Skinny One-Pot Chicken Fajita Soup (Print Version)

Light, flavorful one-pot soup with tender chicken, bell peppers, zucchini, and fajita spices—ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), sliced thinly

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 medium green zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices

→ Liquids

08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
17 - Juice of 1 lime
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the garlic, bell peppers, and zucchini, and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the sliced chicken breasts and cook, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until the chicken is just opaque.
05 - Pour in the diced tomatoes with juices and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 15–18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice and chopped fresh cilantro.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Ladle into bowls and garnish with additional cilantro.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's genuinely filling: The chicken and vegetables make this feel substantial, not like you're eating a side dish for dinner.
  • Fajita spices do the heavy lifting: You get all that Tex-Mex flavor without cream or cheese, which somehow makes it taste even richer.
  • One pot means one cleanup: Everything happens in the same vessel, so you're done with dishes before your leftovers have cooled.
02 -
  • Don't skip the spice-blooming step: That one minute of cooking the spices in the hot pan is the difference between tasting like seasoned soup and tasting like actual fajitas.
  • Add the lime juice after heat is off: I learned this when I added it too early and wondered why the brightness disappeared—the heat cooks away that citrus magic.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken against the grain: This one detail makes the difference between tender pieces and stringy, chewy bits.
  • Taste as you go: Low-sodium broth means you're in control of salt, so check the seasoning at the end and don't be shy about adjusting.
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