If you’re longing for a cozy meal that packs a punch of bold flavor and delivers pure comfort, Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots is the answer to your dinnertime dreams. Imagine diving into a creamy, Southwestern-inspired soup, brimming with tender chicken, a rush of gentle heat, and pops of sweet corn, all crowned with a side of ultra-crispy, chili-dusted tater tots. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you’re simply craving something dazzlingly delicious, this one-bowl wonder will win over your entire table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every component of this recipe is simple, purposeful, and full of character. Each ingredient brings its own pop of texture, heat, or creaminess—layering up to make Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots an absolute showstopper.
- Olive Oil: Gives your soup a silky base and helps the tots crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Onion: Starts the flavor foundation with sweet and savory undertones.
- Garlic: Adds a punch of aromatic depth you don’t want to skip.
- Jalapeño: Kicks up the soup’s heat and offers that must-have zing.
- Ground Cumin: Warms up the profile with its earthy spice, balancing all the flavors.
- Smoked Paprika: Lends a subtle smokiness that pairs beautifully with the chicken.
- Oregano: Introduces a gentle herbal layer to lift up the other spices.
- Cayenne Pepper: Just a touch here creates a warming finish; adjust for your preferred heat.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Classic seasoning to make all the ingredients sing.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the comforting, savory foundation of the soup.
- White Beans: Add body and creaminess while soaking in the spices.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: Provides protein and satisfying bite—rotisserie chicken is a perfect shortcut.
- Frozen Corn: Pops of juicy sweetness in every spoonful.
- Cream Cheese: Melts into the broth for irresistible silkiness.
- Half-and-Half or Milk: Lightens and enriches without veering into heaviness.
- Lime Juice: Squeezed at the end for a burst of brightness that wakes up all the flavors.
- Chopped Cilantro: The essential fresh, herbal finish.
- Frozen Tater Tots: The crunchy, comforting companion every bowl needs.
- Chili Powder: For extra savoriness and a smoky kick on the tots.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt: All mashed together to make those tots completely irresistible.
How to Make Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots
Step 1: Prep and Bake Your Seasoned Tots
Start by firing up your oven to 425°F and gathering your tater tots. Toss them generously in olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt to make sure every bite is boldly seasoned. Spread the tots onto a baking sheet and roast them until they’re deeply golden and super crispy, flipping them part way through to ensure all sides are crunchy. The aroma alone will have everyone hanging near the kitchen!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
While the tots bake, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your chopped onion, garlic, and jalapeño, then cook for about 3–4 minutes until they’re soft and wonderfully fragrant. This is the first flavor layer for your Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots, so let it really shine—your soup will thank you for this step!
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly so those spices bloom and get toasty in the oil. The mixture should smell totally irresistible—warming and savory, with a hint of smokiness and heat.
Step 4: Add Broth, Beans, Corn, and Chicken
Pour in your chicken broth, then stir in the white beans, frozen corn, and shredded chicken. Bring it all to a steady simmer, and let it gently bubble for about 10 minutes. The broth will begin soaking up all those punchy flavors, while the beans and chicken turn meltingly tender.
Step 5: Creamy Finishes
Reduce the heat a bit and add cubed cream cheese. Stir until it melts completely, creating a dreamy, thick soup. Pour in the half-and-half (or milk) and let everything simmer a few more minutes until luscious and creamy. For the final flourish, add the lime juice and cilantro—they cut through the richness with a burst of freshness, taking your Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots to the next level.
How to Serve Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots
Garnishes
This soup loves to get all dressed up! Scatter on extra chopped jalapeños for more fire, a sprinkle of shredded cheese for gooey goodness, or even a handful of crunchy tortilla strips for extra texture. A little cilantro or a dollop of sour cream can also add a fantastic finishing touch to your bowl.
Side Dishes
Honestly, the generous side of crispy, seasoned tots is a showstopper all on its own alongside your soup. But if you’re serving a crowd, consider adding a simple green salad, fresh tomato salsa, or a plate of sliced avocados to round out your meal. They’ll keep the meal light, bright, and perfectly balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For a really striking presentation, drop a handful of the tots right into individual bowls of soup for guaranteed crunch with every bite. Or heap them on a platter for sharing. For fun at parties, try serving the soup in mugs or mini cocottes with a skewer of tots perched on top. However you serve it, Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots will be irresistibly inviting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup and tots in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The soup will keep its delicious flavor for up to 3 days, making it a great make-ahead lunch or dinner option—just reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave for a quick meal that’s every bit as cozy the next day.
Freezing
The soup freezes wonderfully! Ladle it (without the tots) into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge. Tots are best made fresh, though, as they may lose their signature crunch after freezing.
Reheating
To reheat the soup, warm it over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to bring back its velvety texture. If it’s extra thick, splash in a bit more chicken broth or milk. For tots, pop them back on a baking sheet and re-crisp at 400°F for about 8–10 minutes, or until sizzling and golden.
FAQs
Can I make Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots less spicy?
Absolutely! Simply reduce or omit the cayenne and jalapeño to mellow out the heat, and you’ll still end up with a deeply flavorful, creamy soup that even spice-shy eaters will love.
What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe lightning fast and extra flavorful, but any leftover cooked chicken—even grilled or poached—will work beautifully in Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots.
Are there dairy-free alternatives?
You can swap the cream cheese and half-and-half for your favorite plant-based versions. Coconut milk or a creamy oat-based option will keep things luscious and satisfying, letting everyone enjoy this soup regardless of dietary preferences.
Can I use different beans?
Definitely! Cannellini, navy, or great northern beans all make perfect substitutes for white beans—choose your favorite or what’s in your pantry.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes! This is a fantastic dish to scale up. Double every ingredient and use a large pot so everyone can snag a big, hearty serving of Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots.
Final Thoughts
Truly, Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots is the kind of meal that always feels like a big, warm hug. If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner everyone will rave about or a fun, crowd-pleasing recipe for your next get-together, give this knockout soup a try. You’ll come back to it again and again, guaranteed!
Print
Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Warm up with a bowl of Spicy White Chicken Soup served alongside seasoned tots for a comforting and satisfying meal. Creamy and flavorful, this soup is perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and minced)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can white beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup frozen corn
- 4 oz cream cheese (cubed)
- ½ cup half-and-half or milk
- juice of ½ lime
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Seasoned Tots:
- 1 (20 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Seasoned Tots: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss frozen tater tots with olive oil and seasonings. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden.
- Soup: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add chicken broth, white beans, corn, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and half-and-half. Simmer 5 more minutes. Finish with lime juice and cilantro. Serve hot with seasoned tots.
Notes
- Top the soup with extra jalapeños, shredded cheese, or tortilla strips for added texture.
- Leftovers are great for lunch the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering, Roasting
- Cuisine: Southwestern-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl soup + 1 cup tots
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
