Cooking Tips

• Prep Ahead: Chop your vegetables and prep portions of all your ingredients in advance to save time during the cooking process.
• Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker meal, shred rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken yourself.
• Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder soup, reduce the amount of jalapeno and hot sauce. For extra heat, add more diced jalapenos & hot sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Make It Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken with cooked lentils or extra beans (like pinto or kidney beans) and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Add More Veggies: Sneak in more nutrition by adding zucchini, carrots, or spinach. Just chop them small and add them when you sauté the onions.
• Storage: This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days, and it freezes well for up to 3 months.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Protein options:
  • Use shredded turkey instead of chicken
  • For vegetarian/vegan diets: Replace chicken with extra beans or add firm tofu
• Vegetable variations:
  • Add zucchini, carrots or spinach for extra vegetables. Feel free to add in whatever you have on hand!
• Bean alternatives:
  • Use pinto or kidney beans instead of black beans
  • Add a second type of bean for more variety
• Broth choices:
  • Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
  • Try bone broth for added nutrients
• Coconut milk alternatives:
  • I like to use canned unsweetened coconut milk in this recipe, but you could also replace this with heavy cream instead.
• Corn substitutions:
  • Use fresh or frozen corn instead of canned
• Seasoning alternatives:
  • Make your own taco seasoning with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and oregano
  • Use a fajita seasoning mix for a slightly different flavor profile
• Tomato options:
  • Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smoky flavor
• Heat variations:
  • Use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of jalapeños for a smoky heat
  • Try different hot sauces like Tabasco or Sriracha for unique flavor profiles
• Garnish ideas:
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier option
  • Try cotija cheese instead of shredded cheddar for an authentic Mexican touch
  • Add sliced radishes for a crisp, peppery bite