Spicy Smoked Chicken and Italian Sausage Soup

Last Updated on December 16, 2024 by Carne Diem

Making the Chicken and Sausage Soup Recipe

Requiring almost no prep time, this recipe can be whipped up quickly, making it a great weekday soup recipe. It is also easily customizable so it can suit everyone's tastes.

Ingredients for the Hot Italian Sausage and Smoked Chicken Soup

To make this hearty soup you will need a handful of simple ingredients. Thankfully all of the ingredients are easy to find.  

Meats:  The heart of this soup is smoked chicken and Hot Italian sausage.  We typically smoke our own chicken for the recipe, or you can use rotisserie chicken from the store.  This recipe is also a great way to use up any leftover smoked chicken.  For those that want a little less spice in the soup you can use sweet Italian sausage or mild Italian pork sausage as well.

Beans:  This hearty soup recipe uses a variety of beans.  We typically use one can of seasoned black beans, one can of Ranch Style beans and a can of light red kidney beans, but you can substitute your favorites like white beans or great northern beans as well.

Vegetables:  For the vegetables we use canned corn, fresh garlic, and diced red onions.  Other varieties of onion can also be used in this easy Italian sausage soup recipe. We also typically add a few roasted Hatch green chiles, though you can substitute a drained can of diced green chiles. For the canned corn, we prefer the Southwest style corn.

Extra Hatch chiles? Give some of our other Hatch Chile recipes a try:

• Smothered Breakfast Burritos with Green Chile Sauce
• Smoked Brisket Hatch Chile Rellenos
• Smoked Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese
• Dutch Oven Pork Hatch Chili Verde
• Skillet Cornbread with Green Chiles and Toasted Cumin

Cheeses: For added creaminess and a little heat the soup recipe uses a combination of cream cheese and Habanero jack or pepperjack cheese.

Additional Seasonings and Ingredients: The soup is simply seasoned with 3 tablespoons (or 1 packet) each of Ranch seasoning, taco seasoning.

Equipment:

• Large soup pot or Large Dutch oven

We typically make the chicken and sausage soup in a Dutch oven but a large soup pot or even slow cooker or crock pot are fine too.

Step by Step Instructions

Heat the large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.

Next, add the onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and green chiles to the pot and cook for 1-2 additional minutes. 

Once the vegetables are cooked, drain the excess grease.  Pour in the chicken broth or chicken stock along with the rest of the ingredients. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low.  Stir to make certain all of the cheese is fully melted. Simmer for 20-30 minutes then reduce to low until you are ready to serve.

For more flavorful soup and chowder recipes check out some of our other favorite meaty soups and stews:

• Karni Stoba: Caribbean Beef Stew
• Pike Place Inspired Smoked Salmon Chowder
• Smoky Fire Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup
• Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Smoked Beef
• Dutch Oven White Chicken Chili
• Best Dutch Oven Taco Soup
• Texas Red Chili with Smoked Chuck Roast

What to serve with the flavorful Italian sausage and chicken soup

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional cheese, fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with crusty bread and maybe a glass of white wine.

Tips and tricks for the Perfect Bowl of Soup:

• Customize the Spice Level: Adjust the heat by using mild or hot Italian sausage or adding red pepper flakes.
• Protein Options: If you don't have smoked chicken, you can use rotisserie chicken.
• Bean Variety: Experiment with different types of beans, such as great northern or kidney beans.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: Enhance the nutritional value and flavor of the soup by adding vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini.
• Flavor Boosters: For a more complex flavor profile, consider adding herbs like oregano or thyme.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

We hope you enjoy this Spicy Smoked Chicken and Italian Sausage Soup. It truly is a perfect one-pot meal that's easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. It's a delicious meal for busy weeknights or those with busy schedules, when you want a delicious and comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

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