High-Protein Chicken Taco Soup (Print View)

Hearty soup featuring lean chicken, beans, and a medley of fresh vegetables with bold taco spices.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), diced
02 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
08 - 1 medium red onion, diced
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
11 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Liquids

12 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

14 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes

17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Avocado slices
19 - Lime wedges
20 - Shredded cheese or Greek yogurt (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
03 - Stir in bell peppers, zucchini, and jalapeño; cook for another 3 minutes.
04 - Add taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to coat the chicken and vegetables.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, black beans, kidney beans, and corn. Mix well.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, and cheese or Greek yogurt if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Packed with 34 grams of protein per bowl, it actually keeps you full instead of leaving you hungry an hour later.
  • The flavor is bold and exciting without any complicated techniques or fancy equipment.
  • You can throw it together in under an hour, and most of that time is just simmering while you do other things.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans; that starchy liquid will make your soup cloudy and starchy-tasting instead of bright and clean.
  • The smoked paprika is not just decoration; it's what makes this soup taste like there's some depth and complexity, even though it's incredibly simple.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for people with different spice tolerances, serve the jalapeño on the side and let them add as much heat as they want; nobody fights about food when they have control over the spice level.
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice into each bowl right before eating; it's the difference between good soup and soup that tastes like a flavor explosion.
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