BBQ Chicken Soup Recipe

Introduction

This BBQ Chicken Soup is a smoky, hearty dish that combines tender chicken with vibrant vegetables and a touch of barbecue sauce. It’s a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for any day you want something both warm and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 can (14 oz / 400g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (7 oz / 200g) sweetcorn, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken stock
• ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
3. Step 3: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the diced onion, carrot, and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the BBQ sauce and stir to combine everything well.
6. Step 6: Add the pinto beans, sweetcorn, and chicken stock. Stir to combine, then bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
7. Step 7: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped red onion and extra parsley.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.
• Swap pinto beans for black beans or kidney beans based on your preference.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the beans before adding them to the pot to create a creamier texture.
• Use leftover cooked chicken instead of raw chicken breast to reduce cooking time.

Storage

Store leftover BBQ Chicken Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This soup also freezes well for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this soup and tend to stay juicier during cooking. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces as you would the breast.

Is this soup spicy?

This soup is mildly smoky and savory from the BBQ sauce and spices, but not spicy. You can add cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you prefer some heat.

BBQ Chicken Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 83 reviews

This hearty BBQ Chicken Soup combines tender chicken breast with smoky BBQ sauce, colorful vegetables, and protein-rich pinto beans to create a comforting and flavorful meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this soup is easy to prepare on the stovetop and offers a delightful twist on traditional chicken soup with its smoky and slightly sweet BBQ flavor profile.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken & Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

Canned & Liquids

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 can (14 oz / 400g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (7 oz / 200g) sweetcorn, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken stock

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
2. Brown the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add diced onion, carrot, and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Combine Chicken & BBQ Sauce: Return the browned chicken to the pot and pour in the BBQ sauce. Stir to combine thoroughly so the chicken is well coated.
6. Add Beans, Corn & Stock: Add the drained pinto beans, sweetcorn, and chicken stock to the pot. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
7. Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
8. Finish & Serve: Stir in the roughly chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with extra fresh parsley and chopped red onion for added texture and freshness.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture, but cook times may vary slightly.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some hot sauce when adding the BBQ sauce.
• Use low-sodium chicken stock and BBQ sauce if watching sodium intake.
• This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and also freezes nicely for up to 2 months.
• To add more depth, sprinkle some smoked paprika or chipotle powder on top before serving.

Keywords: BBQ chicken soup, smoky chicken soup, hearty chicken soup, easy chicken soup recipe, pinto bean soup, autumn soup recipe