Instant Pot Smoky Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a spicy Mexican soup made from? ›

Vegetables: Black beans, corn, and red bell pepper are used for this Mexican chicken soup. Aromatics: Ginger, onion, and chile pepper make this soup extra flavorful. I used serrano peppers to prepare this spicy Mexican chicken soup, but you can absolutely use something milder, like jalapeño peppers.

Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.

Fresh Herbs:Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor. Citrus Zest:Grate the zest of a lemon or lime into the soup just before serving to add brightness. Ginger and Turmeric:Add grated ginger and a touch of ground turmeric for warmth and depth of flavor.

Sometimes that's great, infusing our home with delicious smells and warmth, but a lot of the time, we're craving soup NOW. Enter: the Instant Pot. It can make delicious, hands-off soup, usually in just under an hour. Check out our best Instant Pot soups, stews, and chilis—you'll be feeling all warm and cozy in no time.

Some of the most common spice blends used in Mexican cuisine include chili powder, which typically includes cumin, garlic powder, and paprika, and achiote paste, which is made from annatto seeds and gives dishes a vibrant red color.

Mexican spices embody nature's elements, combining heat and smoke and depth into unforgettable dishes. Earthy cumin, smoky chipotle, and cooling cilantro meet fiery chiles, creating a cuisine rich with culture and tradition.

Incorporating aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery for added complexity. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and other spices like bay leaves or paprika to taste. Adding a splash of lemon juice or a dash of vinegar to brighten the flavors.

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

This works particularly well in recipes that include meats such as chicken or beef. But, after an hour or so or simmering, the bay leaf itself doesn't do much good, and doesn't have the right texture to eat, so it is discarded. No one wants to chew on that rough leaf in the middle of an excellent soup.

Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

What spices add depth to soup? ›

Herbs and sources add flavor, aroma, and intensity to the soup broth. You can pick fresh or dried herbs like basil for tomato-based soups or fresh parsley for clear broths. You may also add more spices like turmeric, ground ginger, ground paprika, or nutmeg for a touch of spice and color to your soup broth.

Add acidic ingredients.

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

The Verdict: While the pressure cooker prepared a superior tasting dish, it all comes down to how you want to spend your time. The slow cooker is great for hands off cooking. The pressure cooker is fast and provides a better result, but you need to be in the kitchen the entire time it's on the stove.

Mexican foods contain some of the spiciest ingredients in the world including Jalapeño peppers. We suggest you try the new Jalapeño Bacon Dip, Chiles Toreados with Cebollitas Asadas, or Abuela's Guacamole for a sampling of the heat to come.

The Spiciest Mexican Food

There are countless Mexican dishes but when it comes to being the spiciest, chilate de Pollo (a fiery chicken soup) and Sopa de Camarones, (a shrimp soup from Guerrero) can be termed as punishingly hot. Apart from this, bright red goat or mutton stew called birria is also very spicy.

Pozole (Spanish pronunciation: [po'sole]; from Nahuatl languages: pozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize) is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine.

Spicy Shrimp Soup is comfort in a bowl. A combination of chicken and seafood stock simmered with jalapeno, a truckload of garlic, dried herbs and lime juice literally warms you from the inside out.