Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish loaded with tender chicken, mixed vegetables, and bold Cajun spices, all enveloped in a rich and creamy broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup balances spice and creaminess with wholesome ingredients for a comforting and satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 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)
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
Creamy Ingredients
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the olive oil or butter and sauté the garlic, onion, celery, bell pepper, and carrots for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables become tender.
- Add chicken and spices: Add the chicken breasts to the pot. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and hot sauce. Add the drained fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the soup cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breast from the pot and shred it using two forks or chop finely on a cutting board.
- Add cream and cheese: While the chicken is shredded, whisk together the heavy cream and softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Stir the creamy mixture back into the pot along with the shredded chicken. Mix well, heat through, and serve immediately. Optionally, top with green onions, sharp cheddar cheese, and extra hot sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Use fire roasted tomatoes for a smoky depth of flavor; regular diced tomatoes can be substituted if needed.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce used.
- For a lower fat version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Top with fresh green onions and shredded sharp cheddar cheese for extra texture and taste.
- Serve with crusty bread or a simple side salad to make a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.25 cups
- Calories: 238 kcal
- Sugar: 6.5 g
- Sodium: 401 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.8 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Protein: 21.7 g
- Cholesterol: 74.8 mg
