Homemade Easy Chicken Fajita Soup

This easy chicken fajita soup combines fajita spices with chicken, black beans and rice to create a light and flavorful addition for any time of day!

Easy Chicken Fajita Soup

Easy Chicken Fajita Soup

Course Soup
Servings 12 1-cup servings
Calories 234 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried black beans
  • 1 cup dry rice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped (2 cups)
  • 2 onions, chopped (2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp)
  • cups chicken broth
  • 2 large tomatoes, chopped (2 cups)
  • 1 tb chili powder or to taste
  • tsp ground cumin
  • tsp paprika
  • ¾ tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp dried cilantro
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 tbsp lime juice

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours.  Drain and rinse.
  • Add 2 cups of water and beans to a saucepan.  Turn heat to medium.  Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough water to keep beans from scorching. 
  • Prepare rice according to the directions listed on the package.
  • (NOTE:  The above steps can be done ahead.  Store beans and rice tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.  Add bell peppers and onion.  Saute for 3 minutes then add garlic.  Saute for 1-2 minutes longer.
  • Pour chicken broth and tomatoes into the pot.  Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cilantro, salt and pepper. 
  • Add chicken and bring to a light boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chicken has cooked through and internal temperature registers at 160℉, 10-15 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes.  Cut it into small strips.  
  • Return chicken to pot along with rice, beans and lime juice.
  • Reheat if necessary and serve with shredded cheese, if desired.
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  Be sure to subtract any days that you stored the cooked beans and/or rice before making soup.
  • Hack: Freeze leftover portions sealed in serving-sized portions for future use for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  One 15 oz can of black beans can be substituted for the dried beans in this recipe.  Drain, rinse and add to the pot.
  • Hack:  One 15 oz can of diced tomatoes can be substituted for the fresh tomatoes.  
  • Hack:  2 cups of cooked chicken can be substituted for the chicken breast. 
  • Hack: Dehydrated vegetables can be used in this recipe!
Keyword chicken, chicken rice, chicken soup, easy, fajita, homemade soup, low calorie, Mexican, soup

Did you know?  Although the term fajita was not used to refer to a food item until 1971, the dish itself was made popular in the 30s in Texas.  Migrant workers received meat scraps as a part of their pay and this would have been one of the ways they made them into a meal!

Suggestion:  Serve this soup with some freshly made authentic naan flatbread!

Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa)

Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa) is easy to make and a great addition to any gathering buffet! Mix it with guacamole for an extra special treat.

Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa)
Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa)

Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa)

 

4 plum tomatoes (1 lb or 3 cups chopped)

½ large onion (1 cup chopped)

1 jalapeno pepper (optional)

1 clove garlic (1 tsp minced)

½ cup fresh cilantro (or 3 tbsp dried)

2 tbsp lime juice

½ tsp salt

⅛ tsp pepper

 

Chop tomatoes into small dice.  Mince onion, jalapeno, and garlic.  Add all to a mixing bowl.

Stir in cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Refrigerate and allow to rest for one hour for flavors to combine.

Serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

 

6 servings, 25 calories per serving (pico de gallo only)

 

Hack:  Serve with or mix in Easy Guacamole Dip for a hearty and tasty appetizer or snack!


Hack: 
Serve over tacos, enchiladas or in burritos and quesadillas.  Also, cook with scrambled eggs or rice!

Easy Guacamole Dip in Cucumber Boats

Easy guacamole dip in cucumber boats is a low-carb snack that’s rich in nutrition and healthy fats…oh, and it tastes great!

Easy Guacamole Dip in Cucumber Boats

Easy Guacamole Dip in Cucumber Boats

Course Snack
Servings 2
Calories 175 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed
  • ¾ tsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp minced onion
  • 1 tsp freshly chopped cilantro or ⅓ tsp dried cilantro
  • ½ tsp minced garlic
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, split lengthwise with seed removed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mix avocado, lime juice, onion, cilantro and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper on cucumber and fill “boat” with guacamole.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Hack: Place any leftover guacamole in a sealable bag. Roll to press out as much air as possible and seal tightly. Store in refrigerator for up to two days.
  • Hack: Fresh herbs can easily be frozen. Lay flat in a single layer and freeze. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and seal tightly. Store in the freezer for up to 12 months. Alternately, herbs can be chopped and placed in ice cubes trays. Cover in oil and freeze for future use.
Keyword appetizer, avocado, buffet food, cucumber, cucumber boats, dip, homemade quacamole, hors d'oeuvres, Mexican, picnic food, quacamole

Ever wonder how to tell if an avocado is ripe?  How long it will be good after you buy it?  Check out these tips to find out!

Suggestion: Serve this with or mix it with Simple Pico de Gallo (Easy Fresh Salsa) for an extra special treat!

Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad

This healthy Mexican avocado salad recipe brings together chicken, avocado and Mexican spices for a delicious entree that makes a great lunch or supper!

Mexican Avocado Salad

Mexican Avocado Salad

Course Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 3
Calories 487 kcal

Ingredients
  

Lime Dressing /Marinade:

  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Chicken:

  • 14 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
  • ½ tsp chipotle powder
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Salsa:

  • ¾ cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ red onion, finely chopped

Salad:

  • 1 tsp dried cilantro
  • 5 cups romaine lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces

Instructions
 

  • Place lime dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake to mix.
  • Put 2 tbsp dressing in a sealable sandwich bag. Add chipotle, oregano and cumin. Shake bag to mix and add chicken. Marinade overnight.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 160͒, about 4 minutes on each side. Let rest for 5 minutes and slice.
  • Add 1 tbsp cilantro to dressing and shake to mix.
  • Place corn, avocado, tomato and onion in a bowl. Add remaining cilantro, half of remaining dressing and toss to coat.
  • Place lettuce in a bowl and toss with remaining dressing. Top with salsa and sliced chicken.
  • Hack: If you plan to eat this over several days, do not assemble salad until ready to eat. Put serving-size portions of salsa in sealable sandwich bags and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Put the bags in a covered container. The absence of air and light will keep the avocado from browning.
  • Hack: To keep lettuce romaine lettuce fresh longer, separate leaves and wash. Dry in a salad spinner or with paper towels. Place lettuce leaves in a sealable plastic bag or container with paper towels between each layer to absorb moisture. Replace paper towels if they become soggy.
  • Hack: Shop the salad bar if you just need a small amount of an item that you don’t think you’ll use again before it “goes over”.
Keyword avocado, chicken, entree salad, gluten-free, lime marinade, lime salad dressing, low carb, Mexican, salad, salad greens, salsa

Ever wonder how to tell if an avocado is ripe?  How long will it be good after you buy it?  Check out these tips to find out!

Suggestion:  Italian herb focaccia bread would pair nicely with this salad!

 

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Follow by Email
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram