Description
This creamy Cajun chicken soup is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast, fire roasted tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables simmered with Cajun seasoning and finished with a rich blend of cream cheese and heavy cream. Perfect for a comforting meal with a spicy kick and creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped (any color or a mix)
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 (14 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Sauté: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil or butter, then add minced garlic, chopped onion, celery, bell pepper, and carrots. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables become tender and aromatic.
- Add Chicken and Seasoning: Place the chicken breasts into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning and hot sauce over the chicken. Add the drained fire roasted tomatoes and pour in the chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are combined.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken finely.
- Add Cream and Cheese: While shredding the chicken, whisk together the heavy cream and softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and well combined. Stir this creamy mixture back into the soup in the pot.
- Finish and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir to incorporate everything evenly, and heat through briefly if needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally topped with green onions, sharp cheddar cheese, and extra hot sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute butter for olive oil or vice versa depending on your preference.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spice level.
- Fire roasted tomatoes add depth but regular canned tomatoes can be used as a substitute.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or add a bit more cream cheese.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
