This article explores the benefits of detox southwest chicken soup, providing a recipe and guidance on how to incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle. This soup is more than just a meal; it's a wellness ritual.
Introduction: What is Detox Southwest Chicken Soup?
Detox Southwest Chicken Soup is a healthy and flavorful soup designed to support the body's natural detoxification processes. It's a twist on traditional southwest chicken soup, taking a cleaner route by focusing on nutrient-rich ingredients while minimizing unhealthy fats and additives. It's a hearty, filling Mexican soup.
What makes this soup a detox superfood?
This soup combines a nutrient-dense medley of ingredients that actively support your body’s natural detox pathways. It is packed with rich Tex-Mex flavors and shredded chicken. This recipe is a great option for busy weekdays.
The origin of southwest chicken soup with a healthy twist
Southwest chicken soup is traditionally bold, spicy, and hearty-often filled with beans, corn, and cream. This detox version takes a healthier approach by emphasizing lean protein, fiber, and detoxifying agents.
Nutritional overview: calories, protein, fiber, and detox agents
This soup offers a balanced nutritional profile with high protein, fiber, and low sodium. It's low-fat, low-carb, and gluten-free. The soup is packed with vitamins and minerals, providing more nutrients than most of the world’s population receives on any given day.
Read also: Explore the pros and cons of fruit juice detoxes.
How Detox Southwest Chicken Soup Works in the Body
Detoxing isn’t just about sipping green juice-it’s about giving your body the nutrients it needs to naturally flush out toxins and reset. Your liver, kidneys, and gut are your body’s natural detox centers.
The role of turmeric, cruciferous veggies, and lean protein
The recipe includes ultra-healthy flavor-makers like ginger, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar. Turmeric, cruciferous vegetables, and whole-food ingredients contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties. Chicken breast is best since it is high in protein and low in fat.
How it supports liver health, gut function, and fat burning
This soup supports liver health, gut function, and fat burning. It fills you up while keeping your system light and efficient.
Detox effects vs. starvation
Let’s be clear: detox isn’t starvation. With protein, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals, it provides more nutrients than most of the world's population receives on any given day.
Detox Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe
This recipe is simple to make and can be easily adapted to your preferences.
Read also: Supporting Detoxification
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cans Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles (4.5-ounce cans) or green chiles
- 14.5 ounces “fire-roasted” crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes
- 3 quarts chicken stock (low-sodium preferred) or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
- 2 1/2 cups sliced carrots
- 4 cups chopped cabbage
- 3 cups small broccoli florets
- 2 avocados, peeled and diced (for serving)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon juice and chopped cilantro for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Set a large 6-8 quart pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, chopped onions, and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes to soften.
- Add chicken and base ingredients: Then add whole raw chicken breasts, Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, all the spices, carrots, and 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt.
- Simmer and shred chicken: Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20+ minutes, until the chicken breasts are cooked through. Then remove the chicken with tongs and set them on a cutting board to cool.
- Add cruciferous veggies: Add the chopped cabbage and broccoli to the pot. Continue to simmer to soften the broccoli.
- Return chicken: Meanwhile, shred the chicken breasts with two forks, and stir it back into the soup. Once the broccoli is tender, taste, then salt and pepper as needed. If the soup base boils down too much, add 2-3 cups of water to the broth.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle into bowls and top with generous chunks of diced avocado. If you like a little extra tangy flavor, serve your chicken detox soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Recipe Notes
- If you have leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken on hand, add that chicken in towards the end of the cooking process for ease!
- If the soup base boils down too much, add 2-3 cups of water to the broth.
Variations and Adaptations
One of the biggest reasons this detox southwest chicken soup recipe has become a staple in many homes is its incredible versatility. This detox southwest chicken soup is how versatile it is for popular diet plans.
Vegetarian/Vegan Detox Soup
Definitely! To make a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can add additional ingredients for added protein, such as black beans. If you’re vegan or planning to do a meatless detox, no problem.
Keto-Friendly Options
Want to make it keto detox southwest chicken soup? For those following a keto diet, you’ll need to lower the carb count and boost healthy fats slightly.
Creamy Anti-Inflammatory Detox Chicken Soup
Add a swirl of unsweetened coconut milk and extra turmeric to create a creamy anti-inflammatory detox chicken soup that feels indulgent yet healing. Craving a rich, velvety texture but still want to keep it light?
Other great options
Other great options are spinach, kale, or additional fresh herbs! Pro Tip: If you see any vegetable in there that you don’t like, switch it out for something you do like.
Read also: Your guide to a 3-day detox meal plan.
Maximizing the Benefits: A 3-Day Soup Cleanse Plan
Creating a plan around your detox southwest chicken soup helps maximize its health benefits. A 3-day soup cleanse is a gentle yet effective way to reset your body, especially after travel, holidays, or feeling sluggish.
Sample 3-Day Cleanse Plan
Here’s a gentle 3-day soup cleanse plan designed to support detox and fat burning without starving your body.
- Breakfast: Detox Southwest Chicken Soup
- Lunch: Detox Southwest Chicken Soup
- Dinner: Detox Southwest Chicken Soup
- Snacks: Small portions of non-starchy vegetables like cucumber or celery.
Tip: Sip water all day and limit caffeine to one serving if possible. You don’t need to live on soup to see results. Consistency is key.
Hydration
Drink at least 64 oz of water daily.
Maintaining Results Post-Cleanse
Want to maintain your glow post-cleanse?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the healthiest recipes can lose their magic when prepared incorrectly. When it comes to making detox southwest chicken soup, there are a few easy-to-miss missteps that can dull the flavor, compromise nutrients, or reduce the soup’s detoxifying benefits.
Skimping on Spices
Many assume that detox meals need to be bland. But the opposite is true-flavorful spices do more than taste good. Don’t skimp on spices!
Under-Salting
In trying to make their soup “healthier,” many skip salt entirely.
Skipping the Avocado
While optional, the avocado topping is more than just pretty.
Reheating Repeatedly
Repeatedly reheating the same pot of soup can degrade nutrients.
Serving Suggestions and Meal Prep
Now that you’ve mastered the art of making detox southwest chicken soup, it’s time to make it work for your lifestyle.
Topping Ideas
A good bowl of soup is great-but the right toppings can elevate it from nourishing to next-level delicious. Want crunch?
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
This soup is ideal for batch cooking and meal prep because it stores beautifully.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken detox soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The leftover soup makes for a great meal prep idea.
- Freezer: To freeze, place in the freezer in a large zip bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and then place in a sauce pot to reheat.
Detox Southwest Chicken Soup: Is It Right for You?
We’ve received tons of interest about detox southwest chicken soup-and for good reason. The 7-day chicken soup diet involves eating soup for most meals over a week to reduce calorie intake and promote fat loss.
How Often Should You Eat It?
It depends on your goals. Here are a few suggestions:
- 3-day cleanse: Eat soup 2-3 times per day for three days
- Weekly reset: Use it for lunch or dinner 2-3 times per week
- Weight loss support: Replace one meal per day for a week
The key is consistency, not perfection.
Will It Help with Weight Loss?
Soups that are high in protein, fiber, and water content-but low in refined carbs and fats-are ideal. If the soup is balanced like this one-low in calories but high in nutrients-yes, you’ll likely shed a few pounds. Weight loss isn’t just about cutting calories-it’s about nourishing your body to perform better.