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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Nov 29, 2010 · Modified: Oct 16, 2020 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 22 Comments

    Chicken Jalapeno Soup with Garlic Croutons

    There's something about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove that makes me feel totally at home. My favorite soups are the ones that take hours to cook, that quietly permeate my apartment with their warm savory scents. I'm actually looking forward to a nice cold winter here in Boston, so I can do my freelance work in the living room, while taking breaks dancing to the kitchen to stir a big pot of soup.

    But let's be clear on something. I don't like wimpy soups. My soups need to have serious substance to them. But I also need to face the fact that I can probably use something a bit lighter after this past weekend that was Thanksgiving. Let's just say I still have not stopped eating bowls full of stuffing and gravy and plates covered in apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake since Thursday. So yes, my body is seriously welcoming soup. Especially since this one packs in TONS of flavor, in the form of jalapenos (both fresh and pickled). There's nothing worse than a bland, tasteless soup, and this is anything but. And you can totally control the level of spiciness, depending on how much jalapeno and juice you add in. I like a lot.

    BUT I obviously had to add some homemade croutons to this healthy soup. Because soup isn't really a meal until you add some carbohydrates, whether it be buttered bread, croutons, or cornbread. Am I right or am I right? The croutons really do add a perfect touch to the soup, so I highly encourage you to make them. I got the soup and crouton recipe from No Tea After 12, an absolutely delightful blog I just discovered. I made a bunch of alterations, but LOVED the basic idea of chicken soup with jalapeno and croutons.

    Yes, this soup requires a couple hours of cooking (plus bean soaking), but it's really worth it. Especially when you realize you have soup for a week, plus plenty in your freezer for later in the winter when you're way too lazy to cook.

    Chicken Jalapeno Soup:

    • 1 lb. dried great northern beans (or navy or cannellini)
    • 3 large chicken breasts
    • 6 cloves garlic, (3 whole, 2 minced)
    • 2 T olive oil
    • 1 large onion, diced
    • 2 large carrots, diced
    • 3 stalks celery, diced
    • 2 jalapeno peppers, diced (leave seeds in for extra spice)
    • â…“ C pickled jalapenos, diced (plus some juice)
    • 32 oz. low-sodium chicken stock
    • 2 T Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 t dried cumin
    • 2 t dried oregano
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 4 T fresh parsley, chopped

    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Before I went to bed the night before I wanted to make my soup, I started soaking my beans.

    IMG_0907

    Put them in a large bowl covered with about 3 inches of water. Leave them there overnight and they will expand.

    IMG_0908

    And the next day, gather the rest of your ingredients together.

    IMG_0926

    If you want to make the garlic croutons, too (and you really should), you can start making them while you're making the soup.

    Garlic Croutons:

    • 3 C day old bread (I used a french baguette)
    • 1 whole head of garlic
    • ¼ C + 1 T olive oil
    • 3 T unsalted butter
    • Salt  

    IMG_0931

    First things first, drain the beans and put them in a large pot. Cover them with water. Peel 3 cloves of garlic and put them in the pot, too.

    Bring the beans to a boil, slowly. And when they've reached a rolling boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer until the beans are tender. This could take anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half. Mine were tender after an hour.


    IMG_0925

    Once the beans are just cooked, remove the garlic cloves and drain the beans.

    IMG_0944

    You'll want to rinse the pot you used, so you can continue using it.

    Now is a good time to start poaching your chicken, too.

    Put the chicken breasts in cold water in a medium saucepan. Bring the water to a boil and let boil for about 2 minutes uncovered. Then put the lid on and turn off the heat. You can let them continue poaching like this.

    IMG_0942

    Now you should get started on the croutons if you're planning on making those. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel away the outer layers of the garlic skin, leaving the individual cloves still in tact. Then cut off about ½ inch from the top of the cloves, to expose the individual cloves.

    IMG_0938

    Put the garlic bulb in a bowl and drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over it.

    IMG_0940

    Then wrap the garlic in foil and stick it in the oven for about 45 minutes-an hour, until golden brown and squishy. Take the garlic out and turn the oven down to 350 degrees.

    IMG_0966

    While the garlic is cooking, you'll want to get chopping all those veggies!

    IMG_0949

    Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the pot and soften the onion, celery, and carrots for about 10 minutes.

    IMG_0954

    Add the minced garlic, fresh jalapenos, pickled jalapenos. I used about â…“ C of pickled jalapenos, but add more if you want even more heat, or less if you don't.

    IMG_0958

    Add the dried spices, too.

    IMG_0960

    Add the drained beans to the pot and pour in the chicken stock. Add in the worcestershire sauce and jalapeno juice (if you want). Bring the soup to a boil and then let simmer for about an hour, until the vegetables are tender.

    IMG_0963

    While the soup is cooking, you can take the chicken out of its pot and shred it.

    IMG_0984

    You'll want to add the chicken to the soup during the last ten minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper.

    IMG_1022

    And, of course, while the soup is cooking, finish your croutons. Heat ¼ C olive oil and 3 T butter over medium heat. While it's heating, rip the bread into bite-sized, crouton-like pieces.

    IMG_0964

    Now for the fun part! Squeeze all the roasted garlic into the pan and squash it down with the back of a spatula or spoon. When it's heated through, turn the heat up to high and get the oil really hot without burning the garlic.

    IMG_0968

    Then put the bread into the pan and let it soak up the garlic oil/butter. Continue stirring the bread for about a minute, to let it toast.

    IMG_0970

    Then put it into a baking tray.

