Healthy and hearty – this Chicken Black Bean Soup is made in one pot with just nine ingredients and ready in under 25 minutes. Featuring plump black beans simmered in a flavorful salsa infused broth with plenty of tender white meat chicken, this soup recipe is quick and easy to prepare – without sacrificing flavor!
Featured comment: Our family loves your soup recipe!” -Melissa
Read on to get all of my tips for making your black bean soup with chicken perfectly flavorful, plus some of our favorite ways to use it!
Update: This post was originally published in January 2017. I made edits to the photos and added a step-by-step recipe video to show you JUST how easy this black bean soup with chicken is to make at home!
Hello, friends! Happy second week of the New Year! A friend recently reminded me that January is National Soup Month. This is excellent news because I happen to have a whole bunch of cozy, warming, belly-filling soups to share with you guys. And, we are going to start this soup party with one of my personal favorite soups of all time – black beans soup with chicken. YUM!
About this black bean chicken soup
Make that super SPEEDY and ridiculously EASY black bean and chicken soup. This recipe is ready, from prep to finish in 25 minutes or less. And, made in just one pot. Did you just lose your mind? Don’t worry about finding it, because YES, you absolutely read all that correctly. This black beans chicken soup is ridiculous in the very best way.
Featuring smoky, earthy, savory and cozy comforting flavors, this crazy easy soup has a silky, salsa-broth base with chunks of chicken and heaps of black beans.
If you want to take things to the next level of yum (because ummm who DOESN’T?), I highly suggest you load it up with ALL the toppings – diced avocado, sliced green onions, shredded cheese, crunchy tortilla strips, sliced jalapenos and a dollop (or three) of sour cream.
Hearty, yet healthy and loaded with flavor, this black bean and chicken soup has swiftly become my family’s cozy soup favorite.
Why you’ll love this soup recipe!
- Ridiculously quick. Move aside 30 minute meals, this soup is ready in under 25.
- Ridiculously easy. One pot and simple ingredients are all you need to get this bean and chicken soup on the table.
- And, ridiculously delicious. This recipe has been duplicated many times, but never perfectly replicated. Get the original here!
What is chicken and black bean soup?
Black bean soup is a simple soup traditionally made with black beans, broth or stock, flavorful spices and fresh aromatics. It’s an easy and economical soup recipe to prepare at home and you can use either canned or dry beans.
Variations include this chicken and black beans soup, which involves the addition of tender white meat chicken and diced tomatoes (salsa).
Ingredients in black beans chicken soup
The ingredients for this black beans chicken soup are super simple to find. In fact, you may already have most of these ingredients in your pantry. If not, don’t worry. You can locate all these ingredients in any well-stocked grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Oil – You’ll just need your regular olive oil for sautéing.
- Aromatics – A medium yellow onion and fresh garlic cloves lend a depth of flavor.
- Spices – A combination of cumin, chili powder, kosher salt and ground black pepper all provide flavor.
- Black beans – Black beans are the start of this soup recipe. You can use either dried beans that you have cooked at home, or a can of black beans, depending upon your preference.
- Chicken – This recipe calls for cooked chicken breast. However, chicken thighs work fine as well. Thighs are more flavorful and tend to be slightly cheaper, depending upon where you do your grocery shopping.
- Salsa – This easy soup skips the prepwork of de-seeding and dicing fresh tomatoes. Instead, you’ll just need to pop open a can of tomato salsa. I recommend chunky salsas for the best results.
- Substitution: Feel free to seed and dice fresh tomatoes instead.
- Stock – Low-sodium stock lends a richer mouthfeel than broth, which is why this recipe calls for vegetable or chicken stock.
- Substitution: A bullion cube is the best substitution here; however, chicken broth and veggie broth are fine too.
- Herbs – Fresh cilantro adds a touch of vibrant freshness that finishes this soup perfectly.
- Substitution: If you’re averse to cilantro, swap in fresh parsley
Variations
- Spice it up: If you like your soup with a little heat, try using a hot or medium salsa instead of mild.
- Spicy Peppers – This black bean soup has a Southwestern-flare so it lends its self well to spicy flavors. Another way to turn up the spicy heat is by throwing adding in chile peppers. Diced jalapeno peppers, poblano peppers, or even serrano peppers work great.
- How to add it to recipe – Add the peppers along with the onions in step one of the recipe.
- All the flavor – I encourage you to play around with this chicken bean soup recipe and make it your own. Earthy spices and seasonings such as ground coriander and oregano pair well here.
- Veggies – Fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels and red bell peppers are one of my favorite additions to this soup.
- How to add it to recipe – Add the corn and bell pepper along with the black beans in step 2 of the recipe.
Tips for the best black beans chicken soup
- Salsa: I highly recommend you use a chunky salsa in this chicken black bean soup recipe. Also, the salsa lends robust flavor to this soup, so make sure you are using a store-bought or homemade recipe you love. If I’m buying salsa for this soup recipe I like tend to use Tostitos Cantina Roasted Garlic. I’m not getting paid to say that, I’m just being honest.
- Chicken: This southwest chicken and black bean soup calls for cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked chicken, or leftover cooked chicken breasts are your easiest option. Or, you can do I what I do for meal prepping and slow cook or poach a bunch of chicken breasts to have on hand for easy meals like this soup.
- Dry Beans: You can swap out the can of beans for dried black beans instead. However, you’ll need to soak and cook them in advance.
- Adjust to taste: I always recommend playing around with the recipe and making it your own. Try new seasonings, swap out the chicken breast for dark meat chicken thigh, and play around with your toppings to customize this black beans soup to your specific tastes.
Serving chicken soup with black beans
This chicken and black bean soup is hearty enough to serve as a stand-alone meal, especially if you load it up with toppings. However, it pairs great with bread, leafy salads, and more. Below are some of my family’s favorite dishes to accompany this soup.
- All the toppings. Garnishes add color, texture, and delicious flavor to a soup. Basically, toppings can make a soup go from good to exceptional. A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, crushed tortilla chips, chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, grated Mexican cheese, jalapeno coins, and avocado are all perfect toppers for a bowl of this piping hot soup.
- Chips, Dip and Guac: Since this black bean and chicken soup has a distinct Mexican-flare, salty chips, pico de gallo and a bowl of guacamole are always a welcome pairing option.
- Bread: I’m partial to cheesy jalapeno cornbread here; however, any crusty bread works well with soup.
- Salads: Anything from your favorite simple side salad, jalapeno coleslaw, or coleslaw Mexican, to Mexican corn salad, Mexican beans salad, cucumber and avocado salad, and tomato salad work perfectly here.
- Beans: Make it a bean celebration and pair your soup with more beans! These recipes get my vote: Black Taco Beans, Cuban style black beans, Black Bean Veggie Burger.
Cozy, comforting, quick and easy, this Black Bean & Chicken Soup is the perfect way to celebrate National Soup Month.
Until next week friends, cheers! To soup-erb eats!
Cheyanne
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More soups with beans!
One Pot Easy Chicken & Black Bean Soup Recipe. (Plus, step-by-step video!) 👇
Black Bean Soup with Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven or Large Soup Pot
Ingredients
- 1 TBS Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion – diced (SEE NOTES)
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 2 tsp EACH: Ground Cumin & Chili Powder
- 2 (15 ounce) cans Black Beans – rinsed and drained
- 2 Cups Chunky Salsa (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 Cups Low Sodium Vegetable Stock
- 3 Cups Cooked Chicken – shredded or chopped
- 1/3 Cup Fresh Cilantro – chopped, plus more for garnish
- Kosher Salt and Pepper
- Optional Garnishes: Diced Avocado, Sliced Green Onions, Sour Cream, Sliced Jalapeños, Shredded Cheese, Tortilla Strips
Instructions
- Saute onions and aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the onions to the pot and season generously with salt and pepper. Sauté, stirring often, until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add in garlic, ground cumin and chili powder. Sauté, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add in remaining ingredients, except cilantro: Add the black beans, salsa, stock and cooked chicken to the pot. Stir to combine and then increase heat to high to bring the soup to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add herbs, adjust taste: Add in the fresh cilantro and stir to combine. Taste the black bean chicken soup and adjust for seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle the warm soup into serving bowls and top with optional garnishes. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Salsa: I highly recommend you use a salsa on the chunky side and if you are purchasing it, versus making it, buy one you love. The salsa is a large part of this recipe, so just make sure you are using one you adore. If I’m buying my salsa for this soup I like this brand and flavor – Tostitos Cantina Roasted Garlic. I’m not getting paid to say that, I’m just being honest. 😉
- Chicken: For the chicken, you can make your own or purchase cooked chicken. And, you can either use chicken breast or dark meat in this recipe. Rotisserie chicken comes in handy here. Or, you can do what I do and slow cook, or sous vide, a bunch of chicken breasts to have on hand for easy meals like these.
- Spicy soup: If you like your soup with a little heat, you can either use a spicy salsa, or you can add a diced jalapeno to the soup at the same time you add the onion.
Nutrition
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Well, I graduated in 1968, and this is one of the best quick and nutritious recipes I’ve run across in quite some time. I used a store-bought salsa with a lot of corn in it (it was pretty spicy in its own right) but the flavors blended perfectly with the soup, and my wife and I enjoyed the heck out of it! I did not use salt because of medical issues, and it was still great! I would have added a touch of lime juice, but it was too late to go to the store so…
Hi Mike,
I’m honored you decided to try this soup recipe and beyond thrilled both you and your wife enjoyed it! Using salsa with corn in it sounds fabulous – thank you for sharing that delicious idea! And thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful week!
Best,
Cheyanne
Our family loves your soup recipe!
I was wondering…about the calories…seems high for this soup.
I see other similar recipes and it’s more around 250 a serving.
Are you counting the add in like avocado and sour cream to your count?
Thanks
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I’m so thrilled you and your family love this soup!!!
I ran all the ingredients through the nutrition calculator again and I came up with 432 calories per serving (based on 4 servings) over and over again. Please note that the nutritional values are approximations since the actual values will depend on the products you use.
I took a look at a few other chicken and black bean soup recipes with their nutrition and any recipe stating 250 calories (or around there) are based on 6 or 7 servings. This recipe is based on 4 servings, so if I was to base this recipe on 6 or 7 servings as well, the values would look very similar.
Oh, and to answer your other question, the nutritional information does not include any garnishes or add-ins.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!! I am always here to help! Cheers!
All the best,
Cheyanne
This is wonderful. I love vibrant flavors in the winter – they make me feel less like hibernating. Love how this recipe marries cozy with vibrant!
My goodness, does this soup look amazing! I have this stupid head cold that just won’t quit so I’m craving hot comforting soup like crazy! This baby looks like it’s making an appearance for dinner this weekend! YUM!!!
Chey, I like when you update the previously posted recipes. Because your recipes like wine get only better with age (Well I know, this sounds awkward and silly, but you will forgive me, won’t you?) Anyways, it’s been outrageously cold lately, so all kind of comfort soup ideas are welcome!
You’re getting really great with the videos, Cheyanne! I love how simple this is – sometimes you read a recipe and you don’t realize how quick and easy it is – but you definitely tell from the video. I’m going to double the beans for a veggie version. Happy New Year!
This sounds delicious and perfect for that cold weather. I have such a hard time finding a salsa I like in the store. I’ll have to try out the tostitos. I usually just make my own. I don’t like the sweetness of the store bought usually. Anyways, this is a great recipe. And I’m also still waiting for my flying car. It would be so cool. I can picture it now…
What a delicious soup! Ithink I missed this recipe when you first posted it last year – I didn’t realize January was national soup month and now that I know, I’m gonna be on a quest to eat ALL the soup I can – starting with this bowl of deliciousness! Happy New Year, Cheyanne! Hoping this week – this year – are WONDERFUL for you and yours! xoxo
This is a perfect heart-warming soup for the winter!! I love how easy it is too – I need more recipes like this in my life!! Great video too, girlfriend! XO
this sounds absolutely lovely & so comforting!
