Cozy Up with Barefoot Contessa’s Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

Warm, comforting bowls of hearty Barefoot Contessa Mexican chicken soup invite you to savor a delightful culinary journey through vibrant flavors.

Aromatic spices dance alongside tender chicken and colorful vegetables, creating a soul-warming experience.

This recipe brings the zesty spirit of Mexican cuisine directly to your kitchen with surprising ease.

Each spoonful promises a rich blend of textures and tastes that will transport you south of the border.

The carefully balanced ingredients meld together, producing a soup that feels both familiar and excitingly different.

Simple yet sophisticated, this soup delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Get ready to enjoy a meal that will become a cherished favorite at your dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients Breakdown for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean protein that forms the hearty base of this Mexican-inspired soup, selecting fresh, organic chicken ensures maximum flavor and juiciness..
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid foundation that amplifies the soup's depth and provides essential nutrients, choose low-sodium varieties for better control of seasoning..

• Onions, Celery, Carrots: Classic mirepoix blend creating a robust flavor foundation, select crisp, firm vegetables for optimal texture and sweetness..
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse adding bold, punchy flavor, choose fresh, firm cloves without sprouts for most intense taste..
• Jalapeños: Introduces vibrant heat and authentic Mexican zest, select bright green peppers with smooth skin for balanced spiciness..
• Crushed Tomatoes: Adds tangy, rich undertone providing silky soup consistency, opt for high-quality canned varieties with minimal additives..

• Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander: Warm, earthy spices delivering authentic Mexican profile, choose whole seeds and grind fresh for maximum potency..
• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers bringing balance and depth, use freshly ground black pepper for brightest taste..
• Tortillas: Provide delightful texture and traditional Mexican element, select corn tortillas for most authentic experience..
• Avocado: Creamy, luxurious topping offering cool contrast, choose ripe but firm avocados with minimal blemishes..
• Sour Cream: Adds rich, tangy coolness, select full-fat version for most decadent mouthfeel..
• Cheddar Cheese.

Cooking Tools for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Your primary cooking vessel for creating this delicious soup, perfect for sautéing vegetables and simmering the broth.
• Sheet Pan: Essential for roasting chicken breasts evenly and efficiently.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing vegetables, tortillas, and preparing garnishes.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise chopping of onions, celery, carrots, and garlic.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately adding spices like cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving the soup into individual bowls.
• Grater: Used to shred Cheddar cheese for topping.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide for Mexican Chicken Soup

Cozy Mexican Chicken Comfort

• Chicken Roasting Adventure

Grab your chicken breasts and transform them into a delicious flavor foundation. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and let the oven work its magic. Roast until perfectly golden and tender, then gently shred the meat into delectable pieces.

• Vegetable Symphony

In a large pot, create a sizzling base with olive oil. Dance onions, celery, and carrots together until they soften and develop a beautiful golden color. Whisper garlic into the mix for an extra burst of aroma.

• Soup Magic

Pour in chicken stock and invite crushed tomatoes to the party. Sprinkle cumin, coriander, and jalapeños for a spicy kick. Slice tortillas into playful strips and let them swim in the bubbling liquid. Allow everything to simmer and mingle, developing deep, rich flavors.

• Final Flourish

Fold the shredded chicken into the soup, letting it warm through. Taste and adjust the seasoning to make it sing with flavor.

• Soup Celebration

Serve in beautiful bowls topped with creamy avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, sprinkled cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Flavor-Boosting Tips for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Ensure juicy, flavorful chicken by using bone-in, skin-on breasts which add more depth to the soup's taste. Pat the chicken dry before roasting to help achieve crispy skin and better browning.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantities. Remove seeds for milder flavor or add extra for a spicier kick. Fresh chili peppers can replace jalapeños for more authentic Mexican flair.
• Prepare soup base and roasted chicken a day in advance to enhance flavor development. Store components separately in refrigerator, then combine when ready to serve. Soup tastes even better the next day as ingredients meld together.
• Replace chicken with black beans or roasted vegetables for a vegetarian version. Consider adding corn, zucchini, or bell peppers to boost nutritional value and create interesting texture variations.
• Experiment with toppings like pickled red onions, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or Mexican crema. Toasted pumpkin seeds can add wonderful crunch and nutty undertones to this comforting soup.

Best Ways to Serve Mexican Chicken Soup

• Garnish with Green Goodness: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and sliced green onions over each bowl for a burst of color and vibrant flavor that adds freshness to the hearty soup.
• Spice Up Your Bowl: Place a small dish of extra sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes on the side, allowing guests to customize their heat level and make the soup as mild or fiery as they prefer.
• Create a Soup and Salad Combo: Pair this Mexican chicken soup with a crisp side salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lime vinaigrette to balance the rich, warm flavors of the soup.
• Complete the Meal with Warm Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted Mexican bolillo rolls or cornbread to soak up the delicious broth and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the soup's liquid base.

How to Store or Freeze Mexican Chicken Soup

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Separate toppings like avocado and chips to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack the soup (without toppings) in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup feels too thick after refrigeration.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Roast chicken and chop vegetables the day before to streamline soup preparation. Keep ingredients separately sealed in the refrigerator for quick assembly.

Rustic Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Mexican chicken soup delivers robust Southwestern flavors in a hearty bowl packed with tender chicken, zesty spices, and fresh vegetables. Home cooks can easily prepare this comforting dish that brings warmth and soulful Mexican culinary traditions to dinner tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
• 2 cups chopped yellow onions (approx. 2 onions)
• 2 cups chopped carrots (approx. 4 carrots)
• 1 cup chopped celery (approx. 2 stalks)
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 2.5 L (84.5 fl oz) chicken stock (preferably homemade)
• 800 g (28.2 oz) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 6 fresh white corn tortillas
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 25 g to 50 g (0.9 to 1.8 oz) fresh coriander (optional), chopped
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Roasting Chicken: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Position chicken breasts on sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Roast 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). Cool slightly, discard skin and bones, then shred meat into bite-sized pieces.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots for 10 minutes until golden and tender. Add garlic, cooking briefly to release aromatic notes.
3. Liquid and Seasoning Fusion: Combine chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, jalapeños, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Slice corn tortillas into thin strips, mixing into liquid. Bring to boil, then simmer 25 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and meld.
4. Chicken Integration and Final Preparation: Incorporate shredded chicken into simmering soup, heating for 3-4 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste, ensuring balanced flavor profile.
5. Serving and Garnishing: Ladle soup into warm bowls. Top with fresh avocado slices, sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla chips for a vibrant and textural finish.

Notes

• Chicken Prep Tip: Roasting chicken with skin ensures moisture and deeper flavor, so don’t skip this step for optimal taste and tenderness.
• Vegetable Sautéing Technique: Cooking onions, celery, and carrots slowly develops a rich, sweet base that enhances the soup’s overall depth and complexity.
• Tortilla Strip Hack: Corn tortilla strips thicken the soup naturally while adding authentic Mexican texture, replacing traditional flour-based thickeners.
• Garnish Strategy: Layer fresh toppings like avocado, sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips just before serving to maintain crisp textures and vibrant temperatures.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg