Southwest Chicken And Dumplings
Southwest Chicken and Dumplings combine tender chicken, smoky chiles, and cheesy tortillas in a comforting, flavorful soup perfect for satisfying family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ⓘ
- 6 c. water
- 1 large onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 10 medium size flour tortillas ⓘ
- 1 c. milk ⓘ
- 1 can Old El Paso chopped green chiles ⓘ
- 1 can Old El Paso tomatoes and green chiles ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 1 c. sour cream ⓘ
- 1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 c. grated American cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, boil chicken, onion, salt, and black pepper in water over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the onion is translucent.
- Remove the chicken from the water and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Return the cubed chicken to the boiling water.
- Cut tortillas into 2-inch triangles and drop them into the boiling mixture.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the can of chopped green chiles, can of tomatoes and green chiles, can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, grated Monterey Jack cheese, and grated American cheese, one at a time, stirring after each addition.
- Remove from heat once the cheeses are melted and the mixture is heated through.
- Serve immediately in soup bowls, garnished as desired, with Old El Paso Nachips.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the boiling mixture. If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken can be used instead of boiling fresh chicken. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a healthier option. This recipe can easily be adapted to include other Mexican recipes by adding different vegetables like bell peppers or corn.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Southwest Chicken and Dumplings in deep soup bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro or avocado slices for added flavor. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of Old El Paso Nachips for a crunchy contrast. You can also enjoy it with a simple side salad or Mexican-style rice for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or milk to keep it from drying out. Stir frequently until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Southwest Chicken And Dumplings contains roughly 1854 calories, with 76g protein, 298g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (248% of the Daily Value), iron (187% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and dumpling mixture ahead of time. Simply cook everything up to step 7 and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, reheat it on the stove and add the cheese until melted.
What can I substitute for flour tortillas?
If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. Cut them into triangles as directed in the recipe. Alternatively, you could use biscuit dough for a different texture and flavor.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, consider incorporating additional chopped green chiles or a few dashes of hot sauce during the cooking process. You can also add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for extra depth and spice.
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).