Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup Recipe
Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is a creamy, flavorful, and comforting soup that combines the bold heat of jalapeños with rich cream cheese and sharp cheddar, paired with tender chicken to create a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for any season.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- Optional: ½ cup bacon bits
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2–3 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into chunks
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk
Liquids
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a touch of oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Add Jalapeños and Spices: Add finely chopped jalapeño peppers to the pot along with cumin and paprika. Stir well to combine, allowing the peppers to soften slightly and the spices to release their flavors.
- Combine Broth and Cream Cheese: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually add chunks of cream cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts fully into the broth, creating a smooth and creamy base.
- Incorporate Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, and Cream: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Add shredded cheddar cheese and a splash of heavy cream or milk. Stir continuously until the cheese melts fully and the soup is heated through.
- Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding salt, pepper, or additional jalapeños if desired. Allow the soup to simmer for a few more minutes to ensure all flavors meld perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh jalapeños for brighter heat and flavor.
- Sauté garlic, onions, and jalapeños first to deepen the flavor base.
- Cut cream cheese into small cubes and add slowly to prevent clumping.
- Remove jalapeño seeds for milder heat or leave them in for spicier soup.
- Shred cooked chicken finely for a smooth, satisfying texture.
- This soup can be customized with extra veggies like corn or spinach.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze cooled soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: spicy soup, jalapeño popper soup, chicken soup, comfort food, creamy soup, meal prep soup, spicy chicken soup