Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup is warm, bold, and bursting with cozy Southwest flavor. Packed with shredded chicken, peppers, beans, spices, and a creamy finish, it’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for busy nights.
Ingredients
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14 oz canned small white beans (navy or great northern), drained and rinsed
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14 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed
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14 oz canned diced tomatoes
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2 cups chicken stock
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1 cup lite beer like Corona (or extra chicken stock)
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), chopped
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3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
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5 garlic cloves, minced
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⅓ cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
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2 tbsp cumin
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1 tbsp smoked paprika
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1 tbsp liquid smoke (optional)
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2 tsp chili powder
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2 tsp oregano
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1 tsp coriander
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2 tsp salt
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1 tsp pepper
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3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
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4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
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Toppings: cilantro, green onions, tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour crea
Instructions
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Add the onion, garlic, cilantro, bell peppers, jalapeños, white beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, beer, chicken stock, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, coriander, and liquid smoke (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir well.
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Place the chicken breasts on top and gently press them into the mixture.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 6½ hours or HIGH for 3½ hours.
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Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and set aside.
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Add the cream cheese to the slow cooker and whisk until fully melted and smooth.
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Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Let rest for 10 minutes to thicken and blend.
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Serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Swap beer for chicken broth for a kid-friendly version.
For extra heat, keep some jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of cayenne.
Leftovers thicken—add a splash of broth when reheating.
Great for meal prep and freezes well (freeze before adding cream cheese)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes (LOW) —or— 3 hours 30 minutes (HIGH)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Southwest / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 342 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 986 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg