Hearty & Flavorful Chipotle Chicken Soup: An Easy Recipe for Cozy Comfort
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to chase away the chill of a cold day or simply to provide a sense of cozy satisfaction. This chipotle chicken soup is not just delicious, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for those busy weeknights or a last-minute dinner or lunch. While our beloved fideo soup holds a special place, this chipotle version offers a distinctly heartier experience, packed with robust flavors and satisfying textures. The thoughtful addition of creamy avocado and protein-rich chickpeas elevates this soup, providing a delightful combination of tastes and textures while loading it with beneficial protein and healthy fats. For an extra punch of bright, zesty flavor that perfectly complements the warmth and spice, a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top is an absolute must.
Embrace the Warmth: Why This Chipotle Chicken Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food
Soup truly has a magical way of making you feel “warm” from the inside out, doesn’t it? For me, a steaming bowl of soup immediately brings to mind images of snuggling up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, while a rainy, chilly, or snowy day unfolds outside. It’s the quintessential comfort food for so many, and this particular chipotle chicken soup embodies that feeling perfectly. Its inherent spiciness adds an extra layer of warmth, invigorating your senses and making you feel genuinely cozy when the weather outside is anything but. The hearty combination of tender chicken and wholesome chickpeas ensures you’re not just warming up, but also getting a substantial amount of protein, leaving you feeling full, satisfied, and perhaps even ready for a gentle snooze on the sofa. It’s the kind of meal that nourishes both body and soul, turning an ordinary day into something a little more special.
This fantastic recipe is adapted from the renowned 300 Sensational Soups cookbook, a treasure trove of comforting recipes. One of their brilliant suggestions, which we wholeheartedly endorse, is to serve this soup with homemade crispy tortilla strips. Imagine tossing a handful of those golden, perfectly fried tortilla strips onto your bowl – it adds an irresistible crunchiness that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, rich broth. We’ve included a detailed recipe for making these delightful strips below, ensuring you can achieve that perfect texture contrast right in your own kitchen.
Customizing Your Chipotle Chicken Soup: Make It Your Own!
One of the joys of cooking is the freedom to experiment and personalize a recipe to your taste. While this chipotle chicken soup is wonderful as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Next time I prepare this dish, I’m considering adding some small red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces, to further enhance its heartiness and provide another layer of texture. Other vegetables that would integrate beautifully include diced bell peppers for sweetness and color, frozen corn for a burst of sweetness, or even some black beans for extra fiber and an earthy flavor. Don’t hesitate to play around with ingredients you love! Consider adding a touch of smoky paprika for deeper flavor, a swirl of sour cream or crema fresca for richness, or even some crumbled cotija cheese as a garnish. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and make this chipotle chicken soup truly your own culinary creation.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support this blog and allow me to continue sharing delicious recipes.
FIND THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE BELOW
Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Chipotle Chicken Soup
Crafting this vibrant and satisfying soup requires a handful of fresh and pantry staples. The star of the show, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, provides that signature smoky heat that defines the dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 6 cups chicken stock (preferably low-sodium, to control seasoning)
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (fresh garlic makes all the difference!)
- 1 to 2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to your spice preference – start with one and add more if you like it hotter)
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (for a more aromatic flavor)
- 2 14-oz cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed (a fantastic source of plant-based protein and fiber)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works perfectly for convenience, or cook and shred your own chicken breasts)
- Salt to taste (always season gradually and taste as you go)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (adds a bright, herbaceous note)
- 1 avocado, diced (for creamy texture and healthy fats)
- 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges (essential for that fresh, zesty finish)
- Crispy Tortilla Strips (recipe provided below, for an irresistible crunch)
Homemade Crispy Tortilla Strips: The Perfect Garnish
These homemade tortilla strips are incredibly easy to make and add a wonderful texture to the soup. They’re far superior to store-bought versions and worth the small effort!
