Warm up with an irresistible Santa Fe chicken soup
Santa Fe Chicken Soup Recipe: A Savory and Satisfying Meal
Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! If you’re looking for a soup that is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make, then look no further than this Santa Fe chicken soup recipe. It’s the perfect dish for cold winter nights or any time of year when you want something comforting and filling.
What sets this soup apart from the rest? It all starts with juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts that are cooked until tender in a blend of aromatic spices such as cumin and dried cilantro. The chicken is then combined with black beans, diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, bell pepper, onion, and celery to create a well-rounded flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds.
As if that wasn’t enough, the aroma of roasted garlic cloves in olive oil will waft through your kitchen as you cook the soup. This complex flavor layering makes this Santa Fe chicken soup recipe one of the best soups in town!
Plus, when you use a crockpot or slow cooker to make this soup recipe, it becomes even more delectable! You can expect perfectly succulent and delectable chicken with minimal effort.
So don’t settle for boring soups or stews when you have the opportunity to enjoy a tantalizing bowl of Santa Fe chicken soup. It’s guaranteed to satisfy your appetite and leave you feeling full and contented. Trust me; your guests will be talking about your soup game long after their bowls are empty!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a soup game enthusiast or someone looking for a cozy dish to warm up your winter dinner gatherings, the Santa Fe Chicken Soup recipe is your holy grail! The combination of spiced and seasoned boneless chicken breasts, black beans, diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, celery, and onion creates a zesty Santa Fe flavor that will make your taste buds dance.
But it’s not just about the taste–this recipe is highly versatile and customizable. You can use the slow cooker or crock pot to prepare it while you’re busy with other tasks. Also, with a little creativity and experimentation, you can make substitutions and variations according to your preferences.
One of the perks of this recipe is its nutrition value. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are an excellent source of lean protein, while black beans add fiber to keep you full longer. If you prefer vegetarian options, you can replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken altogether.
Moreover, this recipe yields a large batch that can feed your family for days or make for a rocking party dish. Therefore, it’s an excellent time-saving option that also tastes better as leftovers!
All in all, the Santa Fe Chicken Soup recipe is here to spice up your dinner game with its delicious yet nutritious taste and easy-to-follow preparation steps. Say goodbye to bland soups this winter and go Santa Fe style!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this soul-warming Santa Fe Chicken Soup Recipe. Make sure to check off everything on this list before heading to the grocery store!
Main Ingredients:
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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2 celery ribs, diced
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14 oz canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes with mild green chilies (undrained)
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4 cups chicken broth
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4 cans of black beans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
Spices:
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1 tbsp cumin
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1 tbsp dried cilantro
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1 tsp garlic powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
Additional options:
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Bell pepper, diced
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Corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
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Rice, cooked
With these ingredients in hand, you’ll be ready to start cooking up some delicious Santa Fe Chicken Soup.
The Recipe How-To
To make this Santa Fe Chicken Soup you’ll need the following:
Ingredients List:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
- 1 cup corn
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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In a large stock pot or slow cooker set on medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil.
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Add the chicken pieces and brown them for about 5 minutes.
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Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
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Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook until the vegetables soften.
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Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
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Add the drained black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn kernels, and all of the spices; stir well.
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Lower heat to medium-low or transfer contents into your crock pot set on low.
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Cover and simmer for 3 to 4 hours on low, or until chicken is fork-tender or fully cooked through.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Follow these instructions closely for a delicious Santa Fe Chicken Soup that is packed full of flavor!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are a few ways to mix up the flavors of this Santa Fe Chicken Soup recipe. Here are some substitutions and variations to consider:
– Black Beans: If you don’t have any black beans on hand, you can swap them out with kidney beans or pinto beans. Both beans will add a similar texture and heartiness to the soup.
– Chicken: You don’t have to use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use rotisserie chicken or ground beef. If you decide to use ground beef, brown it in a large stock pot before adding the rest of the ingredients.
– Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: If you want to add a smokier flavor to the soup, try using canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes with mild green chilies.
– Vegetarian: To make this recipe vegetarian-friendly, omit the chicken altogether and substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
– Cheesy Variation: For a creamier soup with a cheesy twist, add some Velveeta cheese at the end and stir until melted.
– Zesty Chicken Soup Variation: Try adding some Taco seasoning blend and rice for a zesty chicken soup variation.
These substitutions will bring added warmth, richness and depth of flavor to your Santa Fe Chicken Soup game. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and play around with different combinations to find your perfect variation!
Serving and Pairing
After preparing the Santa Fe chicken soup, what comes next is deciding how best to serve it. This soup is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any gathering or family meal. You can serve it hot, drizzled with a bit of sour cream or cheese, and garnished with avocado and cilantro. The toppings bring out different flavors of the soup and give it an intriguing texture that makes every bite delightful.
This soup is quite versatile and can be paired with various foodstuffs depending on your preference. Cornbread is the ideal accompaniment to this Santa Fe chicken soup recipe. Cornbread and any type of bread pair well because they have a mild, subtle flavor that doesn’t compete with the intense flavors in the soup.
If you prefer something light, consider serving it alongside a simple salad made from fresh greens, vegetables, and homemade dressing. Salad with mixed greens and tomatoes complements the soup texture and will make for an unforgettable dining experience.
If you’re serving this Santa Fe chicken soup on a cold day, consider pairing it with grilled sandwiches such as a panini or grilled cheese. The grilled sandwich gives the dish an added layer of texture that heightens your taste buds’ experience.
For a hearty companion to this zesty Santa Fe chicken soup recipe, consider serving it alongside Mexican rice or tortilla chips. These sides would add more substance to your main course while expanding your meal options at the same time.
