This High-Protein Rotel Soup with Cottage Cheese & Chicken is a warm, hearty, and spicy dish that’s perfect for a comforting dinner or meal prep. Packed with protein from chicken and cottage cheese, it’s a flavorful and nutritious choice that comes together quickly and easily.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High-protein powerhouse: Each bowl is loaded with protein to keep you full and satisfied.
- Comforting and flavorful: Spicy Rotel tomatoes and creamy cottage cheese make this soup incredibly comforting.
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Meal prep-friendly: Store it in the fridge for a healthy, reheatable meal all week.
- Customizable: Add vegetables, beans, or spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Incorporate Chicken: Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the pot. Allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- Blend Cottage Cheese: While the soup is simmering, blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth. This step adds a creamy texture without the lumps.
- Combine and Season: Stir the blended cottage cheese into the soup until fully incorporated. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 245 kcal per serving
Variations
- Add-ins: For extra flavor and texture, add black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers.
- Vegetarian option: Replace the chicken with plant-based protein like chickpeas or tofu.
- Spicier version: Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Creamier soup: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or unsweetened coconut milk for added richness.
- Herb twist: Use fresh basil or oregano instead of cilantro for a different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or microwave it in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I use raw chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you can. Add raw chicken breasts to the soup while simmering and cook for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked. Then shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
2. Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, replace the cottage cheese with a dairy-free alternative or use coconut milk for creaminess.
3. Can I freeze this soup?
You can freeze the soup, but the texture of the cottage cheese may change slightly. Blend the cottage cheese after thawing for a smoother consistency.
4. What can I use instead of Rotel tomatoes?
Use a can of diced tomatoes and add a small can of green chilies for the same flavor.
5. How can I make this soup thicker?
Simmer the soup longer to reduce the liquid, or stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water.
6. Can I use bone broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, bone broth adds even more protein and flavor to the soup.
7. What other garnishes work well?
Try shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, or tortilla strips as additional garnishes.
8. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful option for this recipe.
9. Is this soup spicy?
It has a mild kick from the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, but you can adjust the spice level by using a milder or spicier variety.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe doubles well. Use a larger pot to accommodate the extra ingredients.
Conclusion
This High-Protein Rotel Soup with Cottage Cheese & Chicken is a delicious and nutritious meal that’s easy to make and full of bold flavors. Whether you’re looking for a cozy dinner or a meal-prep option, this recipe delivers on taste, texture, and convenience. Try it today and savor a protein-packed soup that’s as satisfying as it is healthy!
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High-Protein Rotel Soup with Cottage Cheese & Chicken
This High-Protein Rotel Soup with Cottage Cheese & Chicken is a hearty, creamy, and spicy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Packed with protein from shredded chicken and blended cottage cheese, this flavorful soup is comforting, nutritious, and quick to make!
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes:
- Pour in chicken broth and Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Incorporate Chicken:
- Add shredded or diced chicken to the pot.
- Simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Blend Cottage Cheese:
- While the soup is simmering, blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Combine and Season:
- Stir the blended cottage cheese into the soup until fully incorporated.
- Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- To use raw chicken, simmer chicken breasts in the soup for 20–25 minutes, shred, and return to the pot.
- Add vegetables like black beans, corn, or bell peppers for more texture and nutrients.
- For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of coconut milk or heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
