Description
Cajun Chicken Soup is a cozy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breast, smoked turkey bacon, and a vibrant mix of bell peppers and spices in a rich, smoky broth. Perfect for chilly days, this wholesome soup delivers a zesty Cajun experience with fresh vegetables and a natural gelling agent for a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced (reserve some for garnish)
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced yellow bell pepper
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp natural gelling agent
- 3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop bell peppers, celery, onion, and garlic into bite-sized pieces. Cut chicken breast into thin strips for quick cooking. Dice smoked turkey bacon into small pieces to release its smoky aroma while cooking.
- Sauté the Base: In a large pot over medium heat, cook smoked turkey bacon until slightly crisp. Remove some bacon bits for garnish. Add onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté until softened and aromatic.
- Add Spices and Chicken: Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Add chicken strips and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Build the Broth: Add diced tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), chicken broth, and natural gelling agent. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer and Finish: Let soup simmer gently for about 25 minutes to meld flavors and cook chicken through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in green onions and fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh spices for a brighter and more intense flavor.
- Slowly sauté vegetables to bring out their natural sweetness and depth.
- Simmer soup gently to allow all ingredients to fully develop their flavors.
- Adjust cayenne pepper gradually to control the heat level.
- Reserve some cooked smoked turkey bacon as a garnish to add texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cajun Chicken Soup, spicy soup, smoky turkey bacon soup, gluten free soup, comforting soup, healthy chicken soup
