Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (or neutral cooking oil)
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning Mix (low sodium)
  • 6 cups Chicken Stock (low sodium)
  • 1 (15 oz) can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can Kidney Beans (or Pinto), rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10 oz) can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chillies (Rotel style), do not drain
  • 1 (15 oz) can Whole Kernel Corn, drained
  • 1 (4 oz) can Mild Green Chillies, diced, do not drain
  • 3 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded (Rotisserie chicken works brilliantly)
  • 8 oz block Full-Fat Cream Cheese, cut into cubes, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Milk (whole or 2%) or Half-and-Half
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
  • Salt and Black Pepper, To taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in the stockpot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. This toasts the spices, significantly deepening the flavor profile.
  2. Pour in the chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the rinsed black and kidney beans, the drained corn, the can of diced tomatoes with chillies, and the can of mild green chillies. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  3. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken. Incorporate the softened, cubed cream cheese, adding it piece by piece while stirring constantly until it begins to melt into the hot liquid. Pour in the milk (or Half-and-Half). Continue stirring until the soup is completely smooth and no lumps of cream cheese remain. Crucially: Do not allow the soup to come to a hard boil once the cream cheese is added, as this can cause the dairy to split.
  4. Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice. The acid cuts through the richness of the cream cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve piping hot with your chosen toppings.