Description
This creamy and flavorful Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup combines tender shredded chicken, spicy jalapeños, rich cream cheese, and sharp cheddar to create a comforting dish inspired by the classic appetizer. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s quick to prepare and packed with bold, cheesy goodness balanced by a gentle kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Cooked, crumbled bacon
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, providing a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté Onion: Add the finely diced onion to the pot and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes, which enhances the soup’s sweetness.
- Add Garlic and Jalapeños: Stir in minced garlic and chopped jalapeños, cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes to release their aroma and spicy flavor.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to start building the soup base.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese and whisk continuously until it’s fully melted and the texture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Chicken and Heavy Cream: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and heavy cream to enrich the soup and add protein.
- Simmer to Thicken: Let the soup simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Melt in Cheddar Cheese: Gradually stir in the sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted for a rich, cheesy finish.
- Season: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with optional cooked bacon and chopped green onions or fresh parsley for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot and enjoy the creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors.
Notes
- For less heat, reduce the amount of jalapeños or remove all their seeds.
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick preparation.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the chicken broth is certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- For extra creaminess, you can add a little more heavy cream or cream cheese.
