Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken (Printable Version)

Creamy, spicy chicken soup featuring jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon for rich flavor.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

01 - 1 medium onion, diced
02 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 large jalapeños, seeds removed and diced
04 - Fresh cilantro for garnish

→ Proteins

05 - 450 grams boneless, skinless chicken breasts
06 - 120 grams crumbled bacon (optional)

→ Liquids and Dairy

07 - 30 milliliters olive oil
08 - 950 milliliters chicken broth
09 - 240 milliliters heavy cream
10 - 225 grams cream cheese, softened
11 - 110 grams shredded cheddar cheese

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeños, cooking an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors.
03 - Add the chicken breasts to the pot along with the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
04 - Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, blending well with the broth.
06 - Add the softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
07 - Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully combined. If using, fold in the crumbled bacon to enhance flavor.
08 - Allow the soup to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Adjust the number of jalapeños according to your preferred spice level. For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with low-fat milk.