King Ranch Chicken Soup – Creamy, Hearty & Comforting!
High Protein
Low-Carb Option
This creamy King Ranch Chicken Soup is packed with tender shredded chicken, melted cheese, tomatoes, green chilies, and delicious Tex-Mex spices. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for a cozy family dinner. This version is also adapted to be low-carb and high-protein!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained slightly
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the chicken: Place chicken breasts in a pot with chicken broth. Simmer for 15–18 minutes until fully cooked (165°F/74°C internally). Remove, shred with two forks, and set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, heat olive oil or butter. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Make it creamy: Add cream cheese in small pieces, stirring until melted. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring until smooth.
6. Add chicken: Return shredded chicken to the pot. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes to combine the flavors.
7. Add cheese: Stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack until melted and creamy.
8. Finish with Greek yogurt: Lower the heat and stir in Greek yogurt. Avoid boiling after adding it to prevent curdling.
9. Taste and serve: Adjust salt, pepper, and spices. Serve hot with fresh cilantro and extra shredded cheese.
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Sliced jalapeños
- A spoonful of Greek yogurt
- Fresh lime juice
Estimated Nutrition
Per serving (1 of 6)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 39g |
| Fat | 19g |
| Total Carbs | 9g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Net Carbs | 7g |
Nutrition is approximate and varies by ingredients and portion sizes.
Low-Carb & Weight-Loss Tips
- Skip traditional tortilla strips and tortilla chips.
- Use extra chicken for more protein.
- Choose unsweetened Greek yogurt.
- Avoid flour or cornstarch thickeners.
- Add spinach or zucchini for extra vegetables.
- Use reduced-fat cheese if you want to reduce calories.
Keto-Friendly Version
This soup is naturally low in carbohydrates when prepared without tortillas, flour, or cornstarch. It makes a satisfying high-protein meal for a low-carb lifestyle!
