Thereās something magical about a bowl of spicy chicken soup that hugs your soul and wakes up your taste budsāright? š„£ Imagine tender shreds of chicken swimming in a smoky chipotle broth, zipped up with fresh lime juice, and finished with creamy avocado slices. This is the Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup recipe Iāve tweaked to perfection after burning one too many pots (weāve all been there!).
Hereās the twist: smoked chipotle peppers add a deep, fiery warmth, while a splash of lime brightens every spoonfulālike sunshine breaking through clouds! Did you know 73% of home cooks say spicy soups are their go-to for beating the ādinner rutā? This oneās a weeknight hero: ready in 30 minutes, packed with immune-boosting garlic and cumin, and forgiving enough to riff on (Iāve tossed in black beans or quinoa when my pantry felt lonely).

Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken breast cut in half if thick
- 6 cups Chicken broth
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- 2-3 Garlic cloves minced
- 1- inch piece of Ginger grated or minced
- 2 Medium carrots finely chopped
- 2-4 Celery stalks chopped
- 1 tbsp Chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 Sprigs Fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp Chili paste optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ā½ cup Frozen peas
- Juice of 1 Lemon
Instructions
SautƩ Aromatics:
- ā Heat oil in a pot and sautĆ© chopped onions, garlic, and ginger until soft. Add optional chili paste.
Add Vegetables & Spices:
- ā Stir in chopped carrots, celery, fresh thyme, chipotle in adobo, cumin, and paprika. Cook for 2 minutes.
Simmer the Chicken:
- ā Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Place whole chicken breasts in the broth, season with salt and pepper, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Shred the Chicken & Finish the Soup:
- ā Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot along with frozen peas. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
Final Touch & Serve:
- ā Turn off the heat, squeeze in fresh lemon juice, and serve with cilantro, avocado, and lime wedges.
Table of Contents
š„ Instructions: One-Pot Spicy Perfection
Step 1: SautƩ Aromatics
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger.
- SautƩ until the onion becomes soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- If using chili paste, stir it in and combine well.

Step 2: Add Vegetables & Spices
- Add chopped carrots, celery, fresh thyme, chipotle in adobo (how to make homemade adobo sauce), cumin, and paprika.
- Stir well and cook for 2 minutes to enhance flavors.

Step 3: Simmer the chicken
- Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth (homemade chicken broth recipe) and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, carefully add the whole chicken breasts (cut in half if thick).

- Season with salt and pepper, then cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken & Finish the Soup
- Remove the cooked chicken breasts and transfer them to a cutting board.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

- Add the shredded chicken and frozen peas back into the soup.
- Stir and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 5: Final Touch & Serve
- Turn off the heat and squeeze in the juice of one lemon.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and avocado slices.

