This is not your usual chicken soup! We wanted to make a Mexican-inspired chicken soup that packs a lot of added flavors with your traditional chicken soup recipe. This is a winner! Give it a try!
What you need:
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken broth (or more for desired consistency)
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 cup cooked black beans (optional, for heartiness)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Optional toppings: see below
What to do:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Let the spices toast for about 30 seconds to release their aroma.
Add the diced chicken to the pot, stirring to coat in the spices. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, and the vegetables are tender.
Stir in corn and/or black beans. Simmer for 5 minutes to warm. Turn off the heat and add lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve in bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro. Add optional toppings like avocado slices, tortilla strips, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
More Fun Toppings to Try!
Diced avocado or a dollop of guacamole
Sour cream or Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
Shredded cheese (like cotija, queso fresco, or cheddar)
Crispy tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
Toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Fresh cilantro leaves
Thinly sliced green onions or chives
Fresh lime wedges for squeezing on top
Pickled jalapeños or onions
Sliced fresh jalapeños
A sprinkle of chili flakes or hot sauce