Mexican Street Corn Soup

This Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup transforms the beloved Mexican street food, elote, into a hearty and comforting soup. Packed with sweet corn, smoky chipotle, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese, this dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. It's perfect for cozy dinners and can easily be made ahead in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Ingredients

• 1 white onion, diced

• 1 poblano pepper (or jalapeño), diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

• 2 cups frozen corn kernels

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, diced

• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce

• 1 pound chicken breast

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 8 ounces cream cheese or crème fraîche (for a dairy-free option, use coconut milk)

• 6 slices of bacon

• 2 limes (optional, for garnish)

• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

• ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onion, poblano pepper, and minced garlic for about 3 minutes until softened. Add the chili powder and cumin, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to enhance the flavors.

2. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed mixture to your slow cooker. Add the frozen corn, diced potatoes, diced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, chicken breasts, and chicken broth.

3. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours.

4. Finish the Soup: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cream cheese or crème fraîche until melted and well incorporated. Shred the cooked chicken breasts with two forks and return them to the soup.

5. Prepare Bacon: While the soup is finishing, cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet, crumble, and set aside.

6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with crumbled bacon, a squeeze of lime juice, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese, if desired.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

• Calories: Approximately 527 kcal

• Protein: 29g

• Fat: 31g

• Carbohydrates: 36g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 4g

• Sodium: 2803mg

• Cholesterol: 117mg