Mexican Chicken Soup (Phase 1)

  • Here's a great recipe from the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. It's also great for the cold weather and staving off colds and the flu. Enjoy...

    Mexican Chicken Soup

    Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes

    Some soups make a meal, and this one certainly qualifies! Substitute shrimp for the chicken when you want to try something different; just add the shrimp when you add the salsa and simmer for 1 minute. Cilantro leaves can chip up some of the fresh herb and use it for sprinkling if desired.

    1 tablespoon canola oil
    1 small onion, chopped
    1 jalapeno pepper, diced
    2 garlic cloves, minced
    2 teaspoons ground cumin
    5 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
    1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips
    2 cups mild refrigerated fresh salsa
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno; cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cumin; cook 30 seconds more.

    Add broth, increase heat to high, and bring to a rapid simmer. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Stir in slsa, bring back to a simmer, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.

    Makes 4 (2-1/4 cup) servings

    Nutrition at a Glance
    Per Serving: 320 calories, 8g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 46g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 2g dietray fiber, 680mg sodium


  • Could beans be added to this to thicken it up?
  • I love this soup, I have added black beans and also pinto beans sometimes. Very filling!
  • Meelsie, you could mash some beans or put beans in a blender with some of the broth from the soup and whirl until pureed. Either way, it would help thicken up the soup.
  • MMM I love black beans in soup. Will definitely be giving this one a try once it starts to get cooler!