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I created this street corn soup during a busy season when I needed my slow cooker to do the heavy lifting. The magic happens as sweet corn smoky chipotle tender chicken and crispy bacon come together in a creamy broth. Now it's our favorite way to bring those Mexican street corn flavors to the dinner table without any fuss.
Why This Works
Every spoonful brings creamy comfort with a smoky kick from chipotles balanced by sweet corn and rich cream cheese. The slow cooker does all the work while you're away comes together like magic. Perfect for busy days when you want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Your Shopping List
- Fresh Stuff: Sweet onion tender poblano pepper fresh garlic cloves two good russet potatoes. Look for firm potatoes no soft spots keep the pieces even sized for cooking. Frozen corn works perfectly here sometimes better than fresh especially off season.
- The Heat: Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce bring smoky heat chili powder and cumin add depth. Remember you can always add more heat but cant take it away start gentle.
- Rich Base: Boneless chicken breasts good chicken broth cream cheese gives that perfect silky texture. Fresh bacon for crunchy topping cotija cheese and cilantro make everything pop.
Let's Cook
- Start With Flavor
- Cook those aromatics onion poblano garlic until they're soft and sweet. Add your spices let them wake up in the heat just a minute. This step builds our flavor foundation makes everything better.
- Fill Your Cooker
- Everything goes in chicken corn potatoes those spicy chipotles and broth. Let it cook low and slow gives time for flavors to make friends about 6 hours does it.
- Make It Creamy
- Pull out that chicken shred it up nice then back in the pot. Add cream cheese watch it melt into the broth turning everything silky smooth.
- Top It Right
- Ladle into bowls top with crispy bacon crumbled cotija fresh cilantro squeeze of lime. Each topping brings something special to the party.
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Kitchen Secrets
Save time with rotisserie chicken just shred and add at the end. Adjust heat slowly taste as you go chipotles can pack a punch. Want it thicker? Mash some potatoes against the side of the pot. Need dairy free? Coconut milk works beautifully here keeps that creamy texture.
Serve It Right
Set up a toppings bar let everyone dress their bowl. Extra lime wedges more cheese crispy bacon bits fresh cilantro all make it special. Warm corn tortillas on the side perfect for dunking. Some nights I add diced avocado makes everything extra creamy.
Save Some For Later
Gets even better after a day in the fridge flavors have time to deepen. Freezes beautifully up to three months just leave off toppings. Warm it gentle when ready to eat add splash of broth if needed. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Mix It Up
Try sweet potatoes instead of russet adds nice color and flavor. Stir in black beans for extra protein. Some nights I add roasted corn at the end gives nice charred taste. Want it spicier? Add extra chipotle or splash of hot sauce makes it sing.
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Make It Yours
Play with toppings until you find your perfect combo. My kids skip the spice load up on cheese husband adds extra chipotle. That's what makes soup special finding ways to make it just right for your family while keeping those cozy Mexican flavors alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this spicier?
Use jalapeño instead of poblano and add extra chipotle pepper or adobo sauce.
- → What can I substitute for cotija?
Feta or parmesan make good substitutes. They provide similar salty flavor.
- → Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but add 1-2 hours cooking time. Ensure chicken reaches 165°F.
- → Can I freeze this soup?
Freeze before adding cream cheese. Add dairy when reheating for best texture.