From Mrs. Clay’s Cozy Kitchen
Hey foodies! 👋 Got some leftover chicken taco meat and craving a cozy, tasty meal that’s quick and totally satisfying? I’ve got you covered with this Leftover Chicken Taco Soup plan — plus cheesy quesadillas on the side and the most decadent churro bites dessert with homemade cream cheese buttercream and rich chocolate ganache. Let’s dive in! 🎉
🥣 Taco Soup Magic
Servings: 4–6
This soup is the perfect way to use up your leftovers — chicken taco meat, Mexican rice, salsa, and corn all come together in a warm, flavorful bowl! 🌶️🌽🍅
What You’ll Need:
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Leftover chicken taco meat (2 cups)
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Cooked Mexican rice (1–1½ cups)
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Salsa (1 cup)
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Canned corn (1 cup, drained)
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Chicken broth (3–4 cups)
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Onion (1 small, diced)
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Garlic (2–3 cloves, minced)
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Jalapeño (1, diced or halved)
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Diced green chiles (1 can, 4 oz)
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Optional veggies: diced carrots or potatoes for extra heartiness 🥕🥔
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Seasonings: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt (to taste)
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Optional: queso or nacho cheese sauce for creamy goodness 🧀
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Fresh lime juice to finish 🍋
How To Make It:
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Heat a splash of oil in a big pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño until fragrant (2-3 mins).
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Add salsa and green chiles — cook for another 2-3 mins to amp up that flavor.
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Pour in chicken broth and toss in your optional veggies. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until veggies soften.
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Stir in your chicken, corn, queso (if you want that creamy kick), and cooked rice. Simmer for another 5-10 mins.
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Taste test! Adjust spices and add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness. 🌟
🧀 Cheesy Quesadilla Sidekick
No taco soup is complete without cheesy quesadillas on the side! 🫓🧀
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Grab some flour tortillas and shredded cheese (plus leftover chicken if you want).
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Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a tortilla, sprinkle cheese (and chicken), fold and cook until golden and melty.
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Slice into wedges and serve alongside your soup. Perfect for dipping and scooping! 😋
🍮 Churro Bites Dessert — Dip into Heaven!
Ready for the showstopper? These cinnamon-sugar churro bites are crunchy, sweet, and perfect for dunking in BOTH homemade cream cheese buttercream and rich chocolate ganache. You’re gonna love this duo! 😍🍫
Churro Bites:
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Use biscuit dough cut into bite-sized pieces
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Bake at 375°F for 8-10 mins until golden
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Toss warm bites in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar (¼ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon)
Chocolate Ganache Dip:
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Heat ½ cup heavy cream till simmering
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Pour over 4 oz chopped chocolate, wait 1-2 mins
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Stir until smooth, add a teaspoon of butter and vanilla for extra shine
Cream Cheese Buttercream Icing:
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Your homemade mix of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla — drizzled or dolloped as you like!
🍫 Quick & Easy Chocolate Syrup Alternative
Not feeling the ganache or buttercream? No worries! You can whip up a simple chocolate syrup to drizzle over your churro bites in just minutes. It’s sweet, chocolatey, and totally fuss-free!
Simple Chocolate Syrup Recipe:
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½ cup cocoa powder
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½ cup sugar
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½ cup water
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½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
How to Make It:
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In a small saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and water.
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Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
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Reduce heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes until syrup thickens slightly.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla if you like. Let cool before drizzling.
This syrup is perfect for a quick drizzle or dip and pairs wonderfully with your churro bites for that classic chocolatey finish! 🍩✨
💡 Serving Tips:
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Serve churro bites with both dips for a dreamy combo.
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Drizzle or dollop your cream cheese buttercream on the bites and swirl with ganache or chocolate syrup. Insta-worthy and delish! 📸✨
🥄 Nutritional Info (approximate per serving of soup):
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Calories: 250–300
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Protein: 20–25g
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Carbs: 20–25g
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Fat: 8–12g
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Fiber: 3–4g
🎉 Final Thoughts
This meal plan is a total win for using leftovers, keeping it easy, and treating yourself with layers of flavor and fun. Whether you’re cozying up on a weeknight or feeding a crowd, this taco soup + quesadillas + churro bites combo will impress! 🌮🧀🍫
Give it a try and let me know how it turns out! Drop your pics and thoughts below — I love hearing from you! ❤️👩🍳
Enjoy your delicious feast, friends! 🌟🍴