Name: Fiesta Chicken Corn Chowder: A Comforting, Flavorful Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-487549H21M21S
Total time: 40 min
Yield: undefined
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 large onion, diced; 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced; 1 pound chicken breasts, chopped or 2 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1/4 cup flour; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 (14.75 oz) cans cream-style corn; 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups fresh or frozen corn); 1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained; 1 (4 oz) can mild diced green chilies; 4 oz block cream cheese, very soft; 1/2 cup each shredded sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese; Hot sauce to taste (optional); **Garnishes (optional):** Sour cream, Extra cheese, Cilantro, Avocados, Fresh tomatoes, Tortilla chips

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This Fiesta Chicken Corn Chowder is a hearty, creamy, and spicy soup that brings the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine into a cozy bowl. With tender chicken, sweet corn, spicy jalapeños, and creamy cheeses, it’s a delicious, comforting dish perfect for any occasion. Topped with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro, it’s an irresistible meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty and creamy: The combination of chicken, corn, and creamy cheeses creates a satisfying, rich soup.
Packed with flavor: With spices like cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and jalapeños, every spoonful is bursting with flavor.
Customizable heat: Adjust the level of spiciness with hot sauce and jalapeños to suit your taste.
Perfect for meal prep: This soup stores well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 pound chicken breasts, chopped or 2 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup flour
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 (14.75 oz) cans cream-style corn
1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups fresh or frozen corn)
1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
1 (4 oz) can mild diced green chilies
4 oz block cream cheese, very soft
1/2 cup each shredded sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese
Hot sauce to taste (optional)

Garnishes (optional):

Sour cream
Extra cheese
Cilantro
Avocados
Fresh tomatoes
Tortilla chips

Instructions

Sauté the chicken and veggies:
In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, melt the butter in the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken, diced onion, minced jalapeño, cumin, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are soft.
Add the vegetables and flour:
Stir in the chopped red bell pepper, minced garlic, and flour. Cook while stirring for about 2 minutes, allowing the flour to coat the ingredients.
Add the broth:
Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in 3 cups of chicken broth, whisking to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth with the cornstarch. Add this mixture to the pot and stir to thicken.
Add the corn and tomatoes:
Stir in the cream-style corn, sweet corn, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using rotisserie chicken, add it at this point.
Add the cream cheese and cheese:
Lower the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until each handful is melted before adding more.
Season and serve:
Taste the soup and adjust with more salt, pepper, or hot sauce if desired. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of sour cream, extra cheese, cilantro, avocado, fresh tomatoes, and tortilla chips.

Servings and Timing:

Servings: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Storage:

Refrigeration: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup will thicken as it sits, so feel free to add a little more broth or water when reheating.
Freezing: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Variations:

Spicy version: For extra heat, add more jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Vegetarian version: Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth for a hearty vegetarian soup. You can add extra beans or vegetables for added texture.
Slow cooker: To make this in a slow cooker, sauté the chicken and vegetables first, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before adding it to the soup, and increase the cooking time slightly if using frozen chicken.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer.

How do I make this soup thicker?
If you prefer a thicker soup, add a little more cornstarch mixed with water or broth, or let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid.

Conclusion

Fiesta Chicken Corn Chowder is a delicious, creamy, and satisfying soup that brings all the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine into one bowl. With the richness of cream cheese, the sharpness of cheddar, and the spice of jalapeños, this soup is sure to warm you up on a chilly day. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect addition to your recipe collection!