Description
This Spicy Jalapeño Popper Soup is a creamy, flavorful soup inspired by the classic jalapeño popper appetizer. Featuring crispy bacon, diced jalapeños, cream cheese, and a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, this comforting soup balances heat and richness perfectly, making it an ideal dish for cool days or when you crave a hearty, spicy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4–5 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced (leave some seeds for extra heat if desired)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese
- Sliced jalapeños
- Green onions
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot for cooking the vegetables.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and jalapeños to the bacon fat in the pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for about 1 minute. This step cooks out the raw flour taste and prepares the mixture to thicken the soup.
- Incorporate chicken broth: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add cream cheese: Stir in the cubed cream cheese and continue stirring until it is fully melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Finish with cream and cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until they melt completely and blend into the soup, creating a rich texture.
- Season and simmer: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with optional crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, or green onions for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and reduce the amount of cheese slightly.
- To achieve a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup before adding the cream and cheese.
- Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to make the soup gluten-free.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños and seeds to control the heat level to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
