Keto Creamy Jalapeno Popper Chicken Soup with Bacon

Recipe Overview & Cooking Metrics

Equipment Needed

• 5-quart heavy Dutch oven or soup pot
• Slotted spoon and plate lined with paper towels
• Silicone whisk
• Digital kitchen thermometer

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds cooked shredded chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
• 3 large fresh jalapenos, seeded and finely diced (reserve 1 sliced for garnish)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken bone broth
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons fresh green scallions, sliced

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Place a 5-quart heavy Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a plate, leaving 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pot.
2. Add finely diced jalapenos to the hot bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
3. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir for 60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in 4 cups chicken bone broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
5. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in cubed cream cheese piece by piece until completely melted and smooth into the broth.
6. Gradually add 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, whisking continuously on low heat until cheese is fully incorporated without boiling.
7. Fold in cooked shredded chicken and half of the crispy bacon. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until chicken is hot and registers 165°F (74°C).
8. Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with remaining crispy bacon, sliced jalapeno rounds, and sliced fresh scallions.

Explore Related Winter Comfort Classics

Expand your weeknight menu with these double-tested recipes from our Comfort Zone Chicken Hub:

• Scratch Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup: Classic homestyle egg noodles in rich mirepoix broth.
• Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder with Bacon: Sweet corn and tender potatoes in savory bacon fat roux.
• Authentic Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde: Hominy and roasted tomatillo broth with radishes and lime.
• Master Chicken Internal Temperature Guide: USDA safety guidelines for every poultry cut.

Frequently Asked Questions