    IMG_0972

    Pop it into the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until deeply golden brown. Your kitchen will smell like heaven and you will NOT be able to resist eating one of these the second they come out of the oven. Just try.

    IMG_0990

    Serve up a nice big bowl of the soup, with some parsley on top. And plenty o' croutons.

    IMG_1034

    This soup is absolutely perfect for the week after Thanksgiving because a) it doesn't involve turkey b) it's pretty light and healthy, and c) it's getting pretty darn cold up in these parts.

    But also, if you do happen to have plenty of Thanksgiving leftovers, you can use turkey in place of the chicken in this soup.

    IMG_1035

    And if you are still in major pig-out mode, you can just sit on your couch with a bowl of the croutons and snack on those. Much like I've been doing with stuffing and gravy the past couple days. Has anyone ever tried adding croutons to stuffing? Because that could really be worth something.

    IMG_1039

    I loved the spicy kick of this soup and happily slurped up all my leftover broth. But there was also more than enough sustenance to the soup. It was chock full of chicken, beans, and veggies. Perfect all around.

    IMG_1042

    Sadly, Thanksgiving can't be every single day of the year. But this soup is making things a little bit better for me!

    What are you eating this week after Thanksgiving?

    [Sues]

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 5 Star Foodie says

      November 29, 2010 at 11:33 am

      What a delicious hearty soup! I love the jalapeno here and the garlic croutons, yum!

    2. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says

      November 29, 2010 at 11:42 am

      You had me at the chopped veggie pictures =) *swoon!*

    3. Victoria says

      November 29, 2010 at 12:14 pm

      This looks simple and comforting, with great flavor from the jalapeno too. Also I love croutons of any kind on just about anything, and soup is definitely a great place for them!

    4. Daisy says

      November 29, 2010 at 12:34 pm

      who likes a wimpy soup?! not me! this looks so good. you are a talented veggie chopper - that is a lot of veggies!

    5. Erica says

      November 29, 2010 at 1:14 pm

      Yum Yum! So with you! Winter/fall=soups! And I like a thick soup with some kick! So this sounds perfect to me. The garlic croutons are the perfect touch

    6. Fun and Fearless in Beantown says

      November 29, 2010 at 1:15 pm

      This soup looks great! I love having a big pot of soup simmering on the stove or in the slow cooker on a cold Sunday!

    7. Kelly says

      November 29, 2010 at 1:19 pm

      I agree iwth Jenn, that chopped veggie photo is so beautiful. I love how simple ingredients can be so gorgeous. This sounds perfect with the kick of heat, what a great take on chicken soup.

    8. Jess says

      November 29, 2010 at 1:49 pm

      Garlic croutons really add a great dimension to soups like this! Yum!

    9. Alicia says

      November 29, 2010 at 1:57 pm

      Mmmmm those croutons look great.....I'm eating from my freezer for the next week until I move! I don't want to move 10 lbs of frozen chicken!

    10. Monique says

      November 29, 2010 at 2:57 pm

      Diva, can i just say that I am still over poultry since Tday but that this might bring me out of my poultry funk!
      (i went to a korean place for lunch and ordered short ribs.... just cause i forgot what red meat looked like lol)

    11. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      November 29, 2010 at 3:18 pm

      I don't like wimpy soups either! I'll be eating more fruits and veggies this week. I don't have any more Thanksgiving leftovers (polished them all off this weekend) so I won't be tempted to eat pie in the middle of the day (or night) anymore. I think I'll make soup sometime this week too!

    12. Beth @ DiningAndDishing says

      November 29, 2010 at 3:58 pm

      Oh man, I need a serious detox after this weekend!! I've been enjoying lots of veggies, fruit, and gym time! 🙂

      The soup looks fantastic. Healthy and full of all kinds of flavors. Might be a good one to try when I get sick of all this salad soon! 🙂

    13. Evan @swEEts says

      November 29, 2010 at 9:08 pm

      Now that is a soup! I have a big pot of chili stewing right now so I totally know what you mean about that good soup feeling 🙂 I can't wait to try this.. I am bookmarking it right now.

    14. Melissa @ Made in Melissa's Kitchen says

      November 29, 2010 at 9:40 pm

      You definitely need to have some sort of carb with soup, although I am happy to have carbs with practically everything! This soup likes like it has a healthy kick spice and tons of flavor!

    15. peachkins says

      November 30, 2010 at 1:17 am

      a very hearty soup! I love it!

    16. Chris says

      November 30, 2010 at 1:41 am

      So so so so so good!

    17. sweeter salt says

      November 30, 2010 at 9:26 am

      Oh delicious soup. I have been craving soup lately, must be those dropping temps. My silly fiance doesn't like soup - of any kind. Weird boy. All the more for me! Must put this one on the to-make-list.

      Laura

    18. Bridget says

      November 30, 2010 at 10:59 am

      I love love love making soup this time of year and always looking for new ones! I just used my leftover turkey to make chili, but I'll just buy some chicken for this one! Sometimes I feel like broth based soups can be bland but I love the flavor that this sounds like it has!!

    19. Lauren at KeepItSweet says

      November 30, 2010 at 11:57 am

      my body is totally needing some healthy tasty food (although my mouth really wants more cookies)

    20. Danielle says

      November 30, 2010 at 7:35 pm

      Sitting here in freezing cold rainy Toronto, and this is all I want right now! Best way to warm up!

    21. Created By You says

      January 04, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      Oh YUM!! My hubby is not feeling well, has a cold/flu.. I bet this soup will knock it right out of him!!

    22. L says

      March 08, 2011 at 2:54 am

      this was great!

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