Description
Spicy Jalapeño Popper Soup is a creamy, flavorful soup inspired by the classic appetizer. It features crispy bacon, sautéed jalapeños for a spicy kick, cream cheese and cheddar for richness, and a smoky hint of paprika. Perfect for warming up on chilly days and garnished with extra cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced jalapeños for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 fresh jalapeños, seeded and chopped (leave some seeds for extra heat, if desired)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Extra shredded cheese
- Crumbled bacon
- 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 with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and chopped jalapeños to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste, stirring constantly.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Add the softened, cubed cream cheese to the pot and stir until it melts and the soup becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Cream: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and smoked paprika. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently until fully combined and creamy.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with the reserved crispy bacon and any optional toppings such as extra shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, or green onions.
Notes
- For a spicier version, leave in more jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup for a smoother texture.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting bacon and substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- For a gluten-free option, replace flour with cornstarch.
