Description
Hearty crock pot spicy chicken soup delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors that warm winter nights. Simmering slowly with jalapeños, tender chicken, and rich broth, this easy recipe promises comfort in each spoonful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (10 oz / 283 g) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can corn, drained
- 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Sliced avocado
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preparation: Arrange chicken breasts as the foundational layer in the slow cooker, creating a flavor base for the hearty southwestern soup.
- Layering: Distribute onions, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, Rotel, black beans, and corn evenly across the chicken, ensuring a harmonious blend of textures and ingredients.
- Seasoning: Generously sprinkle spices throughout the mixture, guaranteeing a well-balanced flavor profile that permeates every bite.
- Liquid Integration: Gently pour chicken broth over the ingredients, using a light stirring technique to meld components without disturbing the carefully constructed layers.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, allowing the chicken to become supremely tender and flavors to meld intensely.
- Shredding: Remove chicken and meticulously break down into delicate strands using two forks, then reincorporate into the soup with a gentle stir.
- Finishing Touches: Enhance the soup’s brightness by adding a splash of fresh lime juice, then serve in warm bowls alongside tortilla chips, crusty bread, or fluffy rice for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Layering: Place chicken breasts flat and evenly to ensure uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption throughout the soup.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust seasonings gradually, tasting midway to prevent overwhelming heat while maintaining the soup’s signature zesty profile.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to pull chicken apart when it’s warm and slightly firm for perfect, tender meat strands without becoming mushy.
- Enhance Texture Variety: Consider adding fresh toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or shredded cheese right before serving to introduce contrasting textures and fresh flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (Low) / 3-4 hours (High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg