Black Bean And Smoked Chicken Soup
A hearty black bean and smoked chicken soup packed with smoky, savory flavors, vegetables, and herbs—perfect for comforting meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans, undrained ⓘ
- Light vegetable oil cooking spray
- 1/2 cup peeled and chopped broccoli stems ⓘ
- 1/2 cup scraped and cubed carrot ⓘ
- 1 cup scraped and cubed celery ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dried basil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons barbecue sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken stock ⓘ
- 12 ounces evaporated skim milk ⓘ
- 2 cups broccoli florets ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cold water ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place a heavy stockpot over medium heat for about 1 minute, then spray it twice with vegetable oil cooking spray.
- Add the broccoli stems, carrot, celery, and onion to the pot.
- Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Stir in the thyme, basil, and white wine.
- Simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the wine has been reduced by half.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a smoked paprika or using smoked chicken instead of regular chicken breast. If you don’t have dry white wine, you can substitute with chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar. Make sure to rinse the black beans if you prefer a less intense flavor. This soup can also be made vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable stock instead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple side salad, such as a Chicken Stack-Up Salad for a hearty meal. For an extra kick, offer lime wedges or additional Tabasco sauce on the side. You can also top with avocado slices for creaminess.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over medium heat until heated through. If the soup thickens too much upon cooling, add a splash of chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency. This soup also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Black Bean And Smoked Chicken Soup contains roughly 1457 calories, with 51g protein, 272g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (177% of the Daily Value), and iron (132% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1466mg per serving (64% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned chicken instead of fresh chicken breast?
Yes, you can substitute canned chicken for fresh chicken breast in this recipe. However, add it towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking. Canned chicken is already cooked, so it just needs to be heated through. Adjust seasonings to taste as well.
What can I substitute for evaporated skim milk?
If you don't have evaporated skim milk, you can use regular milk or a non-dairy alternative like almond milk. For a creamier texture, consider using half-and-half or coconut milk, but keep in mind that this will alter the flavor. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To increase the heat level, you can add more Tabasco sauce or include diced jalapeños when cooking the vegetables. Additionally, incorporating some crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper will enhance the spiciness without overwhelming the other flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).