Mexican Chicken Soup

A delicious and healthy Mexican Chicken Soup made all in one pot, in 45 minutes and with a list of humble ingredients. This Mexican chicken tomato soup features a flavorful broth, juicy and tender shredded chicken thighs, and a combination of tomatoes, jalapeños and onion. Finish with salty Cotija and creamy avocado for an easy all-in-one meal.

Easy Mexican Chicken Soup

First and foremost, this Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe is part of my SOUP-er Simple Series! This means it has a short ingredient list, quick cook time, and loads of flavor. One way I keep the ingredient list short it by skipping store-bought stock or broth and employing the soup ingredients to build flavor and infuse a delicious broth. 

The first step in building flavor for this Mexican Chicken Soup is browning the chicken thighs. The browning of the skin creates flavor while the drippings are used to cook the onion, jalapeño, garlic and oregano. 

I’ve tested this Mexican Chicken Soup recipe using chicken breasts and thighs and I must say, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs are ideal. Chicken thighs stay moist and flavorful throughout the searing and poaching—the same cannot be said for chicken breast.

Mexican Chicken Soup Ingredients

When counting ingredients I do not include salt, pepper and oil. You will need all of those for this Mexican Chicken Soup recipe.

• Chicken thighs, you’ll want to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture. 
• White onion, you can also use yellow 
• Jalapeño, use one large or two small. Feel free to remove the ribs and seeds if you want the soup to be more mild. 
• Garlic, fresh is always best!
• Oregano, I recommend using fresh for the best flavor. If you’d rather use dried for convenience you certainly can.
• Canned diced tomatoes, make sure you add the tomatoes and their juices! The juices will add to the broth.
• Cilantro, fresh cilantro adds a ton of flavor and brightness. You’ll need about 1 small bunch of cilantro.
• Optional toppings, avocado, Cotija (salty Mexican cheese), fresh lime.

How to Make Mexican Chicken Soup

The full Mexican Chicken Soup recipe is below, but here’s a quick rundown of what to expect!

1. Brown the chicken thighs in a splash of oil. Start skin side down then flip and cook briefly before transferring chicken to a plate to rest.
2. Add the onion to reserved chicken drippings in pot, cover and cook until softened. 
3. Stir in jalapeño, garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant. 
4. Add water, tomatoes and chicken back to pot; simmer until chicken is cooked through. 
5. Remove chicken and let rest until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard chicken skin and bones, then shred meat and add back to pot with cilantro.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then serve with diced avocado, Cotija and fresh lime juice.

How to Make Mexican Chicken Soup in a Slow Cooker

1. In a large skillet, brown the chicken thighs in a splash of oil. Start skin side down then flip and cook briefly before transferring chicken to a plate to rest.
2. Add the onion to the reserved chicken drippings in the skillet, cover and cook until softened. Then stir in the jalapeño, garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant. 
3. Transfer the cooked onions mixture and chicken thighs to a slow cooker. Add the water and tomatoes and cook, covered, on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. When ready to serve, remove chicken thighs and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skin, then shred the meat. Discard the bones.
5. Stir the shredded chicken and cilantro into the soup; season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toppings for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Cotija or crumbled feta
• Diced avocado
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Mexican crema
• Fresh or charred corn

Serving Suggestions

Healthy Baking

Healthy Skillet Cornbread

Baking

Moist Gluten-Free Cornbread with Honey

Baking

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Side Salad

Savory Citrus Salad with Peanuts

• There’s just something about a hunk of Healthy Cornbread with a bowl of soup. And if you need it, we’ve got a Gluten-Free Cornbread too!
• If you’re looking for a dinner roll, try our Sweet Potato Rolls or Kaiser Rolls. Both are the perfect thing to soak up the savory broth with!
• We love a citrus side salad with soup and our Savory Citrus Salad is one that will surprise you! Give it a try and let us know what you think.

More Easy Chicken Soup Recipes

Mexican-Inspired

Chicken Pozole Verde

Soups, Stews & Chilis

Sopa de Pollo con Fideo

Soups, Stews & Chilis

Healthy Aromatic Chicken Rice Soup

Soups, Stews & Chilis

Quick Curried Chicken Lentil Soup

• Love a classic chicken noodle soup? Try our quick Ground Chicken Noodle Soup—it’s a fun take on the classic dinner!
• We’ve got another Mexican-inspired chicken soup that you’ve gotta try! Our Sopa de Pollo con Fideo is an absolute delight. It’s simple and easy but has quit the depth of flavor. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
• Make use of shredded rotisserie chicken in a quick Curried Chicken Lentil Soup. It’s the epitome of a convenient weeknight meal—but it’s also packin’ tons of flavor!
• There are few things better than homemade pozole. And this Pozole Verde may be one of the best chicken soups you can make. It’s thick and luscious, features tender hominy and tender shredded chicken.
• Need a reset or looking for something to soothe the stomach? Our Healthy Chicken Rice Soup is light, aromatic and the perfect dead-of-winter meal.

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