Featured Recipe
Spicy Chicken Tomato Corn Soup
By Kate
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A hearty soup combining shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, and sweet corn with smoky chipotle and ground coriander. Sautéed onions and garlic form the base. Simmered in chicken broth, finished with fresh green onions and crunchy tortilla chip topping. Adapted with reduced corn quantity and swapped cumin for coriander and olive oil for avocado oil. Slight cooking time adjustment for deeper flavors.
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Prep:
20 min
Cook:
45 min
Total:
65 min
Serves:
4 servings
soup
chicken
spicy
healthy
easy
Introduction
Chicken, tomatoes, and corn, waking up the cold day. Not just toss in, slow a bit. Onion sweat until translucent. Garlic hits the hot oil. Smell the air change with chipotle and coriander, smoky, earthy. Broth pools with chunky tomatoes, corn scaled down to keep balance, sweetness tucked away. Simmer, watch the surface dance for a good 25, flavors marry. Chicken folded in last, warming, tender. Crunch from tortilla chips bursts as you bite. Green onion curls like fresh breath on top. Simple swapping spice and oil shifts everything. Time stretched, flavors deepened. Not rushed.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Onions and garlic need patience, sweat gently. Avocado oil stands in for olive oil, subtle but cleaner heat. Coriander swaps cumin, warmer, citrus edged. Corn reduced to prevent overpowering sweetness, balances with chipotle’s smokiness. Canned tomatoes with juices add tang and body. Chicken already cooked, shredded makes reheating easy. Green onions bright, fresh contrast to smoky depths. Tortilla chips not just garnish, texture layer. Salt added carefully at broth stage, enhances without stealing spotlight.
Method
Technique Tips
Start with oil and aromatics until they soften but resist browning. Spice added just before liquids, short time to bloom. Combining corn earlier than original method lets flavors meld during simmer. Simmer time extended slightly for richer integration. Add chicken near end, no cooking – just warmth to keep texture intact. Season last for control. Serve immediately, garnish with crushed chips and fresh onion slices for textural interplay and visual freshness. Timing key to preserve layers. Keep watch on simmer; low, slow, no rush.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Patience with onions. Chop finely. Heat oil over medium, let them cook slowly. Soft is goal, no brown. Garlic next, minced and in. Aroma changes, pay attention. Chipotle and coriander added momentarily, just until fragrant. Don't rush.
- 💡 Season wisely. Salt can overwhelm if added too soon. Broth will dictate flavor. Adjust towards end. Corn reduces sweetness; balance with tomatoes. Canned tomatoes here are key for texture. Juices in, please. Mix regularly during simmer.
- 💡 Substitutions matter. Avocado oil for olive oil provides cleaner taste. Changes subtle yet impactful. Coriander instead of cumin brightens dish. It's warmer, livens the entire soup. Consider other spices if desired but maintain simplicity.
- 💡 Cooking time flexibility. Simmer longer for deeper flavors, less rush. Chicken doesn't need cooking, just warming to save moisture. Integrate it last for best texture. Stir gently; let blend happen naturally, avoid over-mixing.
- 💡 Garnish thoughtfully. Tortilla chips are more than just decoration. They add crunch and texture contrast. Green onions contribute fresh elements. Scatter generously on top for principles of layering flavors. Presentation counts.
Kitchen Wisdom
Can I use fresh corn?
Yes fresh corn is great. Just adjust amount slightly. Frozen corn saves time but fresh adds sweetness. Cut kernels off cob. Mix in right after broth. Watch cooking time.
What's best way to store leftovers?
Cool soup fully. Transfer into airtight container. Freeze if longer storage needed. Thaw in fridge overnight. Reheat slowly. Keeps flavors intact. Avoid high heat.
How to make it vegetarian?
Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth. Replace chicken with beans or lentils. Adjust cook time for proteins; ensure texture appropriate. Add more veggies as desired. Experiment for favorites.
Can I add other veggies?
Absolutely! Bell peppers or zucchini can work well. Diced carrots add sweetness. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they soften. Balance these additions with seasonings for unified flavor.
