Zesty White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots Recipe

Warm comfort meets zesty flair in this spicy white chicken soup that’ll make taste buds dance with excitement.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a bowl packed with robust flavors and unexpected crunch.

Crispy seasoned tots add a playful twist to the classic soup, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among creamy broth, promising a satisfying experience with each spoonful.

Aromatic spices weave through the soup, delivering a gentle heat that builds with every bite.

Perfectly balanced and surprisingly simple, you can whip up this delightful recipe in less than an hour.

Grab a ladle and prepare to be amazed by this comforting yet adventurous dish that breaks all the soup rules.

Perfect Pairings for Spicy White Chicken Soup

• Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the soup's richness and complement its spicy undertones.
• Select a light, hoppy craft beer that balances the soup's creamy texture and enhances its spicy green chile flavors.
• Add a slice of lime or lemon to create a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the soup's warm and creamy profile.
• Toss a simple green salad with avocado, radishes, and a lime vinaigrette to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the hearty soup.

Swap Ideas for Different Twists

• Vegetarian White Bean Soup: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or white beans for a plant-based version. Use vegetable broth and add extra spices for depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Option: Swap regular tater tots for gluten-free potato nuggets. Ensure all spices and broth are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute tater tots with roasted cauliflower florets. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce carbohydrate content and maintain creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream and sour cream with coconut cream. Use almond milk or cashew cream for a smooth, allergen-friendly soup base that maintains rich flavor profile.

Answers to Your Chicken-Tot Soup Questions

• Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of shredded chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saving option that adds great flavor and makes preparation super quick and easy.

• Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild to medium heat level from green chiles and optional hot sauce. You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less green chiles or hot sauce to suit your taste preference.

• Are green chiles very hot?

Green chiles are typically mild with a slightly smoky flavor. They provide more flavor complexity than intense heat, making them great for people who want taste without overwhelming spiciness.

• Can I make this soup dairy-free?

To make this soup dairy-free, replace sour cream and heavy cream with coconut cream or dairy-free alternatives. The soup will still maintain its creamy texture and delicious flavor profile.

White Chicken Soup with Tater Crunch

• Packed with green chiles and optional hot sauce, this recipe delivers a warming kick that transforms ordinary chicken soup into an exciting flavor adventure.
• Crispy tater tots as a topping make this soup irresistible for children, turning a potentially boring meal into a playful dining experience that gets everyone excited about dinner.
• Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences by swapping chicken, adjusting spice levels, or making it vegetarian, this soup works for everything from casual family dinners to game night gatherings.

Ingredients for Spicy Chicken and Tots Soup

Main Ingredients:

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that provides substance and heartiness to the soup.
• White Beans: Creamy legumes that add texture and additional protein boost.

• Sour Cream, Heavy Cream: Rich dairy components that create a smooth, luxurious soup base.

• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid foundation that develops the soup's overall taste.

• Onion: Aromatic base that provides deep, sweet undertones to the soup.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds robust flavor and depth.
• Green Chiles: Spicy element that introduces heat and zesty character.

• Cumin: Warm spice that offers earthy, complex flavor profile.
• Oregano: Herbaceous seasoning that brings subtle Mediterranean notes.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances overall taste.

• Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent to adjust soup's consistency.

• Tater Tots: Crispy potato bites that provide crunchy texture contrast.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, clean garnish.
• Green Onions: Mild onion-flavored topping for extra freshness.
• Hot Sauce: Spicy condiment for additional heat customization.

How to Make This Spicy, Crispy Topped Bowl

Step 1: Crisp Up the Tots

Preheat the oven and spread tater tots on a baking sheet. Bake until they turn golden and crunchy. Set them aside for the grand finale.

• Tater tots
• Baking sheet

Step 2: Build the Flavor Foundation

Warm a large pot over medium heat. Drop in some oil and toss in diced onions. Let them dance and soften, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and let it become fragrant.

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Garlic

Step 3: Awaken the Spices

Sprinkle in green chiles, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir and let the spices release their magical aromas, creating a tantalizing base.

• Green chiles
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Salt

Step 4: Bring the Soup to Life

Pour in white beans, shredded chicken, and chicken broth. Let everything bubble gently. Swirl in sour cream and heavy cream for luxurious richness.

• White beans
• Shredded chicken
• Chicken broth
• Sour cream
• Heavy cream

Step 5: Thicken the Texture (Optional)

For a heartier soup, mix cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry. Stir it into the pot and let the soup simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.

• Cornstarch
• Water

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Crown each serving with crispy tater tots. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and green onions on top. Add a zigzag of hot sauce for extra kick.

• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Hot sauce

Tips to Nail the Texture and Kick

• Maximize Crispy Tots: Spread tater tots in a single layer on the baking sheet to ensure maximum crispiness and even golden-brown edges.
• Control Soup Spiciness: Adjust green chiles and hot sauce quantity to match your personal heat tolerance, allowing customization for mild or fiery preferences.
• Cream Consistency Hack: Temper sour cream and heavy cream by slowly adding hot soup liquid before stirring into the pot to prevent curdling and maintain smooth texture.
• Chicken Prep Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken or quickly poach chicken breasts for tender, easily shredded meat that saves preparation time.
• Thickening Tricks: Whisk cornstarch with cold liquid before adding to soup to prevent lumps and create a silky, consistent thickness without clumping.

Leftover Soup and Tots? Here’s the Game Plan

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the crispy tater tots separate to maintain their crunch.
• Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain creamy texture.
• Quickly reheat tater tots in a preheated oven at 400°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their original crispiness.
• Freeze soup without cream and tater tots for up to 2 months, adding cream and fresh tots when reheating for best quality.

Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy white chicken soup with seasoned tots brings warmth and comfort to kitchen tables across regions. Crispy potato gems nestled in creamy broth promise hearty satisfaction for diners craving bold mexican-inspired flavors you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 3 cups chicken broth

Soup Base and Vegetables:

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (113 grams / 4 ounces) cans diced green chiles
• 1 (425 grams / 15 ounces) can white beans (cannellini or great northern), rinsed and drained

Seasonings and Creams:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)

Toppings:

• 1 (453 grams / 16 ounces) bag frozen seasoned tater tots
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Green onions, sliced
• Hot sauce, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the crispy tater tots according to package instructions until they achieve a golden, crunchy texture. Reserve the tots for final garnishing.
2. Select a spacious soup pot or Dutch oven and warm the oil over medium heat. Gently sauté the diced onions, allowing them to soften and become translucent for approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the aromatic onion mixture, stirring continuously for about 60 seconds to prevent burning and release its robust flavor.
4. Incorporate green chiles, ground cumin, dried oregano, and salt into the pot. Allow the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrance for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken broth, then add shredded chicken and white beans. Gradually bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, ensuring even heat distribution.
6. Reduce heat and fold in sour cream and heavy cream, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency. Stir thoroughly to prevent separation.
7. For a slightly thicker soup, whisk cornstarch with a small amount of liquid and slowly incorporate into the simmering soup. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the desired consistency is reached.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, strategically placing the pre-prepared crispy tater tots on top for textural contrast.
9. Finish the dish with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and a dramatic drizzle of hot sauce for an extra flavor kick.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of green chiles or adding jalapeños for extra spiciness.
• Swap tater tots with roasted cauliflower or sweet potato cubes for a gluten-free or low-carb alternative.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce fat content and add protein boost.
• Prepare chicken in advance by slow-cooking or using rotisserie chicken to save time during meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg