This Creamy Hatch Green Chile Chicken & Rice Soup is smoky, hearty, and brightened with lime and cilantro. A family favorite that freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day. Perfect for snowy afternoons or crisp fall evenings.
This soup actually came from a suggestion by my sister — a way to use more of those Hatch Green Chile Flavor Bomb Cubes I’ve been stockpiling in the freezer. Turns out, she was onto something.
It’s hearty but still soupy, filling without being heavy, and full of smoky chile flavor. Both my kids went back for seconds (always a win), and my wife and I did too. The broth is rich and creamy, the chicken shreds into tender bites, and the lime and cilantro brighten everything up.
It also freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day. Honestly, I think it’s the perfect soup for a snowy afternoon or those first crisp days of fall when summer starts to wane and you catch a chill in the air at dusk.
Heat olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high. Pat chicken thighs dry, season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then brown on both sides until golden. Remove to a bowl.
In the same pot, cook onion in the chicken fat until softened. Season with smoked paprika, cumin, chile powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Add basmati rice and butter, stirring to coat. Toast the rice for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in chicken stock, Hatch green chile cubes, and return chicken thighs to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–18 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked.
Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and set aside.
Stir heavy cream, lime juice, and fresh cilantro into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning — you want a nice balance of smoky, savory, and sour.
Return shredded chicken to the pot, warm through, and serve hot with extra cilantro and lime wedges on the side.
Soups like this one remind me why I keep a stash of flavor bombs in the freezer — they’re the building blocks for cozy meals in minutes. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my full Flavor Bomb Cook-Ahead List.
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