The One Pot Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup brings everything you love about sizzling fajitas into a warm, comforting bowl. This dish is brimming with tender chicken, smoky spices, colorful peppers, and fluffy rice all simmered together to perfection. What makes this soup shine is its simplicity. Cooked in a single pot, it’s both convenient and bursting with layered flavors. The smoky paprika, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fresh lime juice create a bold yet balanced broth that’s hard to resist. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you’re craving a taste of Tex-Mex with minimal cleanup, this soup will be a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 large onion, diced
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1 red bell pepper, chopped
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1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
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1 poblano pepper, chopped
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon ground cumin
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1 tablespoon chili powder
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1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon ground coriander
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1 (14 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
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6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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¾ cup long grain white rice
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1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
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Juice of 1 lime
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1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
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Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla strips
Directions:
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Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sear 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
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Add remaining oil to the pot. Sauté onions and peppers until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and all seasonings and cook 1 minute.
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Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, green chilies, broth, and rice. Bring to a boil.
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Return chicken to pot, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
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Remove chicken, shred, and return to the pot. Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Adjust seasoning if needed.
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Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 375 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Everything You Need to Know About One Pot Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup
When it comes to wholesome, hearty meals that combine bold flavors, comfort, and ease of preparation, few dishes can compete with One Pot Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup. It’s a modern twist on two classics Mexican chicken fajitas and homestyle rice soup blended seamlessly in a single pot. The result? A smoky, spicy, soul-warming soup that satisfies every time.
Whether you’re in the mood for something cozy on a rainy day, need a quick weeknight dinner, or you’re meal prepping for the week ahead, this dish offers flavor and function. Let’s take a deeper dive into what makes this soup special, how it evolved, and why it deserves a regular spot in your dinner rotation.
The Origins: From Tex-Mex to Soup Pot
The roots of this dish are inspired by chicken fajitas, a Tex-Mex staple known for sizzling peppers, onions, and seasoned meat served with tortillas. The term “fajita” refers to strips of meat, traditionally skirt steak, but chicken has become a widely loved substitute.
By transforming these ingredients into a soup, the recipe cleverly adapts fajitas into a spoonable, broth-based comfort food. It’s a brilliant way to stretch ingredients, simplify cleanup, and make a meal that’s both nutritious and deeply satisfying. The use of fajita seasoning think cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder gives the broth that unmistakable southwestern kick.
Why One Pot Meals are a Weeknight Hero
If you’re a busy parent, a student with limited kitchen time, or someone who simply doesn’t love a pile of dishes after dinner, one pot meals are a game-changer. They simplify both the cooking and cleaning process. Everything from searing the chicken, sautéing the vegetables, and simmering the broth happens in a single Dutch oven or large soup pot.
The convenience factor doesn’t mean a compromise in flavor. In fact, one-pot cooking often enhances it. Ingredients meld together over time, absorbing spices and aromatics into every bite. The rice in this soup not only adds bulk, making it extra filling, but it also soaks up the deeply spiced broth, making each spoonful rich and robust.
Nutritional Benefits: A Balanced Bowl
One Pot Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup isn’t just tasty it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. Let’s break down some of the key health benefits:
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Lean Protein: Chicken breast is a lean source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair, immune function, and energy.
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Colorful Vegetables: Bell peppers and onions are rich in vitamins C and A, antioxidants, and fiber.
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Whole Grains (optional): If you swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa, you’ll get added fiber and sustained energy release.
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Anti-Inflammatory Spices: Cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika not only enhance flavor but also have digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Low in Processed Ingredients: Making this soup from scratch means you control what goes in no excess sodium, preservatives, or hidden sugars.
This dish is easily adaptable to be gluten-free and dairy-free, and with a few swaps, it can be made low-carb or even vegetarian.
Flavor Profile: What to Expect
The first thing you’ll notice when you lift the lid on this soup is its vibrant aroma. The smoky heat from paprika and chili powder, the sweetness of caramelized onions, and the earthiness of cumin create a scent that’s hard to resist.
The broth is tomato-forward but balanced by lime juice and a hint of green chili tang. The rice adds body and comfort, while the shredded chicken brings satisfying bites. Cilantro at the end offers a fresh finish that cuts through the richness.
Optional toppings like avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, or tortilla strips add texture and creaminess, enhancing the Tex-Mex theme and allowing each eater to personalize their bowl.
Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy It Best
Here are a few creative and classic ways to serve this soup:
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With Warm Cornbread: The sweet and savory contrast of cornbread pairs beautifully with the bold spices of the soup.
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Side of Tortilla Chips: Use them for dipping or as a crunchy topping.
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Top It Off: Offer a topping bar with sour cream, jalapeños, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and shredded cheese for a customizable experience.
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As a Main Dish or Starter: It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but you can serve it in smaller portions as a starter for a Mexican-themed dinner night.
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Meal Prep: This soup holds up well in the fridge and freezer, making it an excellent choice for preparing in advance.
Variations and Customizations
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can tailor it to your preferences, dietary restrictions, or what you have in your pantry.
Low-Carb Version:
Replace rice with cauliflower rice or omit it altogether for a lighter, low-carb alternative.
Vegetarian Fajita Soup:
Swap the chicken for black beans or chickpeas and use vegetable broth. Add extra vegetables like zucchini or corn for added texture and nutrition.
Extra Creamy:
Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk at the end for a richer, velvety finish.
Spicy Boost:
Add jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo, or a dash of cayenne to turn up the heat.
Cheese-Lover’s Dream:
Melt in some shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese directly into the soup for added richness and depth.
Conclusion:
One Pot Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup is more than just a cozy meal it’s a fusion of Tex-Mex inspiration and smart, efficient cooking. It proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With its robust flavor, nourishing ingredients, and adaptable nature, this soup is a true winner for families, solo cooks, and anyone who wants to put a flavorful meal on the table fast.
Whether you’re savoring it fresh off the stove or pulling it out of the freezer on a busy day, this recipe brings warmth, spice, and satisfaction to every spoonful. Try it once, and it just might become your new go-to soup.