Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

By Stephanie Manley Published December 16, 2019, Last Updated May 23, 2025

The first spoonful of this discontinued Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup is a revelation. What starts as skepticism about a “healthy menu option” quickly transforms into complete devotion to this perfectly balanced bowl of comfort. This isn’t your typical bland diet soup. Instead, it’s a masterful combination of smoky chipotle peppers, tender chicken, and satisfying hominy that delivers restaurant-quality flavor while keeping things surprisingly light and nutritious. The secret lies in building layers of Southwest flavors that create depth without relying on heavy cream or excessive sodium.

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Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup succeeds because it balances bold flavors with clean eating principles. The chicken gets seared first, develops fondness in the pot, and becomes the flavor foundation. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce provide smoky heat, while hominy adds a satisfying texture that makes this soup surprisingly filling. The one-pot cooking method allows flavors to meld naturally while keeping cleanup minimal.

Ingredients

Cooked chicken breast – Provides lean protein and creates the hearty base that makes this soup so satisfying
White onion – Builds aromatic foundation and adds natural sweetness when sautéed
Celery – Contributes fresh crunch and classic soup vegetable flavor
Tomato paste – Concentrates tomato flavor and adds richness without extra liquid
White hominy – Creates unique chewy texture and adds filling corn flavor
Green chilies – Provides mild heat and authentic Southwest pepper taste
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – Delivers signature smoky heat and complex flavor depth
Fresh tomatoes – Adds brightness and natural acidity to balance rich flavors
Fresh lime juice – Brightens all flavors and adds essential citrus component
Tortilla strips – Creates textural contrast and authentic Mexican soup garnish
Fresh cilantro – Provides fresh herb finish and classic Southwest flavor accent

Ingredient Notes

Chipotle chiles are dried smoked jalapeño peppers. Adobo is a tangy, slightly sweet red sauce. Put them together, and you have an irresistible combination.

This recipe uses white hominy. If you’re not familiar with hominy, you’re not likely to forget it! These big kernels of corn are puffy and chewy with a very unique flavor owing to a special processing technique.

How to Make Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

Season chicken breast with salt. Cook the chicken breast with oil in a large pot over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
Remove the chicken from the pot, and shred the chicken when cool to the touch.
Place one tablespoon of vegetable oil in the same pot where the chicken was cooked.
Sauté garlic and onion until the onion is translucent.
Add celery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add tomato paste and stir well. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, then add chicken stock.
Add chipotle peppers, hominy, green chilies, diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken. Cook until the soup has heated through.
Add a squeeze of lime juice and about 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro.
Garnish soup with fried corn tortilla strips, chopped cilantro, and shredded cheese if desired.

Not only is this southwestern chicken soup recipe amazingly delicious, but it is also so simple to throw together. In no time, you will have perfect winter comfort in a bowl.

I love mine with fried tortilla chips on top, but you could skip the tortilla strips and serve the soup with cornbread for a hearty, comforting meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in airtight containers. The flavors actually improve overnight as they continue to meld. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra stock if needed to achieve desired consistency.