Green Chili Chicken Soup Recipe for Zesty Comfort

I discovered this magical green chili chicken soup during a spontaneous kitchen experiment last winter.

Memories of southwestern flavors danced through my mind while chopping fresh ingredients.

Peppers and tender chicken chunks create an incredible harmony in this comforting dish.

Warmth radiates from each spoonful, promising delicious comfort on chilly evenings.

Fragrant spices blend seamlessly, telling a story of culinary adventure with every bite.

Home cooks can easily master this recipe with simple techniques and accessible ingredients.

Each serving promises a delightful journey through rich, vibrant flavors that will make you smile.

I promise this soup will become your new favorite cold-weather companion.

Why Green Chili Chicken Soup Is So Satisfying

• Quick Weeknight Wonder
• Ready in under 30 minutes, this soup delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy families craving a delicious meal.
• Easily adaptable with optional toppings like cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese, allowing everyone to personalize their dining experience.
• Warm, creamy texture and mild green chile heat make this soup universally appealing for both kids and adults, ensuring clean plates all around.
• Minimal dishes and simple cooking technique mean less cleanup, making this recipe a stress-free solution for hectic evenings.

Everything You Need for Green Chili Chicken Soup

• Shredded Chicken: The star protein that adds heartiness and substance to the soup, best from rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken.

• Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor for the soup's foundation.
• Garlic: Adds depth and pungent warmth to the overall taste profile.
• Cumin, Oregano, Chili Powder: Classic spice blend that gives the soup its southwestern character and complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing other flavors.

• Green Chiles: Introduces mild heat and bright pepper flavor, typically from canned diced green chiles.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base with rich chicken flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Adds creamy texture and subtle tanginess, helps thicken the soup.
• Half-and-Half: Provides additional richness and smoothness to the final soup.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing aromatics and creating the initial flavor base.

• Corn: Adds sweetness and texture to the soup, can use fresh, frozen, or canned.

Cooking Green Chili Chicken Soup from Scratch

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet fragrance.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

• Minced garlic
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir quickly and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices and intensify their flavors.

Step 3: Combine Hearty Ingredients

• Roasted green chiles
• Shredded cooked chicken
• Sweet corn kernels
• Chicken broth

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld together.

Step 4: Create Creamy Texture

Lower the heat and stir in cream cheese. Continuously mix until the cheese completely melts and blends smoothly into the soup.

Step 5: Finish with Luxurious Cream

Pour in half-and-half and continue simmering gently. Avoid boiling to maintain a silky consistency. Cook for 5-10 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.

Step 6: Perfect the Flavor

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a balanced and delicious profile.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or crispy tortilla strips.

Tips to Maximize Flavor in Green Chili Chicken Soup

• Spice Control: Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot green chiles based on your spice tolerance, ensuring a personalized soup experience.
• Cream Cheese Trick: Soften cream cheese at room temperature before adding to prevent lumping and create a smoother, more even texture.
• Chicken Options: Use rotisserie chicken for quick preparation or shred leftover grilled chicken to add extra flavor and reduce cooking time.
• Thickening Technique: Let the soup simmer uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken, creating a richer consistency without added thickeners.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut milk and vegan cream cheese for a plant-based version that maintains the soup's creamy profile.

How to Save and Reheat Green Chili Chicken Soup

• Store leftover green chili chicken soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. The cream cheese might slightly separate upon thawing, but stirring will help restore texture.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Stop when soup reaches desired temperature.

What Goes Well with Green Chili Chicken Soup

• Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's spicy green chili notes and cut through the creamy richness.
• Bake a slightly sweet cornbread with jalapeño chunks to echo the soup's southwestern flavors and provide a perfect dipping companion.
• Create a light side salad with crisp romaine, cilantro, and crushed tortilla strips to add texture and freshness against the soup's creamy base.
• Slice ripe avocado on top to bring cool, buttery contrast to the warm, spicy soup and add a luxurious finishing touch.

Green Chili Chicken Soup: Ways to Make It Your Own

• Low-Carb Version: Replace corn with cauliflower rice and use full-fat cream cheese. Skip half-and-half and substitute with heavy cream for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream and use unsweetened almond milk instead of half-and-half. Ensure chicken broth is dairy-free.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with white beans or plant-based chicken substitute. Use vegetable broth and increase spices for extra flavor depth.
• Spicy Heat Lover's Edition: Add diced jalapeños, increase chili powder, and include a splash of hot sauce. Garnish with extra green chiles for intense heat levels.

Got Questions About This Chicken Soup? Start Here

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Shred the meat before adding it to the soup.

• Is this soup spicy?

The green chiles provide a mild to moderate heat. If you prefer less spice, use fewer chiles or remove the seeds.

• Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Replace cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or coconut cream. Use plant-based milk instead of half-and-half.

• What can I do if the soup is too thick?

Simply add more chicken broth or half-and-half to reach your desired consistency. Stir and simmer gently until heated through.

Green Chili Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy green chili chicken soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending Mexican-inspired flavors with hearty ingredients. Warm spices and tender chicken create a soul-satisfying meal that brings comfort directly to your table.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)

Liquids, Spices, and Seasonings:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Sliced jalapenos

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a robust cooking vessel over moderate temperature, gently sautéing chopped onions until they become translucent and tender.
2. Introduce minced garlic and aromatic spices, including cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper, stirring briefly to awaken their intense flavors.
3. Incorporate diced green chiles, shredded chicken, and sweet corn kernels, then pour in rich chicken broth, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle bubbling state.
4. Reduce cooking temperature and gradually fold in cream cheese, stirring consistently until the dairy component completely dissolves and melds with the soup’s liquid base.
5. Stream in half-and-half, maintaining a delicate simmer without reaching a full boil, allowing the soup to slowly thicken and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
6. Carefully evaluate the soup’s seasoning profile, making nuanced adjustments to enhance the overall flavor balance.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, embellishing with an array of complementary garnishes that add texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Use fresh green chiles for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile that elevates the soup’s overall taste.
• Consider roasting the chiles beforehand to develop a deeper, smokier undertone that adds complexity to the dish.
• Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for a lighter, healthier alternative that still maintains a creamy texture.
• For a gluten-free version, ensure all ingredients like chicken broth are certified gluten-free and double-check spice blend ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 462
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg