Oh, man, there are some nights when all you want is a big, warm hug in a bowl, right? That’s exactly what led me to whip up this Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup with Black Beans one chilly evening. I was craving something super flavorful but honestly, didn’t have a ton of time and energy for anything fussy. This soup totally hit the spot! It’s got this incredible creamy texture, a little kick from the poblanos, satisfying chicken, and hearty black beans all blended together. Seriously, it’s become a go-to for those busy nights when you just need deliciousness fast.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup with Black Beans
Okay, so here’s the scoop on why this soup is basically magic:
- It’s ridiculously easy – seriously, pantry staples and minimal chopping!
- Super quick for busy weeknights; you’ll be cozying up with a bowl in under 45 minutes.
- Packed with flavor! The poblanos give it a lovely, mild warmth that’s just perfect.
- Creamy and satisfying without being heavy – it’s a hug in a bowl!
- Great for meal prep; leftovers are even better the next day.
- It’s one of those delicious creamy soup ideas that everyone in the family gobbles up.
Gather Your Ingredients for Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! For this wonderfully simple creamy chicken poblano soup, you’ll need just a handful of things:
- A tablespoon of olive oil to get things started.
- About a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced up into bite-sized pieces. If you want some other ideas for chicken breasts, check out these amazing chicken breast recipes!
- One medium onion, just give it a good chop.
- Two cloves of garlic, minced – fresh is totally best here!
- Two poblano peppers, seeded and chopped. Remember to scrape out those seeds unless you want things a bit spicier!
- Four cups of chicken broth; I usually just grab a carton.
- One 15-ounce can of black beans, give ’em a rinse and drain.
- One cup of half-and-half – this is where the magic creaminess comes from!
- Half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper to taste.
- And for topping? Shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, or some fresh cilantro are always winners!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Okay, let’s get this wonderful soup going! It’s really not complicated at all, I promise. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a bowl of pure comfort in no time.
Preparing the Base of Your Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
First things first, you want to get a good foundation of flavor going. Heat up that tablespoon of olive oil in your big pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your diced chicken. You just want to brown it on all sides – it doesn’t need to be cooked through yet. This gets a beautiful little crust on it and locks in flavor. Scoop the chicken out and set it aside for a sec. Now, into that same pot, throw in your chopped onion and those lovely poblano peppers. Let them soften up for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they look nice and tender.
Simmering and Combining Flavors in the Poblano Soup
Alright, now for the good stuff! Add your minced garlic to the pot with the onions and peppers. Give it just a minute until you can really smell that wonderful aroma – don’t let it burn! Then, pour in all that chicken broth. Get it up to a nice simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot; that’s pure flavor gold! Now, bring your browned chicken back into the pot. Stir in those rinsed black beans, your salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir, turn the heat down low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This is where all those amazing flavors start to meld together!
Achieving the Perfect Creaminess for Your Chicken Poblano Soup
We’re almost there! The final touch for that luscious, creamy texture is getting the half-and-half in there. Pour it in and stir it gently until everything is heated through. Now, this is super important: you don’t want to boil the soup after you add the half-and-half, or it can sometimes separate or get a weird texture. Just a gentle heat, and you’re golden! Ladle this deliciousness into bowls and top it off with whatever makes you happy – maybe some shredded cheese or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Alright, let’s make this soup absolutely sing! I’ve found a few little tricks that really take this Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup with Black Beans from good to OMG-so-good. Trust me, these little tweaks make all the difference in getting that perfect flavor and texture every single time. It’s all about those subtle things that add up to a truly comforting bowl.
Customizing Your Easy Chicken Soup with Black Beans
Don’t be shy about making this soup your own! If you love a little more heat, go ahead and leave a few seeds in those poblano peppers – or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper when you add the salt and pepper. Feeling adventurous? Toss in some corn kernels or even a diced jalapeño for an extra kick! Sometimes I’ll throw in a little bit of chopped cilantro right at the end for some fresh, bright flavor, or even some shredded zucchini if I have some hanging around.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
This soup is pretty much a full meal on its own, but if you want to go the extra mile, I have a couple of favorite pairings. A big slice of warm, crusty garlic bread is an absolute must for dunking – it’s just heavenly! Sometimes I’ll serve it with a simple side salad to balance out the creaminess, or even some tortilla chips for extra crunch. And of course, don’t forget those toppings we talked about – a little cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and some fresh cilantro really make it shine, and you can always find more amazing chicken ideas at melt-in-your-mouth chicken recipes for other occasions!
Storage and Reheating for Your Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup is fantastic the next day, and the flavors even meld a bit more. Just pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should keep beautifully there for about 3 days. When you’re ready to dive back in, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You don’t want to boil it after adding the cream, remember? If it seems a little thick, just stir in a splash of milk or broth to get it back to that perfect consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Got questions about this creamy chicken poblano delight? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things folks often ask:
Can I make this soup spicier than the recipe calls for?
Oh, absolutely! If you love a good kick, you can definitely spice this soup up. My favorite way is to leave a few of the poblano seeds in when you chop them – that’s where a lot of the heat lives! You could also add a pinch of cayenne pepper right along with the salt and pepper, or even throw in a diced jalapeño with the onions and poblanos. Just start small and taste as you go!
What can I use if I can’t find poblano peppers?
No poblanos? No problem! You can totally swap them out. A couple of green bell peppers will give you a similar texture and mild flavor, though they won’t have that unique poblano warmth. For a bit more heat and flavor, a jalapeño (seeds removed if you prefer it milder) can work well, or even a roasted Anaheim pepper if you can find those!
Is this soup really suitable for meal prep?
Yes, 100%! This is actually one of my go-to meal prep soups. The flavors get even better after a day in the fridge. Just let it cool completely, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you reheat it, just do it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a tiny splash of milk or broth if it seems a bit too thick. Perfect for lunches!
Can I make this creamy chicken soup without chicken?
You sure can! For a vegetarian version, just skip the chicken and maybe add some extra beans or some hearty vegetables like diced zucchini or sweet potato cubes when you add the broth. You could also toss in some crumbled firm tofu or vegan chicken alternative if you have that on hand. Just keep the rest of the steps the same, add your creamy element at the end, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian black bean soup!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
Now, for my fellow number-crunchers out there, here’s a little peek at what you’re getting nutritionally with a serving of this amazing soup. Keep in mind these are estimates, you know, since brands and exact measurements can make little tweaks!
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: Roughly 350
- Fat: Around 15g (with about 6g of that being saturated fat)
- Protein: A hearty 30g!
- Carbohydrates: About 20g (including some good fiber!)
- Sodium: Around 700mg
It’s a pretty balanced bowl, if I do say so myself!
Share Your Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup Creations!
I just absolutely LOVE hearing from you guys! Did you whip up this Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup with Black Beans? Did you add your own special twist, maybe try a different spice or veggie? I’d be thrilled if you’d drop a comment below and tell me all about it! And if you’re feeling extra generous, give this recipe a star rating – it really helps others find it. You can also share your photos with me if you’d like to connect on social media or have any questions/feedback, just hop over to my contact page. Happy cooking!
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Easy Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup with Black Beans
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and flavorful creamy soup with chicken, poblano peppers, and black beans, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
- Add onion and poblano peppers to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return chicken to the pot.
- Stir in black beans, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in half-and-half and heat through, but do not boil.
- Serve hot, with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- For a spicier soup, leave some of the seeds in the poblano peppers.
- You can shred the cooked chicken instead of dicing it for a different texture.
- This soup is great for meal prep; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg



