This easy and nutritious Jalapeño Lime Chicken Soup is perfect for anyone looking for a zesty and comforting meal. It combines the creamy goodness of white beans and the tangy flavor of salsa verde, enhanced with a burst of fresh jalapeño and lime juice.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 jalapeños, ribs and seeds removed, minced
- Half a red onion, minced
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Two 14-ounce cans of white beans (canellini or great northern), drained
- One 16-ounce jar of salsa verde
- Juice of 2 limes
- Fresh cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese for serving
Instructions:
- In a soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion and jalapeño, cooking until they’re soft and releasing their aromas.
- Pour in the water and add salt, then bring to a boil. Place the chicken in the pot, cover, and let it cook for 5-10 minutes. Turn off the heat but keep the pot covered, allowing the chicken to continue cooking in the hot water for another 20 minutes.
- Take the chicken out of the pot and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, add the white beans and salsa verde to the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes on medium heat.
- Shred the cooled chicken and stir it back into the pot.
- Just before serving, squeeze in the juice from one lime. Cut the other lime into wedges to serve alongside the soup.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve the soup garnished with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
Additional Tips:
- If you notice any unwanted chicken fat in the broth, you can remove it by straining the broth through a fine sieve or skimming the fat off the top with a spoon.
- For those who enjoy a less spicy soup, serving it with white rice can help balance the flavors. You can either mix the rice into the soup or serve it on the side.
- If you’re using an Instant Pot, combine the jalapeños, onion, water, salt, chicken, beans, and salsa verde in the pot and cook on the soup setting for 10 minutes with a quick release. Then, proceed with shredding the chicken and adding lime juice as described.
This soup is not only delicious but also versatile, making it a perfect dish for any season. Enjoy your homemade Jalapeño Lime Chicken Soup!
