Cilantro Chicken Soup with Lime

Cilantro Soup served in white bowls and topped with a lime wedges and sliced jalapenos on top of a blue kitchen towel

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 poblano pepper diced
1 jalapeno pepper diced (seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
1 bunch cilantro stems and leaves separated and chopped
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup orzo noodles cooked
2 raw chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: chopped cilantro leaves, lime wedges, avocado slices, diced tomatoes, sour cream

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2 tbsp olive oil, 1 medium onion
Stir in minced garlic, diced poblano pepper, cilantro stems, and diced jalapeno pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until peppers start to soften.
3 cloves garlic, 1 poblano pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper
Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
6 cups chicken broth
Once the soup is boiling, add raw chicken breasts to the pot. Reduce heat to low and let the chicken breasts simmer in the broth for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
2 raw chicken breasts
Remove the chicken breasts from the broth and let them cool slightly. Once cooled, shred the chicken using two forks and set aside.
While the chicken is cooling, using an immersion blender or transferring the soup in batches to a blender, blend the soup until finely puree. Add cilantro leaves and lightly blend the broth again.
Return the blended soup to the pot. Add cooked orzo noodles, ground cumin, and ground coriander.
1 cup orzo noodles, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander
Stir in lime juice and shredded chicken,. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
juice of 1 lime, salt and pepper to taste
Serve hot, garnished with additional chopped cilantro leaves and any other desired toppings, such as lime wedges, avocado slices, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of sour cream.

Video

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Notes

Make it dairy-free: Use coconut milk instead of cream for a dairy-free option.
Spice level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat, or remove the seeds for a milder flavor.
For a thicker soup: Puree part of the soup before adding the orzo, creating a creamy texture without cream.
Add more greens: Stir in extra chopped cilantro leaves at the end for an even fresher flavor.
Storage tip: To prevent orzo from absorbing too much broth, store soup and orzo separately if making ahead.

Nutrition