Description
This creamy Cajun chicken soup is a comforting, hearty dish with a spicy kick, featuring tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a velvety swirl of cream. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for cozy nights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese (cubed and softened)
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
- Optional: squeeze of lemon juice
- Optional: dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Dice the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Mince the garlic. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cube and soften the cream cheese. Measure out all spices and liquids.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until softened and just starting to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken pieces, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring often, until chicken turns opaque on all sides, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, skimming off any foam if needed.
- Optional: For extra creaminess, blend about 2 cups of the soup (with veggies) in a blender until smooth, then return to the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.
- Add heavy cream, cubed cream cheese, and corn. Stir until cream cheese is fully melted and soup is silky smooth. Do not let it boil.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add lemon juice or hot sauce if desired. If soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or milk.
- Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread or over rice if desired.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, double-check your Cajun seasoning and chicken broth labels. To make it dairy-free, use coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese. Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of Cajun seasoning or adding hot sauce. Blending part of the soup gives it extra creaminess without more fat. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: cajun chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, spicy chicken soup, weeknight dinner, gluten-free soup, cajun recipe, chicken soup with cream, hearty soup