In conclusion, Santa Fe chicken soup is not only palatable but also incredibly versatile when it comes to pairing options. The decision on how best to serve this comfort food depends on your preference and occasion. With these pairing options in mind, you can always savor the warmth of the bowl at your convenience.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As someone who loves to entertain, I know that planning ahead is key. That’s why I always suggest making this Santa Fe chicken soup recipe ahead of time. It’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks or any kind of event. To make things even easier, you can store it for later consumption or freeze it for even longer-term storage.
If you want to make this soup recipe a day or two before your party, I recommend preparing it according to the instructions and letting it cool down completely at room temperature. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the soup slowly over medium-low heat on the stove. Be careful not to bring it to a boil too quickly, as this can cause the ingredients to break down and lose their flavor.
If you want to freeze the soup, allow it to cool down completely first. Once cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid. You can keep this dish in your freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to reheat the soup, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw out in your refrigerator overnight. When thawed out, reheat slowly on medium-low heat on your stovetop.
Just like when cooking any meal, allow yourself some breathing room when reheating this Santa Fe chicken soup recipe. This will ensure that leftovers taste just as amazing as when it was freshly cooked!
Tips for Perfect Results
Cooking is an art that requires patience and attention to detail. To achieve the perfect outcome, it’s essential to follow each recipe step carefully, especially when it comes to correct measurements of ingredients. Here are some helpful tips to help ensure a successful outcome when creating Santa Fe Chicken Soup.
First, keep in mind that chicken is the main star of this dish, so it’s crucial to use the right parts of the bird. Try using boneless skinless chicken breasts; they are easy to work with and cook quickly. If you prefer using other parts of the chicken, make sure that you adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Your onion and garlic cloves provide flavor depth and aroma to the soup. Remember to mince them as finely as possible so that they blend effortlessly into the broth.
Sautéing the vegetables before adding other ingredients can elevate this soup’s flavor profile, ensuring that you are locking in complex flavors by caramelizing your onions and bringing out their sweetness.
Add your herbs and spices early on in the recipe, where this will allow time for them to permeate throughout your soup, enhancing its overall taste. Santa Fe Chicken Soup typically contains cumin, which gives it a warm smoky flavor profile that is an essential ingredient for this recipe.
When you’re going through the ingredient list, consider adding additional vegetables such as bell peppers, celery or corn tomatoes. These will add an extra layer of complexity and nutrition to your soup.
In terms of storage and reheating, separate any remaining soup from any noodles or rice since these can quickly become mushy when re-heated with broth. It’s better than retaining its texture than letting it become overcooked. Finally, garnishing your soup can give an added pop of color and texture while adding more flavors like dried cilantro could help amplify Santa Fe’s lively and zesty vibe!
With these tips in mind, you’ll surely achieve a fantastic bowl of Santa Fe Chicken Soup every single time!
FAQ
As you prepare to become the star of the “soup game,” you may have some questions about this Santa Fe Chicken Soup recipe. Here are some of the frequently asked ones that can help take away any doubts and ensure that your dish turns out perfectly delicious.
What is Santa Fe chicken made of?
Santa Fe Chicken is a flavorful and hearty one pot meal that consists of well-seasoned chicken breast pieces combined with a variety of vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, and black beans. There are many different versions of this dish, allowing you to customize it to your personal preferences by choosing which vegetables you include.
What brings out the flavor in chicken soup?
When it comes to flavoring chicken soup, there are several spices and herbs that can enhance its taste. Recommended spices include paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. For a richer flavor, you can also add bay leaf, thyme, parsley, coriander, marjoram, oregano, or rosemary.
How do you make chicken soup taste richer?
One interesting way to make your broth more flavorful and tasty is to incorporate ingredients that are known to enhance the savory richness of the dish. For instance, roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso can be great options to add a delicious umami taste and depth to your broth.
Why do people put lemon juice in chicken noodle soup?
Adding lemons to chicken soup can transform its overall taste. The citrusy fruit has the power to enhance and harmonize the salty and savory flavors of the dish. Similar to how a vinaigrette compliments a salad, pickles compliment a burger, and sour cream blends perfectly in a coffee cake, a mere squeeze of lemon can significantly elevate the taste of chicken soup.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, I highly recommend this Santa Fe Chicken Soup recipe for your next gathering. It is a crowd-pleasing dish that is easy to make and packed with flavor. With simple ingredients, you can make this soup in no time or let it cook in the slow cooker while you enjoy your guests’ company. The substitutions and variations are endless, so feel free to get creative and make it your own. Serve it up with a side of rice or some warm tortillas, and you’ve got yourself a meal that will keep everyone coming back for more. Trust me; this soup game is on point! Try it out today and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
Santa Fe Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 3 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 cup celery (finely diced)
- 12 cups chicken stock (homemade or canned)
- 14 1/2 ounces Del Monte zesty jalapeno pepper diced tomato
- 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
- 16 ounces black bean and rice mix (2 boxes Zataran black beans and rice)
- 1 (14 ounce) bag pictsweet frozen corn and black beans
- 14 ounces black beans
- 5 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 2 teaspoons dried cilantro
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt, pepper and cumin. Grill for 5 minutes each side. Let them rest while you make the rest of the soup.
- Heat your dutch oven over high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil, add onions, celery and garlic. Allow onions to brown slightly.
- Add chicken stock, tomatoes, corn, black beans and rice. Bring to a gentle boil. Add cumin, coriander and cilantro. Cook until beans and rice are done, approximately 25 minutes.
- Cut chicken breasts into one inch cubes and add to the soup. Allow another 10 to 15 minutes to continue to cook.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream, some corn chips with guacamole -- for a complete dinner.
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!