Creamy Blanco (White) Taco Soup

Hearty and creamy, this chicken taco soup recipe is packed with delicious layers of flavor. 

Creamy Blanco (White) Taco Soup    About 6 servings

3 tablespoons butter

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 medium red or orange pepper, diced 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Kosher salt & coarse black pepper to taste

2 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk or half & half

1 (4 oz.) can mild green chiles

1/2 pkg. (4 oz.) cream cheese

2 cups (8 oz) cooked, shredded chicken

1 1/2 cups frozen corn (could use a drained can of corn or even creamed corn)

1/3 cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro

About 1 cup chicken broth

Toppings: grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, etc.

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers; cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes, adding the garlic the last 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Add cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and flour. Cook for a couple of minutes to avoid a raw flour taste.
3. Slowly add the milk, stirring to create a smooth mixture. Add the green chilies, cream cheese, chicken and corn; continue to cook, allowing the mixture to thicken.  
   
   
   
4. Add the cilantro and as much chicken broth as needed for a soup-like consistency. Simmer for at least 5 minutes or longer to meld flavors. Or, transfer to a slow cooker, set on low, if making the soup a few hours ahead. 
   
   
   
5. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, or toppings of your choice. 
   
   
   

Recipe without photos . . .

Creamy Blanco (White) Taco Soup    About 6 servings

3 tablespoons butter

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 medium red or orange pepper, diced 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Kosher salt & coarse black pepper to taste

2 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk or half & half

1 (4 oz.) can mild green chiles

1/2 pkg. (4 oz.) cream cheese

2 cups (8 oz) cooked, shredded chicken

1 1/2 cups frozen corn (could use a drained can of corn or even creamed corn)

1/3 cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro

About 1 cup chicken broth

Toppings: grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, etc.

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers; cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes, adding the garlic the last 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Add cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and flour. Cook for a couple of minutes to avoid a raw flour taste.
3. Slowly add the milk, stirring to create a smooth mixture. Add the green chilies, cream cheese, chicken and corn; continue to cook, allowing the mixture to thicken.  Add the cilantro and as much chicken broth as needed for a soup-like consistency. 
4. Simmer for at least 5 minutes or longer to meld flavors. Or, transfer to a slow cooker, set on low, if making the soup a few hours ahead. 
5. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, or toppings of your choice.