Description
This Cajun Chicken Soup is a rich and hearty dish featuring smoked turkey bacon, tender chicken thighs, fresh garden vegetables, and bold Cajun spices. Perfect for cozying up on chilly evenings, it delivers a vibrant smoky, spicy, and savory flavor experience that’s both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
Liquids and Broth
- 6 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Spices
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (natural)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (natural)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Other
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the yellow onion, celery stalks, and all three colors of bell peppers into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a harmonious blend of flavors. Mince the garlic cloves finely to release their full aroma.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the smoked turkey bacon slices and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot to enhance the soup’s depth.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, celery, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté them until softened and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic during the last minute to prevent burning and to release its flavor.
- Add the Chicken and Seasonings: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the pot along with the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning (natural), smoked paprika (natural), bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer and Develop Flavors: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes to cook the chicken through and allow the flavors to marry beautifully.
- Shred the Chicken and Finish the Soup: Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into tender, bite-sized pieces and return them to the soup. Stir in the natural gelling agent as directed, then simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to slightly thicken it.
Notes
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika (natural) for vibrant authentic flavors.
- Slowly sauté vegetables to develop natural sweetness and aroma.
- Shred chicken with two forks for tender, bite-sized pieces.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding extra natural gelling agent if desired.
- Allow the soup to rest for 10 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken soup, smoky soup, spicy chicken soup, comfort food, gluten free soup, hearty soup, smoked turkey bacon
