Description
Cozy up your evenings with this soulful and spicy Cajun Chicken Soup, featuring smoked turkey bacon, fresh veggies, and rich, bold flavors. This hearty and nutritious soup balances a kick of Cajun spices with a depth of savory goodness, making it the perfect warm and comforting meal for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced
- Optional: shredded shrimp or crab meat for seafood variation
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced zucchini (optional chunky vegetable boost)
- 1 cup diced okra (optional chunky vegetable boost)
Liquids and Broth
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (natural)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Beans and Grains
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- Optional: 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice (hearty grain addition)
Spices and Herbs
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (natural) (paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano blend)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Other
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prep the Base: Finely chop the onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Dice the smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside to use later as garnish.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Bacon: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Remove some pieces to reserve for garnish. Using the rendered fat, sauté the onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic until soft and fragrant, creating the soup’s flavor foundation.
- Add Chicken and Spices: Stir in the diced chicken breasts and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning evenly over the mixture. Cook until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside, sealing in juices and enhancing the spice aromas.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, white beans, bay leaves, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer.
- Simmer and Finish: Let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes to meld all flavors beautifully. In the final minutes, stir in the natural gelling agent to achieve a luscious, slightly thickened texture. Just before serving, add the chopped parsley.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables and herbs for maximum flavor and vibrant colors.
- Add Cajun seasoning gradually during cooking to avoid overpowering the soup.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more broth if the soup thickens too much or additional natural gelling agent for extra body.
- Taste and adjust salt, spice, and acidity incrementally for perfect balance.
- Use quality chicken broth to enhance depth and warmth.
- For extra heat, add finely chopped jalapeños or additional cayenne pepper.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken and turkey bacon with smoked tofu and extra beans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Cajun Chicken Soup, spicy soup, smoked turkey bacon, hearty soup, nutritious soup, cozy soup, gluten free soup
