Description
Santa Fe Green Chile Chicken Soup is a hearty, spicy southwestern soup featuring tender chicken, smoky roasted green chiles, and a creamy, comforting broth. Balanced with fresh lime juice and versatile ingredients, it offers rich flavor and satisfying nourishment perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 roasted green chiles, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or drained if canned) – optional
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed – optional
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cream or milk (or coconut milk or plain yogurt as alternatives)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a bit of oil in a large pot and gently cook diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, building a rich flavor base.
- Add Chicken and Seasonings: Add chicken pieces along with cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is lightly browned all over to lock in flavors.
- Incorporate Green Chiles and Broth: Pour in chopped roasted green chiles and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, allowing smoky heat to infuse the soup.
- Add Corn, Beans, and Simmer: Stir in drained corn kernels and black beans (if using). Let everything simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and flavors meld beautifully.
- Finish with Cream and Lime: Just before serving, stir in cream or milk to smooth the texture. Add a squeeze of lime juice to brighten the dish with citrus freshness.
Notes
- Roast your own green chiles for a fresher, smokier flavor.
- Bone-in chicken pieces can be used for deeper flavor but require extra prep.
- Don’t skip the lime juice—it enhances brightness and balances heat.
- Adjust spice levels gradually to suit your taste.
- Simmer gently on low heat to keep chicken tender and avoid breaking down the cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Santa Fe, green chile, chicken soup, southwestern, spicy, creamy, comfort food, gluten free, hearty soup
