Chicken Poblano Creamy Soup

Featured in: Quick Weeknight Meals

This creamy soup combines tender shredded chicken with smoky poblano peppers, black beans, and sweet corn. A flavorful seasoning blend and a touch of lime balance the richness of heavy cream and melted cheese. Perfect for quick, satisfying dinners, it offers a smooth texture and comforting warmth, garnished with fresh cilantro. Adaptable with different dairy alternatives and easily thickened to your taste.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:30:00 GMT
Steaming Chicken Poblano Soup, brimming with shredded chicken and vibrant peppers, ready to be served. Pin
Steaming Chicken Poblano Soup, brimming with shredded chicken and vibrant peppers, ready to be served. | forkandbloom.com

A creamy and comforting soup featuring shredded chicken, smoky poblano peppers, black beans, sweet corn, and a touch of lime—perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

This is a go to soup for chilly evenings and busy weeknights when I want something hearty and flavorful without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: 1 tbsp
  • Chopped yellow onion: ½ cup
  • Poblano pepper: 1, seeded and chopped
  • Garlic powder: ½ tsp
  • Onion powder: ½ tsp
  • Chili powder: ½ tsp
  • Dried oregano: ½ tsp
  • Kosher salt: ½ tsp
  • Freshly cracked black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Ground cumin: ¼ tsp
  • Shredded chicken (rotisserie or cooked breast/thighs): 2 cups
  • Black beans, drained: 1 can (15 oz)
  • Frozen corn: ½ cup
  • Chicken broth: 3 cups
  • Heavy cream: ½ cup
  • Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or Colby Jack): ½ cup
  • Fresh lime juice: 1 2 tsp (from 1 lime)
  • Fresh chopped cilantro: Garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, poblano pepper, and half of the seasoning blend. Sauté for 56 minutes, until vegetables are soft and lightly browned.
Step 2:
Stir in the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, chicken broth, and the remaining seasoning blend. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat.
Step 3:
Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Step 4:
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted, then return to a gentle simmer.
Step 5:
Cook for another 1015 minutes until the soup is creamy and slightly thickened.
Step 6:
Stir in lime juice, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 7:
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
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My family always gathers around this soup on cold nights, sharing stories and enjoying the warm comforting flavors together.

Notes

Substitute heavy cream with half & half or coconut milk for dairy free options. Top with sliced jalapeños, avocado, or tortilla strips for extra crunch and flavor.

Required Tools

Large pot or Dutch oven, chefs knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoon or spatula

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter, heavy cream, cheese) and legumes (black beans). Gluten free as written but always check labels for broth and cheese. For dairy free, use plant based alternatives.

A vibrant, creamy bowl of Chicken Poblano Soup, garnished with fresh cilantro, a comforting meal. Pin
A vibrant, creamy bowl of Chicken Poblano Soup, garnished with fresh cilantro, a comforting meal. | forkandbloom.com

This Chicken Poblano Soup brings cozy flavors and ease to your weeknight dinners perfectly.

Recipe Q&A

What type of chicken works best?

Shredded rotisserie or cooked chicken breast or thighs provide tender, flavorful protein that blends well with the soup's ingredients.

Can I adjust the heat level?

Yes, modify seasoning amounts or add sliced jalapeños for more spice; removing seeds from poblano peppers reduces heat.

How do I thicken the soup?

Mash some beans directly in the pot or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) while simmering.

Are there dairy-free options?

Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use plant-based butter and cheese alternatives for a dairy-free version.

How long does it keep?

Refrigerate leftovers up to four days. For freezing, omit cream and cheese; add them fresh when reheating.

Chicken Poblano Creamy Soup

Creamy chicken with poblano peppers, black beans, corn, and a hint of lime for a cozy meal.

Prep duration
10 min
Cooking duration
30 min
Complete duration
40 min


Skill level Easy

Origin Mexican-inspired

Yield 4 Portions

Dietary specifications Gluten-free

Components

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
02 ½ cup chopped yellow onion
03 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped

Seasoning Blend

01 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
02 ½ teaspoon onion powder
03 ½ teaspoon chili powder
04 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
05 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
06 ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
07 ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Proteins & Soup Base

01 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or breast/thigh)
02 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
03 ½ cup frozen corn
04 3 cups chicken broth

Creamy Finish

01 ½ cup heavy cream
02 ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or Colby Jack)
03 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)

Garnish

01 Fresh chopped cilantro

Directions

Step 01

Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, poblano pepper, and half of the seasoning blend. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables soften and lightly brown.

Step 02

Combine Main Ingredients: Add shredded chicken, black beans, corn, chicken broth, and the remaining seasoning blend. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Step 03

Simmer to Develop Flavors: Allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 04

Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese until fully melted, then return to a gentle simmer.

Step 05

Finish Cooking: Continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes until the soup is creamy and slightly thickened.

Step 06

Add Lime and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in lime juice, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 07

Serve with Garnish: Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Necessary tools

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains dairy (butter, heavy cream, cheese)
  • Contains legumes (black beans)
  • Gluten-free when using certified gluten-free broth and cheese

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 360
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Carbs: 18 g
  • Protein: 25 g