Description
Mexican chicken soup blends comforting flavors with zesty spices, creating a hearty meal that warms from within. Cilantro, lime, and tender chicken pieces combine in a rich broth that promises delicious comfort for anyone craving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Broth and Seasonings:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup (85 grams) egg noodles (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, introducing diced aromatics (onion, carrots, celery) and gently caramelize for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic and allow to release its fragrant essence for an additional 60 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Stream chicken broth into the pot, introducing bay leaf and thyme for enhanced depth of flavor. Elevate heat and encourage liquid to reach a vigorous boiling point.
- Fold tender shredded chicken into the bubbling liquid, immediately reducing thermal intensity to a gentle simmer. Allow ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors for 20 minutes.
- When desiring noodle inclusion, introduce egg noodles during the final 10 minutes of cooking, ensuring they become perfectly tender without disintegrating.
- Carefully adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper, balancing flavors to personal preference. Extract and discard aromatic bay leaf.
- Transfer piping hot soup into serving vessels, adorning with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Serve immediately for optimal gustatory experience.
Notes
- Swap regular chicken for rotisserie chicken to boost flavor complexity and save cooking time.
- Use gluten-free egg noodles or replace noodles with quinoa for a low-carb, celiac-friendly version.
- Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
- Prepare the soup ahead and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg