Zesty Southwest Chicken & Veggie Soup
Warm up on a chilly day with Zesty Southwest Chicken & Veggie Soup, a delicious and satisfying dish inspired by the rich flavors of the Southwest. This hearty soup features tender, bite-sized chicken breasts simmered with vibrant bell peppers, fragrant garlic, and sweet onions. Enhanced with zesty tomatoes, green chilies, and a bold taco seasoning mix, each spoonful bursts with flavor. This Atkins-friendly recipe is perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet, but it's delicious enough to satisfy the whole family. Serve it up with a dollop of sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese for an extra layer of richness, and enjoy a comforting meal that's both nutritious and comforting.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
2 lbs (cut into bite-sized chunks)
bell pepper
1 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
sweet onion
1 small (chopped)
chicken stock
1 1/2 cups (ready to use)
butter
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
chili seasoning mix
1 packet (such as McCormick Hot taco seasoning)
canned tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can (chopped or stewed)
green chili
1/2 cup (canned or fresh)
Instructions
1
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks, ensuring even cooking.
2
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped bell pepper, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3
Add the chicken pieces to the pan with the sautéed vegetables, seasoning them with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the chicken until it begins to turn opaque but is not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes.
4
While the chicken is cooking, preheat your crock pot on the high setting.
5
Once the chicken is partially cooked, transfer it along with the vegetables into the crock pot. Pour in the chicken stock, canned tomatoes, green chilies, and taco seasoning, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
6
Cover the crock pot and cook on high for approximately 45 minutes. After that, reduce the heat to low and let simmer until you're ready to serve. This allows flavors to meld beautifully.
7
When ready to serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. If a thicker consistency is desired, cook the soup uncovered for a while before serving.
8
Optional: For non-Atkins dieters, consider serving with corn chips, beans, or rice to enhance the meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Southwest Chicken & Veggie Soup?
It is a hearty, low-carb soup featuring chicken breasts, bell peppers, garlic, and onions, flavored with Southwest seasonings and green chilies.
What are the primary ingredients needed for this recipe?
The main ingredients include 2 lbs of chicken breasts, bell peppers, garlic, sweet onion, chicken stock, butter, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes, and green chilies.
Is this soup recipe low-carb?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be low-carb and is specifically noted as being Atkins-friendly.
How should I prepare the chicken for the soup?
The chicken breasts should be cut into bite-sized chunks to ensure even cooking throughout the process.
How do I start the cooking process?
Begin by melting 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat and sautéing the bell pepper, garlic, and onion.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the chopped bell pepper, minced garlic, and onion for about 5 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
When do I add the chicken to the skillet?
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet once the vegetables have softened, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Should the chicken be fully cooked in the skillet?
No, you should only cook the chicken until it begins to turn opaque, which takes about 4-5 minutes, as it will finish cooking in the crock pot.
What setting should I use for the crock pot?
You should preheat the crock pot on the high setting while the chicken is cooking in the skillet.
Which liquids and canned goods are added to the crock pot?
Once the chicken and vegetables are transferred, add the chicken stock, canned tomatoes, green chilies, and taco seasoning.
How long does the soup cook in the crock pot on high?
The soup should cook covered on the high setting for approximately 45 minutes.
What do I do after the initial 45 minutes of crock pot cooking?
Reduce the heat to the low setting and let the soup simmer until you are ready to serve to allow flavors to meld.
How can I achieve a thicker soup consistency?
If a thicker consistency is desired, you can cook the soup uncovered for a period of time before serving.
What garnishes are recommended for serving?
The recipe suggests garnishing each bowl with sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Can I add carbohydrates if I am not on a low-carb diet?
Yes, non-Atkins dieters can enhance the meal by serving the soup with corn chips, beans, or rice.
What type of taco seasoning is suggested?
The recipe suggests using one packet of chili seasoning mix, such as McCormick Hot taco seasoning.
How much chicken stock is required?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of ready-to-use chicken stock.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 garlic cloves, minced.
What size of canned tomatoes should I use?
Use one 14-ounce can of chopped or stewed tomatoes.
Can I use fresh green chilies?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1/2 cup of canned or fresh green chilies.
What type of onion works best for this soup?
The recipe specifically calls for one small sweet onion, chopped.
Is there a specific amount of bell pepper to use?
Yes, use 1 cup of chopped bell pepper.
What is the purpose of the butter in this recipe?
The 1/4 cup of butter is used for sautéing the vegetables to add richness and flavor.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for chilly days.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients listed for this recipe.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe specifies 2 lbs of chicken breasts, you could substitute thighs, though it may change the fat content.
What is the flavor profile of this soup?
The soup is zesty and bold, inspired by Southwest flavors with heat from the taco seasoning and green chilies.
Is salt and pepper included in the ingredient count?
Salt and pepper are used to taste but are not listed as part of the 9 main counted ingredients.
How should I serve the soup once it is finished?
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and immediately add your cheese and sour cream toppings.
Can I make this soup without a slow cooker?
The recipe is optimized for a crock pot, but the ingredients could be simmered on a stove on low heat after the initial sauté.