This spicy chicken lime soup is like chicken noodle meets chicken tortilla soup for a spicy, noodle-less middle ground perfect for a cold winter day.
*This post for spicy chicken lime soup was originally published 11/16/2012. It’s been updated with new pictures and a few tweaks of the recipe. I could (and do!) literally eat this soup all winter long. It’s got the best limey broth, a good kick of spice and lots of warm, comforting chicken broth making it a great go-to whether you just need an easy dinner or a big bowl when you’re feeling under the weather.
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So I’m writing this post in the airport (on Wednesday night…that’s about as far ahead as I ever get) and I feel the need to talk about a few things…
Firstly, CNN.
No matter which direction I turn in the gate area, it’s on.
And not only is it thrown up on the TV screens with subtitles but the lovely JFK airport has wired the sound into every 5 feet of ceiling space so you can’t escape it.
Without getting political in either direction, all I have to say is this…is the media even effing serious with the crap they televise?
The bs story after bs story that makes national headlines literally makes me sick to my stomach.
How and why do we tolerate this crap they feed us and call “news”?
Secondly, the birds.
There have been no less than 7 birds that have landed at my feet over the past 30 minutes in hopes that I’ll magically drop my $33 airport kiosk dinner on the floor for them.
That wouldn’t be weird if I were outside maybe, but I’m inside an airport.
Classy, JFK.
And lastly, the poor whiter than white American Delta gate agent assigned to the Shanghai flight.
This woman has been making repeat announcements of passenger names for the last 15 minutes straight and each one that comes out of her mouth you just want to give her a hug for trying really hard to sound it out like she’s on stage at a spelling bee.
I’m pretty sure she keeps repeating the same names because whoever those people are, they have no idea they’re even being called with the butchered attempts that are coming out of her mouth.
Now that that’s out of the way, I feel like I can focus on this soup.
Spicy chicken lime soup. Here we go…
I love the idea of chicken noodle soup but when it actually comes down to it, it does nothing for me.
Nothing.
I like my soups refreshing. As in spicy, limey and with tons of cilantro, just like traditional sopa de lima.
THAT makes me feel like I can kick a cold, not soggy noodles in chicken-y broth.
Jenna has an awesome Asian chicken noodle soup that totally fits the bill for me (and I’ve made multiple times) but when bok choy and Asian noodles aren’t on hand, this spicy chicken lime soup is my go to version.
How To Make Spicy Chicken Lime Soup
The base for this chicken lime soup is very similar to most soups. You have the typical ingredients to start things off:
- onion
- carrot
- celery
What makes the soup spicy and gives that refreshing, lime flavor are:
- jalapeño
- ginger
- lime
You can make it as spicy as you like by just adjusting the jalapeño amount, but for me, a full one goes in without question.
I kinda like the numb mouth feeling the full pepper leaves you with when you get to the end of the bowl and if you’re sick, it’s one sure way to open up those sinuses!
I love using rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to throw in because the last thing I want to do when I’m sick is cook more than I have to. Shredded chicken from cooking a stewing hen is also great for this soup and you can use the broth from that method too!
If you keep frozen chicken breasts on hand, try making them in the air fryer (from frozen!) for a quick and easy way to have some cooked chicken on hand for this soup.
Feel free to stir in some greens too for added nutrition. Spinach or Tuscan kale would be good options. Or, try this Tuscan kale soup recipe instead!
This is a warming, refreshing and cozy kind of soup.
Pretty much everything this airport experience isn’t. I kind of wish I had a big bowl of it in my hand right now.
Love this spicy chicken lime soup recipe?
Try out these cozy soup recipes: sweet corn egg drop soup, buffalo chicken soup with orzo and Hot and Sour Egg Drop Soup.
Mexican vegetable soup (sopa de verduras) will also give you lots of Mexican flavor without any meat if that’s more your style.
Or, make this Thai red curry soup for an Asian twist with all the feel goodness you crave in the winter.
Spicy Chicken Lime Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 carrot, peeled & diced
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- salt & pepper
- zest of 1 lime
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
- handful cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add onion, carrot, celery and jalapeno and saute for about 5-8 minutes until softened and starting to brown.
- Add garlic, ginger, cumin, salt & pepper and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add lime zest and chicken broth, let mixture come to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken, cilantro, vinegar and lime juice and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat, serve hot and garnish with additional cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
A comforting meal for cold winter days.
My heart is filled with nostalgia! This chicken soup is very similar to the one my grandma would make. I’ve been thinking about her and missing her this holiday season. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
So glad to hear you liked it! Nostalgic recipes are the best :)
This soup was so good! The flavours you put together went amazing together. Looking forward to making it again soon!
YUMMY! The best flavor combo. Can’t wait to have it again.
This was DELICIOUS! I will definitely be making this again!
I never post reviews, but had to share that this soup is incredible. Easy, light, super flavorful, perfect. Love it. Thank you!
So glad you liked it! Appreciate the review :)
Used shrimp instead of chicken. The broth is prob going to be my new go-to for Asian soups. Thx for sharing!
Yay! Glad you liked it :)
LOVE this soup!! It was incredibly delicious. Really incredible flavor profile! Nom :)
Just a note – I assumed the garlic should be added with the ginger, but it’s not in the directions.
Yay! So glad you like it and thanks for letting me know about the garlic, recipe has been updated.
I could see dressing this with some chopped avocado and chicharron (pork rinds) – as you would tortilla soup. Looking forward to making this!
Yes! Love both of those ideas :)
Arghhhhh, regardless of political views, the news just drives me nuts lately!
And NYC airports are absolutely horrible. I spent some time in the Vancouver airport this weekend, and I was amazed at how nice and clean it was. JFK is bad, and Laguardia is just a total mess. Newark isn’t much better. I wish our airports were just a little bit nicer!
That soup looks great though :)