way, you have a tasty meal prep for busy days.

When you’re ready to eat the frozen soup, thaw it in the fridge. The next day, reheat it on the stove. Stir it often. This process keeps your Mexican chicken soup tasty even after freezing.

It’s smart to keep soup in small portions for fast meals. After portioning, don’t forget to mark each with the date and soup type. Enjoy your Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup whenever you want!

Health Benefits of Mexican Chicken Soup

Mexican chicken soup, or caldo de pollo, is beloved for its taste and goodness. It’s a favorite when you’re feeling under the weather. This soup is not just delicious. It brings a lot of nutritious soup benefits.

Nutritious Ingredients

A bowl of healthy Mexican chicken soup is full of good things for you:

• Chicken Breasts: They’re full of protein which helps your muscles and makes you feel full.
• Black Beans: These beans give you both protein and fiber, great for your gut and metabolism.
• Corn: It gives you carbs that keep you going all day.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
• Chicken Broth: It’s full of minerals and helps you stay hydrated.
• Chopped Green Chilies: They add spice and can help boost your metabolism.
• Cilantro: Cilantro has vitamins A and K, which are great for your health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1SWbl9NoEs

Low-Calorie, High-Protein Meal

Mexican chicken soup is a great meal for health:

Each serving has a standout 51 grams of protein. This makes the soup great for feeling full and helping your muscles. The soup also doesn’t have too many calories. It gives you lots of different nutrients. This helps you keep a good, balanced diet. You’ll feel full and nourished without missing out on taste or happiness.

Tips for Beginners

Cooking might seem tough at the start. But, making Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup is easy. Follow these simple tips:

1. Start with Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh veggies like carrots, potatoes, and chayote for a tastier soup.
2. Go for Bone-In Chicken: Bone-in chicken thighs make the soup juicier. Or, try a rotisserie chicken for a quick fix.
3. Don’t Overcomplicate: Keep it simple at first. Just focus on chicken, veggies, and easy spices.
4. Season Your Broth Well: Proper seasoning is key. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin, then taste and adjust.
5. Adjust Spices to Your Preference: If you don’t like too much spice, start with less. Then, add more to your taste.
6. Cooking Method: Cook the chicken with the veggies in the broth. This gives the soup a rich flavor.
7. Shredding Chicken: After cooking the chicken, shred it into the soup. This makes it tastier and easier to eat.
8. Serving Suggestion: Serve the soup over rice. Add toppings like avocado, cilantro, and lime juice for extra flavor.

These tips make making Mexican chicken soup easy and fun. It’s a recipe that’s very forgiving, great for beginners. With practice, you’ll be a great chef in no time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When you’re making Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup, there are key mistakes to watch out for. Overcooking the chicken and not getting the spice levels right can ruin your soup. Here’s how to steer clear of these issues.

Overcooking Chicken

Overcooking the chicken is a common soup-making mistake. For 2 pounds of chicken thighs, timing is everything. In an Instant Pot, it’s 35 minutes for frozen and 15 minutes for fresh. On the stove, go for 1 hour over medium-low heat. This makes the chicken tender, not tough.

Balancing Spice Levels

Finding the right spice balance is key to a tasty soup. It’s about using enough but not too much. Add spices slowly and keep tasting. This fall, focus on perfecting your seasoning mix. Use fresh herbs and pepper with caution to spice it up right.

Start with less salt to avoid an overly salty soup later. As it cooks, the flavors will get stronger. So, it’s smart to add salt towards the end. Cooking the soup gently lets the flavors mix well without overdoing the cooking.

Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

This Mexican chicken soup recipe is warm and filled with rich flavors, making it perfect for any meal. It’s easy and quick to make. Plus, it’s healthy, packed with nutrients your body loves.

The recipe starts with sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, and cumin. It also contains chicken broth and shredded chicken, seasoned with tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro. Serve with crunchy corn tortillas, creamy avocado, and perhaps some Jack cheese for that special touch.

Here’s how to make this quick Mexican chicken soup recipe:

• Boil sweet potatoes until tender.
• Sauté onions and garlic until aromatic.
• Simmer chicken stock with shredded chicken, tomatoes, lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
• Serve your soup topped with crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and optionally, shredded Jack cheese.

Not only is this Mexican chicken soup recipe flavorful, it’s also nutritious. It’s rich in Vitamin A (5570IU) and Vitamin C (45.8mg), calcium (101mg), and iron (3.6mg). It provides a great balance of carbs, proteins, and fats, making it a complete meal.

This soup is perfect for meal prep. You can freeze it in bags for up to 4 months. This way, you’ll always have something healthy and tasty at the ready. Serve it with sides like warm tortillas or a salad to enhance the meal.

Conclusion

Creating Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup at home is both tasty and healthy. It’s packed with protein and nutrients, perfect for your health and taste buds. Plus, this recipe is diverse. You can make everything from Chicken Posole to add a variety of toppings.

Homemade soup has many practical advantages. It can be stored for several days in the fridge or frozen for later. This means it’s a great meal for busy times. The recipe serves eight and includes 352 calories per serving, making it a great choice.

Adding this soup to your menu means enjoying its deep flavors and cozy feeling. This dish enhances your cooking skills and provides comfort and health. It’s perfect for cooks of all levels, adding a bit of joy to every kitchen.