LOVE how easy this recipe is Chey! It’s a total meal with the added chicken. Perfect for the cold wintry weather we’re having right now, and nice and healthy for the New Year! LOVE the video, as usual! Makes it look so easy to make!
Um yeah. I thought not only would we have flying cars by now but we’d also have hoverboards that work, as in actually hover and don’t catch fire. Oh well. I probably would be just as bad driving a flying car as a regular one :). Anywho, this soup sounds delicious! I’ve been craving soup lately and this one would definitely feed those cravings. Have a great week, Chey!
It’s going on the menu!! <3
Ok so it’s not January but a great soup is great anytime of the year. This one is quite tasty and very simple to make. I did make one change because I didn’t have veggie stock on hand, so instead used beef broth for a contrast in color and flavor. Surprise, really pretty good. Great job and thanks for sharing.
Hi Jeff, I’m thrilled you enjoyed the soup and your use of beef broth sounds delicious! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know how it went! Cheers!!
This looks way too delicious to be so easy! I LOVE soups like this, especially when I can trick my hubby into thinking I’ve prepped and stirred and prepared all day 😉 Gotta try this one!
I still can’t believe it is 2017 either, craziness!! This is so my kind of soup! I love all the flavors and all the toppings! Sometimes toppings are the most important part lol!
Mmmmmm…..this looks like my kind of soup and just what I need during these freezing winter days!
Oh man!!! I just made something like this for dinner, and found the recipe online.. wish I had seen yours first… next time?!?!?! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Nine ingredient soup is my kind of soup, Cheyanne. Love this – easy, fast and packed with flavor – soo good. And we may not have flying cars yet but it looks like self driving cars are coming before we know it – just saw that there is a self driving shuttle on the Vegas strip. I’m going there in May so will check it out!
I couldn’t WAIT for 2017 to come, so I don’t have trouble getting the year right haha As for flying cars… if Elon don’t make one, then no one will. I guess we have to wait for him to land us on Mars first haha 😀 Cheyanne, this soup looks so good. SO GOOD! Soups are must on our home menu so I’m saving yours to try, like definitely. SO much good flavours going on in this soup it’s just amazing. Pinning!
This soup is exactly what I should be cozying up with tonight! With this cold weather this soup would hit the spot, super flavorful!! Take care.
I can’t believe it’s 2017; I graduated from High School in 2000! Where does the time go? I’m still waiting on those flying cars; I know we have the technology maybe it’s an air traffic control issue. lol
Love that there are so few ingredients and it’s done in only 25 minutes! Also, I’d like to be on the list for one of those flying cars, thank you 😉
Hahaha…..nope, no flying cars! I’d say thank goodness, lol 😀 I had no problem in writing 2017 and was doing well and then, BAM, yesterday I wrote 2016. Oh well! I can’t believe it’s basically the middle of January already! I would gladly devour a big bowl of this deliciousness in less than 5 minutes. And load me up on ALLLLL the garnishes. Hope you have a fab weekend, girlie! Cheers!!
What’s up with the fact that there are no flying cars yet? I think everyone’s messing with social media too much too think about it. And I’m glad it’s National Soup Month because that’s all I want to eat right now. This is right up my alley with the Mexican flair — this is perfect for the freezing temps we’re expecting!
