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Easy Chicken Lime Avocado Soup Recipe

Easy Chicken Lime Avocado Soup

A Mexican-inspired chicken soup with fire-roasted tomatoes, fresh lime, cilantro, jalapeño, and creamy avocado. This simple one-pot dinner is ready in about 40 to 45 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeño jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 1 14-15 ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 avocados ripe avocados, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional Toppings
  • as needed lime wedges
  • as needed tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
  • as needed thinly sliced jalapeño
  • as needed chopped red onion
  • as needed sour cream or Mexican crema

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced jalapeño, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
  2. Add the minced garlic, cumin, and dried oregano. Stir continuously for 30 to 60 seconds, just until the garlic and spices smell fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Add the chicken breasts, kosher salt, and black pepper, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup uncovered for approximately 18 to 22 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
  5. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup and stir to distribute it through the broth.
  6. Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
  7. Ladle the soup into bowls and add the diced avocado immediately before serving. Finish with your favorite toppings, such as lime wedges, tortilla strips, sliced jalapeño, red onion, or Mexican crema.

Notes

Add avocado to individual bowls rather than boiling it in the pot, since prolonged cooking can make it mushy and dull its green color. For a rotisserie chicken variation, simmer the broth and vegetables for 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in about 3 cups shredded cooked chicken.