Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken (Print)

Creamy, spicy chicken soup with cheddar, cream cheese, and fresh jalapeños for cozy dinners.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large jalapeños, seeds removed and diced

→ Protein

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Broth & Dairy

06 - 4 cups chicken broth
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings & Garnish

13 - ½ cup crumbled bacon, optional
14 - Fresh cilantro for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for approximately 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced jalapeños, cooking for 2 additional minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
04 - Remove the chicken from the pot using tongs. Shred it with two forks and return it to the broth.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
06 - Add softened cream cheese to the pot, stirring continuously until fully melted and incorporated into the broth.
07 - Mix in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and the soup achieves a creamy consistency. Stir in crumbled bacon if using.
08 - Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The heat builds gently instead of hitting you all at once, so even cautious eaters can find their perfect spice level.
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day when all those flavors have gotten cozy with each other.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese before adding it; cold chunks resist melting and create an annoying texture instead of that dreamy smoothness.
  • The jalapeño seeds are where most of the heat lives—removing them keeps the soup approachable, but taste as you go because everyone's spice tolerance is different.
  • Gentle reheating is essential if you make this ahead; high heat can break the cream and make it grainy, so use medium-low heat and a splash of broth if needed.
03 -
  • Fresh cilantro makes an enormous difference at the end—dried won't give you that bright, fresh finish that people remember.
  • If you're cooking for someone with a milder palate, serve the jalapeños on the side so they can control their own spice adventure.
  • Quality cheddar cheese matters here; sharper varieties add more character and depth than milder ones.
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