How to Make Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe At Home
Chili’s Grill & Bar, more often known just as “Chili’s,” is an American restaurant known for its casual dining establishments. The founder of Chili’s was Larry Lavine, who opened his first location in what was once a post office on Greenville Avenue in Dallas, Texas, in 1975.
Conceptually, Larry Lavine designed Chili’s Grill & Bar to be a full-service, affordable dining establishment serving a variety of delicious hamburgers, American food, and Tex-Mex-inspired cuisine. The Chili’s restaurant brand became so successful that in less than a decade, there were more than two dozen Chili’s locations across the greater Dallas region – all sporting a motif inspired by the American Southwest.
The Chili’s Grill & Bar chain of restaurants was sold by Larry Lavine after only a few years of ownership and growth. The chain of restaurants is still owned and operated by the Brinker Group, a holding company owned that also owns Bennigan’s – another chain of American-style restaurants.
In addition to delectable hamburger options, Chili’s offers shrimp tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, and one of the most popular – Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup.
How to Make Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe At Home
Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup recipe, when crafted like the original, is among the most delicious soups that eat like a meal. It is also essentially made in one pot, so the cleanup is fast as well.
- Preparation Time – 15 minutes.
- Cooking Time – 40 minutes.
- Total Prep & Cook Time – 55 minutes.
- Serves – 6.
The List of Ingredients For Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe
This Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup recipe is chock full of Mexican flavors, including Chili Powder, Adobo Sauce, and Green Chilis, to name a few.
- 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil – a better quality of the oil is suggested.
- 1 Onion – Diced.
- 1 Stalk Celery – Diced.
- 2 Cloves of Garlic – Minced.
- 2 Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce – Seeded and Minced.
Pro-tip – Chipotle Chiles are actually dried and smoked jalapeño peppers. Adobo is a type of red sauce that is slightly sweet and tangy. When combined, these two ingredients create an irresistible combination. - 1 Teaspoon of Chili Powder.
Pro-tip – For the more daring, feel free to adjust the chili powder to suit your taste and tolerance to spicey heat. Note, however, the recommended tablespoon adds a subtle amount of heat without overpowering the soup’s flavor. - 1 Teaspoon of Cumin.
- 1 Teaspoon of Lime Juice.
- ½ Teaspoon of Salt.
- 4 Cups of Chicken Stock.
- 1 28 Oz.-Can of Diced Tomatoes.
- 3 Cups of Chopped or Shredded Chicken Breast.
- 1 Cup of Corn or Hominy.
Pro-tip -Hominy is sourced from yellow or white maize, which is also known as field corn. Cooked hominy kernels end up being about three times the size of the kernels of raw sweet corn. Hominy is generally used in making cornmeal, cornflakes, and other grain products. It differs from sweet corn, which is typically eaten on the cob dripping in butter. - 1 4 Oz. Can of Chopped Green Chilies.
Cooking Directions For Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe
The chicken soup recipe with a Southwest flare is really just a one-pot dinner that uses big flavors like cumin and green chiles to create a rich, tomato-based broth loaded with tender chicken and hominy or cord.
- Heat the two tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
- Then add the diced onion and celery. Cook over medium heat for three to four minutes – stirring frequently. The onions should become translucent at this point in the process.
- Add the minced garlic, chipotle peppers, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the onion and celery mixture.
- Cook these Mexican spices and other ingredients for one to two minutes to allow the flavors to release and meld.
- Add the four cups of chicken stock, diced tomatoes, chicken breast, corn, and green chilis, and allow this soup base to come to a light boil. Stir for a minute or so.
- Cover and reduce heat.
- Simmer for an additional 15 – 20 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Cooking Tips for Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe
This type of soup requires some time to simmer, which is when the flavors of the southwest chicken soup fully develop. So, it is best to wait until the soup is almost finished cooking before adjusting the seasonings.
Optional Toppings for Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe
Although this southwestern-stylized chicken soup is delicious on its own, you can always raise the flavor volume by adding these toppings –
- Slices or Wedges of Lime.
- Tortilla Strips.
- Avocado Slices.
- Shredded Pepper Jack or Cheddar Cheese.
- Chopped Cilantro, etc.
FAQS
What Side Dishes Go Well with Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe?
This delicious and heavenly chicken soup recipe from Chili’s goes great with these sides –
- Mexican Cornbread
- A Fresh Side Salad with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.
- A Southern Squash or Garlic Parmesan Green Bean Casserole.
- Green Chile Cheddar Mashed Potatoes.
- Baked Potatoes Loaded with Your Favorite Toppings.
- Roasted Vegetables with a Mexican Flair.
- A Corn Casserole.
How to Store the Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup?
This chicken soup can be kept fresh for up to four days if stored correctly in an airtight container. To reheat, you can use the microwave or warm it up in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Can you Freeze Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup?
Chili’s southwest chicken soup recipe can be stored and kept fresh for up to four months. Be sure to store the soup (once you have allowed it cool to room temperature) in an airtight freezer container or use a freezer bag. It is best to thaw the chicken soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave oven.
How Many Calories Are in a Serving of Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup?
In a delicious and comforting bowl of this chicken soup from Chili’s, there are 253 calories. Additionally, the soup provides Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron. There are 22 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber in a serving. The fat content, which includes mostly healthier types of fats, is relatively low for a soup that offers such richness.
