Dinner: Jalapeno Popper Soup

Ingredients

4 medium Chicken Thighs, deboned
1 tbsp. Chicken Fat
3 medium Jalapenos, diced
2 tsp. Minced Garlic
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1 tsp. Dried Cilantro
1 tsp. Cajun Seasoning
3 cups Chicken Broth
6 oz. Cream Cheese
4 oz. Cheddar Cheese
4 slices Bacon, for topping
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. De-bone chicken thighs, then season on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Lay to rest on a cooling rack while you cook in the oven.
2. Bake chicken thighs for 50-55 minutes at 400F.
3. In the mean-time, heat 1 tbsp. chicken fat on the stove over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken bones to pot and fry for 5-10 minutes.
4. Add diced jalapeno peppers and garlic to the mixture. Let this cook for 3-4 minutes or until soft.
5. Add broth and spices to the mixture and stir until pan is deglazed. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer until chicken thighs are cooked.
6. Once the chicken thighs are cooked, remove the crispy chicken skin from the meat and keep to the side. Remove chicken bones from the broth and discard.
7. Add excess chicken fat to the pot, then use an immersion blender to puree the jalapenos and garlic into the broth. Shred chicken meat and add to the pot. Let this simmer for 10-15 minutes.
8. Add cream cheese and cheddar cheese to the soup and stir while simmering for 5 minutes, or until all cheese has dissolved.
9. Cook sliced bacon under medium-high heat until crisp. Lay to rest on paper towels to crisp up.
10. Serve soup up with pieces of bacon. Add crispy chicken skin on the side.