š¶ļø Pro Tips and Variations: Make This Spicy Chicken Soup Uniquely Yours š¶ļø
Letās face it: recipes are just guidelinesāyour kitchen, your rules! Hereās how to tweak this Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup to match your mood, diet, or pantryās quirks.
Heat Hacks: Dial It Up or Down
- Too spicy? Remove the chipotle seeds pre-chopping, or swap in smoked paprika for milder smokiness.
- Crave more fire? Add a dash of cayenne or a diced jalapeƱo with the onions.
Dietary Swaps: No FOMO Here
- Vegetarian twist: Skip the chicken, double the black beans, and use veggie broth. Add diced sweet potatoes for heartiness!
- Dairy-free? Coconut milk (1/4 cup stirred in at the end) adds creamy richness without the cream.
Pantry Raid Variations
- Got quinoa or rice? Stir in cooked grains for a hearty, protein-packed bowl.
- Veggie boost: Toss in spinach, zucchini, or corn during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
Pro Tip: Short on time? Use pre-shredded rotisserie chicken! Skip the searing step and add it straight to the broth.
Leftover Love
- Next-day nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a sheet pan, top with soup leftovers and cheese, broilāboom, spicy nachos!
- Soup ā salsa verde upgrade: Puree leftovers with extra cilantro and lime for a killer taco sauce.
š² Serving Suggestions: Turn Your Bowl into a Fiesta! š
Letās be honest: presentation is half the fun! Hereās how to turn this Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup into a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
Garnish Game Strong
- Crunchy Crown: Pile on crispy tortilla strips or crushed plantain chips for that shhhrunch factor.
- Creamy Contrast: Dollop Greek yogurt or avocado crema (blend avocado + lime + cilantro!) for cool relief.
- Fresh & Zesty: A shower of chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and thinly sliced radishes adds vibrancy.
Pairing Perfection
- Sidekick Salads: Serve with a simple cucumber-jicama slaw or charred corn salad. Pro tip: A drizzle of lime honey dressing ties it all together.
- Bread Buddies: Warm flour tortillas, crusty sourdough, or cheesy jalapeƱo cornbread for dunking.
Texture Play
- Cheesy Bliss: Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese for salty richness.
- Heat Hack: Float a few pickled jalapeƱo slices on topātangy, spicy, perfect.
Make It a Meal
- Protein Boost: Add a poached egg or grilled shrimp skewers for extra oomph.
- Taco Night Upgrade: Use the soup as a broth for DIY street tacosājust add tortillas and toppings!
š² Serving Suggestions: Turn Your Bowl into a Fiesta! š
Letās be honest: presentation is half the fun! Hereās how to turn this Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup into a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
Garnish Game Strong
- Crunchy Crown: Pile on crispy tortilla strips or crushed plantain chips for that shhhrunch factor.
- Creamy Contrast: Dollop Greek yogurt or avocado crema (blend avocado + lime + cilantro!) for cool relief.
- Fresh & Zesty: A shower of chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and thinly sliced radishes adds vibrancy.
Pairing Perfection
- Sidekick Salads: Serve with a simple cucumber-jicama slaw or charred corn salad. Pro tip: A drizzle of lime honey dressing ties it all together.
- Bread Buddies: Warm flour tortillas, crusty sourdough, or cheesy jalapeƱo cornbread for dunking.
Texture Play
- Cheesy Bliss: Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese for salty richness.
- Heat Hack: Float a few pickled jalapeƱo slices on topātangy, spicy, perfect.
āPair this spicy soup with a bowl of hearty Swap Soup for a cozy āsoup duoā night!ā
Make It a Meal
- Protein Boost: Add a poached egg or grilled shrimp skewers for extra oomph.
- Taco Night Upgrade: Use the soup as a broth for DIY street tacosājust add tortillas and toppings!
Why This Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe Will Steal Your Heart (And Your Weeknights!)
Letās be realāthis Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup isnāt just a recipe; itās a kitchen sidekick. Whether youāre battling a hectic schedule, craving comfort with a kick, or feeding a crowd that canāt agree on spice levels (weāve all got that one friend), this chicken soup spicy bends to your whims like a culinary superhero.
Hereās the magic:
- Versatility winsāswap proteins, tweak heat, or raid your fridge for veggie scraps.
- Comfort with benefitsābold flavors, cozy vibes, and a nutrient-packed bowl thatās anything but boring.
- Meal prep gloryābecause future-you deserve a freezer stocked with instant joy.
Iāll never forget the first time I served this to my spice-averse sisterāshe devoured two bowls and begged for the recipe. Thatās the power of balance: smoky, bright, hearty, and just enough heat to keep things exciting.
Your next move?
- Tag me when you make itāI live for those steamy bowl pics! šø
- Bookmark this page for winter flu season (or summer AC cravingsāno judgment).
- Share the love: Double the batch and drop some off for a neighbor. Spicy soups = edible hugs.
Hungry for more? Try adding roasted poblano peppers next time or swap lime for orange zest in fall. The possibilities? Endless. Now go forth, simmer boldly, and let those tortilla strips crunch like a standing ovation. š
Q: How spicy is this soupĀ really?
A: The heat levels totally customizable! Start withĀ 1 chipotle pepperĀ (seeds removed) for a gentle kick or go wild with 2-3 for a fiery bowl. Still too much? Stir in a spoonful of honey or coconut milk to mellow it out.
Q: Help! My broth is too thin. How do I fix it?
A: Simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes to reduce. For instant thickness, mash a few black beans against the pot or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp starch + 1 tbsp water).
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes! Thaw it first, or add frozen chicken straight to the brothājust extend simmering time by 10-15 minutes.
Q: What Are Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce?
A: These little flavor bombs areĀ smoked, dried jalapeƱosĀ rehydrated and canned in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce (adobo = vinegar, tomato, garlic, and spices). They add aĀ deep smoky heatĀ and umami richness you canāt replicate with regular chili powder. Find them in the Mexican aisle or canned goods section!
Q: What chicken soup spices are essential for this recipe?
A: The trifecta isĀ cumin, chipotle peppers, and garlic! Cumin adds earthy warmth, chipotle brings smoky heat, and garlic layers savory depth.
Q: Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
A: Absolutely! This spicy chicken soup tastes even better on day two. Store itĀ without garnishesĀ in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for 3 monthsāthaw overnight, then reheat gently on the stove.
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