Name: Slow Cooker Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h 30 min
Total time: 6 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 ounces canned small white beans, such as navy or great northern, drained and rinsed; 14 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed; 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes; 2 cups chicken stock; 1 cup light beer, such as Corona, or chicken stock; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 sweet bell peppers, red, yellow, or orange, seeded and chopped; 3 jalapeño peppers, seeds and membranes removed, diced; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish; 2 tablespoons cumin; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon liquid smoke, optional; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons oregano; 1 teaspoon coriander; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces; Optional Toppings; Chopped cilantro; Diced green onions; Chopped tomatoes; Shredded cheese; Sour cream

Description

Slow Cooker Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup is a cozy and comforting one-pot meal packed with tender shredded chicken, white beans, black beans, peppers, tomatoes, and bold Southwest seasonings. Cream cheese makes the broth rich and creamy while the slow cooker does all the work.

Ingredients

14 ounces canned small white beans, such as navy or great northern, drained and rinsed
14 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup light beer, such as Corona, or chicken stock
1 large onion, chopped
2 sweet bell peppers, red, yellow, or orange, seeded and chopped
3 jalapeño peppers, seeds and membranes removed, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon liquid smoke, optional
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon coriander
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
Optional Toppings
Chopped cilantro
Diced green onions
Chopped tomatoes
Shredded cheese
Sour cream

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Instructions

Add the onion, garlic, cilantro, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, white beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, beer, chicken stock, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, coriander, and liquid smoke if using to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Lay the chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing them down slightly until they are just covered by the other ingredients.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 1/2 hours or on high for 3 1/2 hours.
Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred the chicken and set it aside.
Add the softened cream cheese to the slow cooker. Whisk or stir until the cream cheese is thoroughly blended into the soup.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and fold it into the soup. Allow the soup to rest for 10 minutes.
Serve warm as is, or top with chopped cilantro, diced green onions, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream.

Notes

Liquid smoke is optional and adds a deeper, smokier flavor to the soup.
For a gluten-free version, use a liquid smoke brand that specifically states it is gluten-free, such as Colgin.
If using beer, choose a gluten-free beer when needed, or substitute chicken stock.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Category: Soup, Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American, Southwestern