- Vegetable oil (or another neutral-flavored oil suitable for frying)
- 6 6-inch corn tortillas, halved, then cut crosswise into matchstick-size strips
- Salt (fine-grained salt works best for even seasoning)
To prepare your crispy tortilla strips, start by heating about 3/4 inch of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. It’s crucial to monitor the temperature; aim for 350°F (175°C) on a candy thermometer for optimal crispiness without burning. Once the oil is at temperature, add the tortilla strips in small batches – about 4 batches should do the trick. Overcrowding the pan will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy strips. Fry them until they are crisp and a beautiful light golden brown, which typically takes only 30 to 45 seconds per batch. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the fried tortilla strips and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. While they are still warm, season them immediately and generously with salt to taste. Let them cool completely, and then enjoy them within 3 hours for the best crispness. These strips are a game-changer for this soup!
Helpful Kitchen Tools to Make Cooking Easier
Having the right tools can make your cooking experience much more enjoyable and efficient. Here are a few essential kitchen items that will be handy for this chipotle chicken soup recipe:
- Chef’s knife: For slicing garlic, dicing avocado, and chopping cilantro. A good, sharp knife makes all the difference.
- Stockpot: A large, sturdy pot is essential for simmering the soup and allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cutting board: Protect your countertops and provide a stable surface for all your chopping needs.
- Saucepan: Perfect for frying your crispy tortilla strips.
Looking for more soup inspiration? Click here to explore the 300 Sensational Soups cookbook!
Begin by combining the chicken stock, thinly sliced garlic, your desired amount of minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (remember you can always add more later if you prefer a spicier kick), and freshly ground black pepper in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for at least 15 minutes. This simmering time is crucial, as it allows all the distinct flavors to marry and deepen, creating a rich and aromatic base for your soup.
After the base flavors have had time to meld, it’s time to add the hearty components. Introduce the drained and rinsed chickpeas and the shredded cooked chicken to the pot. Stir well to combine, ensuring the chicken and chickpeas are fully submerged and warmed through. Taste the soup at this point and season with salt as needed. Remember, it’s easier to add more salt than to remove it, so season gradually until it reaches your perfect flavor balance.
Once your soup is perfectly seasoned and heated through, carefully ladle it into warm bowls. This helps keep the soup hot for longer. Now comes the best part: garnishing! Generously sprinkle with fresh, chopped cilantro for a burst of vibrant green and herbaceous flavor. Add generous cubes of creamy avocado, which will provide a cooling contrast to the spicy broth. Don’t forget your homemade crispy tortilla strips for that delightful crunch, and place a lime wedge on the side of each bowl. Encourage your diners to squeeze the fresh lime juice over their soup, as it adds a bright, acidic zing that truly awakens all the flavors.
This spicy chipotle chicken soup is simply so yummy and satisfying – it’s definitely a recipe you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation! The combination of smoky chipotle, tender chicken, wholesome chickpeas, and fresh garnishes creates a truly memorable meal. We hope you and your loved ones enjoy this flavorful and comforting dish as much as we do. We’d love to hear from you: what are your favorite soups to make when you’re looking for comfort and flavor?
If you’re looking for more delicious soup ideas to warm you up for dinner or lunch, we have plenty of other fantastic options. Our Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup is a particularly popular and incredibly flavorful choice, blending savory sausage with bright tomatoes and delicate orzo pasta. Additionally, I recently made this creamy and refreshing Asparagus Soup, and it was absolutely exquisite! It’s a lighter, yet equally satisfying option that I know I will be preparing quite often in the future. Explore these recipes to expand your soup repertoire!
This post was originally published on this blog on October 22, 2008, and has been updated and enhanced to provide even more value and detail.
Chipotle Chicken Soup
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 to 2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce minced
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 14- oz cans of chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- salt
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 avocado diced
- 1 lime cut into 6 wedges
- Crispy Tortilla Strips
Instructions
-
In a large pot, bring chicken stock, thinly sliced garlic, 1 to 2 minced chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (to taste), and freshly ground black pepper to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to fully blend and deepen. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, shredded cooked chicken, and salt to taste. Stir gently to combine and heat through.
-
Ladle the hot soup into warmed bowls. Garnish each serving generously with fresh chopped cilantro, diced avocado, a handful of crispy tortilla strips, and a lime wedge. Guests can squeeze the fresh lime over their soup just before eating for an added burst of bright, zesty flavor.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
