Chile Relleno Soup Recipe
Chile Relleno Soup is a creamy, flavorful Mexican-inspired soup featuring roasted poblano peppers, tender chicken breast, and a blend of melted cheeses. This comforting dish captures the essence of traditional chile relleno in a warm and hearty soup perfect for any occasion.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roasting, Sautéing, Simmering, Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Low Salt
Peppers
- 5 poblano peppers (also labeled Pasilla peppers, depending on location)
Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Protein & Cheese
- 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken breast
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into very small cubes
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Garnish
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Roast the Poblanos: Clean and dry the poblano peppers thoroughly. Roast them until the skin is blackened, charred, and blistered by placing them on a foil-lined cookie sheet a few inches under a high broiler, turning once, or by roasting over an open flame on a gas burner, turning all sides. This process takes about 10 minutes.
- Steam and Peel the Poblanos: Transfer the hot peppers to a sealed plastic bag to trap steam and let them cool. Once cooled, rub off as much of the charred skin as possible with your fingers or a small knife. Cut off the stem, slice the peppers in half, remove and discard the seeds, then finely chop the peppers or pulse them a few times in a food processor. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Spices: In a medium pot, warm butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped poblanos.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, add salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a very gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Chicken: Stir in the cooked, chopped chicken breast to the simmering soup to heat through evenly.
- Melt the Cheeses: Add the cream cheese and 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot. Whisk continuously until all cheese is melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Serve and Broil Topping: Divide the soup evenly into 6 bowls. Sprinkle each with the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and the shredded pepper jack cheese. Place bowls under the broiler just until the cheese melts and turns golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Top each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro and serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- Roasting the peppers until well-charred adds depth and smokiness to the soup.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the salt level.
- Adjust the cheese amounts to your preference for creaminess or sharpness.
- For a spicier soup, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeño.
- This soup keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove.
- To make the recipe vegetarian, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and remove the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Chile Relleno Soup, poblano peppers, Mexican soup, creamy chicken soup, roasted pepper soup, cheesy soup, comforting soup