Description
Southwest Chicken Soup with Cream Cheese is a creamy, flavorful dish packed with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and zesty spices. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for a cozy, comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large pot, cook the chicken breasts or thighs over medium heat until fully cooked. Remove from the pot, shred with two forks, and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the Base Ingredients: Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Incorporate the Spices: Season the soup with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to distribute the flavors.
- Melt the Cream Cheese: Lower the heat and add cubed cream cheese to the pot. Stir continuously until fully melted and blended into the soup.
- Combine the Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stirring to coat it with the creamy broth.
- Simmer and Finish: Let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Add lime juice and fresh cilantro for a bright finish.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese if desired. Enjoy with tortilla chips or warm bread
Notes
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder for more heat.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken for extra beans or a plant-based protein alternative.
- Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the black beans and corn, replacing them with diced bell peppers and zucchini.
- Slow Cooker Method: Combine all ingredients (except cream cheese) in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in cream cheese before serving.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cream cheese or coconut milk for a creamy consistency without dairy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, soup
- Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Southwestern, Mexican-American
Keywords: Southwest chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, one-pot soup, easy chicken soup, spicy chicken soup