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This easy Spicy Chicken Soup recipe is packed with bold Tex-Mex flavors from Mexican spices, tender chicken, chili beans, and corn in a rich tomato broth. It's ready in just one hour and customizable to your preferred heat level.
Spicy Chicken Soup
Spicy Chicken SoupMy love for this soup started when I was in college–I made it for my friends and everyone went nuts for it. You can control the heat level depending on who's at the table – mild salsa for the kids, spicy for the adults who want a kick. The best part? It tastes exponentially better the next day after all those spices have had time to mingle and get cozy together. I've been known to make a double batch just so I can enjoy it for lunch all week long. And don't forget that toppings are king: avocado, cheese, cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips and letting everyone customize their own bowl.
Try my other soup recipes, like Baked Potato Soup, Cabbage Roll Soup, Homemade Chili, Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup, or Hungarian Goulash!
How to make Spicy Chicken Soup:
Cook Chicken: Place water, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, and bouillon cubes in a large pot. Bring to a boil then simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked. Take the chicken out but don't discard the broth! Shred the chicken and set aside.
Finish Soup and Serve: Cook onion and garlic in olive oil, until slightly browned. Stir in salsa, diced tomatoes, sugar, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, corn, chili beans, shredded chicken, and 3 ½ cups of the reserved chicken broth. Simmer for 30 minutes then serve in bowls topped with cilantro, cheese, avocado, and crushed tortilla chips!
Best Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, , minced
- 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste, (or 3 bullion cubes)
- 8 ounces salsa, , your favorite kind
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, , undrained
- 4 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 15 ounce can corn, (or frozen), drained
- 16 ounce can chili beans
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- Cilantro, shredded cheese, and avocado for soup garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine water, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder and bouillon.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and shred. Reserve 3 ½ cups of chicken broth water.
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in olive oil until slightly browned.
- Stir in salsa, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, chili powder, cumin, corn, chili beans, shredded chicken, and 3 ½ cups of the reserved water. Simmer 30 minutes.
- Stir in sour cream. Taste and add extra salt, or additional seasonings, if needed.
- Garnish with cilantro, cheese, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, or whatever you like!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe November 2017. Updated October 2020 and December 2025.
Hi, I am from Finland and my 3 sons enjoy spicy food. This one recipy I do from time to time and has never failed me sofar👨🍳
Thanks a lot for such a lovely article and a detailed explanation of the spices and chicken soup. It was really helpful for my today’s meal.
The best soup ever very delicious. Thanks for sharing.
My husband and I make this every few weeks we love it so much! So glad you shared
Very easy recipe and very good tasting also.
Very easy recipe and very good tasting also.
Is “chili beans” referring to a can of either pinto or kidney beans? Or do you mean a can of chili with beans?
Hi Erica, The can is actually called “chili beans”. So not, regular beans, and not chili with beans. Looks like this (but there are many different brands) http://amzn.to/2BX9wvf
Hope that helps!
Is there anything I can use instead of the chili beans? Hard to come by here in Azerbaijan!:) By the way, I am so glad I came across this blog. Have made the lasagna and it was delicious! Making the Gyros today.
Hello all the way in Azerbaijan! I’m so happy you liked the lasagna! You could substitute pinto beans for the chili beans and add a little extra seasonings. Hope you enjoy it, and hope you liked the gyros, too!
Looks delicious, and I will try it soon, thanks!
I’m a bit confused by the “4 cups of chicken broth or 2 cubes of bouillon”. Is the broth to be added to the reserved broth after the chicken cooks? Is the soup supposed to have the 4 cups of water and the 4 cups of broth or is optional?
Hi Pam, I’m sorry, that was confusing. I’ve updated the recipe so it should be clearer now. Just use the water that you boil the chicken in at the beginning, and then add 2 or 3 chicken bullion cubes towards the end, as instructed, for flavor. Thanks! Hope you love it!
I have to say, the pictures really sucked me in here. Looks delicious, and I will try it soon, thanks!
A hint of spice will do me good for this holiday. Spoonful Of Comfort