This is kind of like a taco in a bowl! I”m loving that you’ve created two Mexican inspired recipes in a row…keep it up girl 😉 Totally agree with you and RR too. Plus, I use cilantro like a seasoning so I think you could go ahead and knock it down to 8. BTW, your photos are absolutely killer 🙂
I’d love to know where those flying cars are! I’m not having any trouble getting the year right.. I write 2017 like I’ve been doing it all year ;)… BUT I can’t keep the month straight. Oh well, at least I’m getting something! I did not know it was national soup month, and now that I do, I’m really excited! This soup looks FAB. I can’t wait to try it! Pinned
Flying car, huh? Hmmm, I’m going to have to think about that one! I know my hubby would love it! I’ll need to ponder while I eat a bowl or two of this delicious soup! Pinned (of course!)! Cheers! xo
Why YES, I am!! Great (bestie) minds think alike! 😉 I was just writing my editorial calendar for the next few months, and about to enter 2016… and then I was like, wait a minute. Is that right?? Lol. But at least I wasn’t gonna write 2015, right?? Hehe on switching the months and years… yep, THIS is why we’re soul sisters. 😉 Now all I need is this soup, a flying car with an extra cushiony seat for my CB and a calendar of all the monthly and daily food holidays… and I’m set! 😉 Love how awesomely check-mark fantastic this recipe is! Just what we need to get through this frigid month! Love the photos as always. Happy almost weekend, Bestie! xoxoxo
Oh my sweet heavens, how I wish this was my lunch today! Looks amazing, m’dear! I hope you are doing well. I’m sorry I’ve been disconnected lately. Life has been nuts! Having sinus surgery on Feb. 1, so pray for me love. Let me know how I can be praying for you, too! XOXO
I love you soup Chey!!! I love all the ingredients you put into it!! Cheers girl!
Cheyanne, I’m not sure about the flying car thing. The way people drive on the Highways having them in the air, Well that’s just scary. But this soup looks sooo good. I think great minds think alike cause I just made a similar soup. I love the addition of salsa to yours. Have a Great Weekend! 🙂
haha yup definitely no flying cars yet! Someday??? And I am also sooo still writing 2016 on everything. It always takes me awhile to get it right!
And huge yay for soup! I’ve been making soup for dinner at least twice a week lately. And this sounds soooo good! Soups with toppings are the best!!
I totally need a flying car because traffic in Charlotte is the pits! I also need to get on board for this soup month business and make this Black Bean Soup! And I completely agree with you and RR that pantry staples do not count!
Yay for all things soup!! I could live on soup 🙂 I’m definitely adding this one to the menu soon. Love how easy it is and chock full of great flavours!
Awww, thanks for the mention up there Chey!! I’m loving this Black Bean Soup! It’s one of my favorites. And the fact that your recipe has less than 10 ingredients makes it even better! I love your addition of the cooked chicken to make it more of a meal too. Can’t wait to try your version! Happy weekend!
Haha I totally thought we would’ve had flying cars by now after seeing Back to the Future when I was little. And those movies (especially the 2nd one) are my secret favorites. Like I ALWAYS watch it when it’s on TV, even though I own them. And I’m still trying to process that it’s 2017! Now onto this soup…yum! I’ve never had a version quite like this before, so this is just calling my name! I love how easy it is! And the chicken gives it the perfect touch. Just what I need for this cold and rainy weather! Pinned, of course! Happy almost weekend, Cheyanne!
Yay to all the soups to keep me cozy and warm! Black bean soup is one of my absolute faves and I love that this has chicken and salsa in it to amp up the flavor and make it extra filling! Pass me a spoon please – oh, and ALL the toppings of course 😉
And don’t worry, if you’re like me, you’ll finally get in the habit of writing 2017 come September or October, just in time for it to switch on you again.
Have a great weekend my friend! XO
This soup looks delicious, Cheyanne! I am a big fan of recipes with less than 10 ingredients and that can be whipped up in under 30 minutes. This is certainly my kind of recipe! Still adjusting to 2017, it always takes me a little while to write the dates right too 🙂 and I agree that we seem to be a little bit behind – I sure thought we would have flying cars by now 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I would lick the whole bowl clean, Chey. It looks super duper delicious and moreish.