Hearty Southwest Chicken and Bean Soup
Warm up with a bowl of our Hearty Southwest Chicken and Bean Soup, a flavorful blend that combines tender chicken, hearty beans, and vibrant vegetables all simmered in a rich, spiced broth. This soup is an ideal comfort food, enriched with southwest flavors that lend depth and warmth to every bite. Feel free to customize it with fresh vegetables straight from your garden or local farmers' market. From zucchini and corn to green beans and bell peppers, the choice is yours! Just remember to adjust the liquid for your preferred consistency. This dish is not only filling but also packed with the nutrition you need to keep energized throughout the day.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 teaspoons (None)
Red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
Chicken grill seasoning
1 tablespoon (None)
Onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (None)
Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Fresh oregano
1 teaspoon (or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano)
Celery
2 stalks (diced)
Carrots
2 (peeled and cubed)
Potatoes
2 medium (cubed)
Chunk chicken
1 (12 1/2 ounce) can (drained (or equal amount pre-cooked chicken))
Cannellini beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Chicken broth
3 cups (None)
Water
3 cups (None)
Stewed tomatoes
16 ounces (None)
Salt
to taste (None)
Pepper
to taste (None)
Shredded cheese
optional (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large stock or soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced celery, cubed carrots, and cubed potatoes. Sauté these vegetables for about 3 minutes.
2
During the last minute of sautéing, add the red pepper flakes, chicken grill seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the pot. Stir well to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with the spices.
3
Next, stir in the drained cannellini beans, drained kidney beans, chicken broth, water, and stewed tomatoes. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
4
Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. You can allow the soup to cook for up to 1 hour; however, the potatoes should be tender in about 30 minutes depending on their size.
5
Once the soup is fully cooked, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.
6
Ladle the soup into bowls while hot and sprinkle shredded cheese on top if desired. Enjoy the satisfying warmth of this nourishing dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Southwest Chicken and Bean Soup?
It is a flavorful, nutritious blend of tender chicken, hearty beans, and vibrant vegetables simmered in a spiced broth with southwest flavors.
What kind of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 12.5-ounce can of chunk chicken, drained, or an equal amount of pre-cooked chicken.
Can I use fresh chicken instead of canned?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked fresh chicken as long as it is prepared before adding it to the soup.
What types of beans are included?
This soup uses a combination of cannellini beans and kidney beans.
Do I need to rinse the beans?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the cannellini and kidney beans should be drained and rinsed before adding them to the pot.
What vegetables are in the base of the soup?
The base consists of diced celery, peeled and cubed carrots, and cubed potatoes.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. You can customize it with zucchini, corn, green beans, or bell peppers from your garden or market.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
What spices give it the southwest flavor?
The southwest profile comes from a mix of red pepper flakes, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Is this soup spicy?
It has a mild kick from red pepper flakes and chili powder, but you can adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level.
Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
What kind of broth is required?
The recipe uses 3 cups of chicken broth combined with 3 cups of water.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables first?
Yes, sauté the celery, carrots, and potatoes in olive oil for about 3 minutes to start building flavor.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of stewed tomatoes.
When should I add the spices?
Add the spices during the last minute of sautéing the vegetables to coat them evenly.
How do I serve the soup?
Ladle the soup into bowls while hot and sprinkle with shredded cheese if desired.
Can I make this soup thicker?
You can adjust the liquid levels to your preference or simmer it longer to reduce the broth.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nourishing dish packed with nutrition to keep you energized.
What is chicken grill seasoning?
It is a spice blend typically containing salt, pepper, and herbs designed for chicken; 1 tablespoon is used in this recipe.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?
Yes, you can substitute other root vegetables, though it will slightly change the flavor profile.
Can I substitute the kidney beans?
Yes, you can use black beans or pinto beans if you prefer.
Should I peel the carrots?
The recipe recommends peeling and cubing the carrots for the best texture.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 2 teaspoons of olive oil for sautéing.
What should I do if the soup is too salty?
You can add a bit more water or another potato to help balance the saltiness.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
While the instructions are for a stovetop, you could adapt it for a slow cooker by adding all ingredients except the cheese and cooking on low.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but you should check your chicken grill seasoning and chicken broth labels to be sure.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 20 ingredients total, including optional toppings and seasonings.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is heating olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat.
Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Yes, you can substitute fresh diced tomatoes, though you may want to add a bit of tomato juice to match the consistency of stewed tomatoes.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.