Santa Fe Soup
A creamy, flavor-packed Santa Fe soup with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and bold Tex-Mex spices. Easy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 15 oz. can corn drained
- 1 10 oz. can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies undrained
- 1 15 oz. can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups shredded
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 1 oz. packet taco seasoning about 3 tablespoons
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix about 2 tablespoons
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/3 cup cream cheese softened
Toppings
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread on the side
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.
- Add the base ingredients: Add the tomato paste, corn, Rotel (with juices), black beans, chicken broth, raw chicken breasts, taco seasoning (start with 2 tablespoons), ranch seasoning mix (2 tablespoons or 1 packet), cayenne, cumin, and hot sauce. Stir to combine.
- Simmer gently: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and partially cover. Avoid boiling rapidly — slow simmering helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
- Shred the chicken: After 20–25 minutes, or once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pot. Use two forks to shred it, then return the shredded chicken to the soup.
- Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. Don’t rush this step — stir gently for the best texture.
- Taste the soup and add more taco seasoning, hot sauce, or salt if needed. Let it simmer on low for another few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, or extra cheese.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition
Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1471mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 590IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 1mg