Roasted Chicken Bell Pepper Soup for Lazy Winters

Winter calls for warmth, and this soup feels like a cozy hug in a bowl. I created this recipe specifically for lazy winter days when you crave something rich and comforting but don’t want to stand by the stove, stirring endlessly. My secret? Just toss everything in the oven and let the flavors deepen while you curl up with a book or finish your chores.

As it roasts, the kitchen fills with the smoky sweetness of bell peppers, the earthiness of tomatoes, and the warm embrace of spices. I’ve packed this soup with nature’s best warmers i.e., ginger, garlic, turmeric, black pepper, and cinnamon to boost circulation and fight inflammation. Nutmeg adds depth, while cumin and red chilly powder or paprika bring the perfect touch of heat. A swirl of olive oil makes every spoonful velvety smooth.

One sip, and you’ll feel the warmth spread from the inside out. Lazy winters never tasted so good!

Heating Properties of Ingredients in this Soup

1. Red Bell Peppers – Rich in capsaicin-like compounds that promote warmth and circulation.
2. Tomatoes – Contain lycopene, which supports metabolism and overall body warmth.
3. Feta Cheese – Provides healthy fats that aid in heat retention.
4. Boneless Chicken – A high-protein ingredient that boosts metabolism and generates body heat.
5. Olive Oil – Healthy fats that provide warmth and energy.
6. Fresh Garlic – Stimulates circulation and has natural warming properties.
7. Fresh Ginger – Increases body temperature and aids digestion.
8. Red Chilly Powder or Paprika– Contains capsaicin, which enhances heat production in the body.
9. Turmeric – Has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes warmth from within.
10. Black Pepper – A natural thermogenic spice that stimulates warmth.
11. Cinnamon – Improves blood circulation and has a warming effect..
12. Nutmeg – Has warming and calming properties.
13. Cumin – Supports digestion and helps in heat production.
14. Water/Broth – Helps in the absorption of spices, enhancing their warming effect.
15. Salt – Regulates body fluids and helps retain warmth.
16. Footlong Garlic Bread – Provides carbohydrates for sustained energy and warmth.
17. Mozzarella Cheese – Offers fats and proteins that help retain body heat.
18. Cilantro – Aids digestion and balances the warmth of other spices.

Time taken to prepare: 40-45 minutes

Serves - 3

FOR CHICKEN MARINATION

1. Boneless Chicken or Chicken Breast - 150 g
2. Red Chilly Powder or Paprika - 1 tbsps.
3. Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
4. Black Pepper – 1 tsp
5. Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tbsps.
6. Olive Oil - 2 tbsps.
7. Salt – As per taste

FOR SOUP BASE

1. Red Bell Peppers – 1 large, diced and deseeded
2. Tomatoes – 3 medium, diced
3. Onion - 1 medium, diced
4. Feta Cheese – 100 g
5. Olive Oil – 2 tbsps.
6. Fresh Garlic – 12 cloves, peeled
7. Red Chilly Powder or Paprika – 1 tbsps. (adjust to spice preference)
8. Turmeric – ½ tsp
9. Black Pepper Powder– 1 tsp, freshly ground
10. Cinnamon Powder– 1 tsp
11. Nutmeg Powder– A pinch
12. Cumin Powder – 1 tbsp
13. Water – 2 cups (or use chicken broth for extra flavor)
14. Cilantro – 1 tbsps. (for garnish)

FOR SIDES

1. Bread Loaf (I used store-bought footlong garlic bread)
2. Mozzarella Cheese - 4 tbsps.
3. Olive Oil - 2 tbsps.

UTENSILS AND EQUIPEMENTS REQUIRED

1. Chopping Board -1
2. Knife -1
3. Blender -1
4. Mixing Bowls - 2
5. Mixing Spoon - 1
6. Silicone Oil Brush -1
7. Ladle-1
8. Baking Tray -1
9. Grill Rack -1
10. Parchment Paper
11. Oven (OTG)

1. Take 150 g of boneless chicken or chicken breast.
2. Thoroughly wash and clean it with water. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. If using chicken breast, cut it into bite-sized pieces or fillets for better absorption of flavors.
4. If you're using chicken fillets, then further make 2–3 slits on each piece to ensure the marinade we'll prepare later seeps in deeply.

In a mixing bowl, add:

1. 2 tablespoons of olive oil
2. 1 tablespoon of paprika or red chilly powder
3. ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
4. 1 teaspoon of black pepper
5. 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste
6. Salt as per taste

Stir well to form a smooth paste.

1. Add the 150 g of chicken to the bowl and coat it evenly with the marinade using your hands or a spoon.
2. Massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure deep penetration of flavors.
3. Cover the bowl with a lid.
4. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (for a mild flavor) or overnight (for deeper flavor and tenderness).

1. Take 1 large red bell pepper, dice it roughly into strips, and remove the seeds.
2. Take 3 medium tomatoes, dice them roughly.
3. Take 1 medium onion, dice it roughly.
4. Peel 12 cloves of fresh garlic.

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil (about ½ teaspoon) to prevent sticking.
3. Place all the vegetables and garlic on the prepared baking tray, cut side up.
4. Place 100 gm of Feta Cheese in the center.

Sprinkle:

1. 1 tablespoon of paprika or red chili powder, adjust to taste
2. ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder
3. 1 teaspoon of black pepper (freshly ground)
4. ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
5. A pinch of nutmeg powder
6. 1 teaspoon of cumin powder

and finally drizzle 2 tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables and garlic.

Note: Avoid adding salt at this stage, as the feta cheese is already salty and additional salt could make the vegetables overly seasoned.

1. Lightly grease a grill rack with ½ teaspoon of olive oil or ghee to prevent the chicken from sticking.
2. Remove the marinated Chicken from the refrigerator and place it on the grill rack.

1. Place the grill tray with chicken above the vegetable tray in the oven.
2. Bake for 20–25 minutes at 180°C (350°F) until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred & the veggies are roasted well.

1. Once the red bell pepper, tomatoes, Feta cheese, and garlic are roasted and slightly charred, remove them from the oven.
2. Let them cool for a few minutes, then transfer them to a blender.
3. Pour in 2 cups of water (or substitute with chicken broth for a richer flavor).
4. Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes a smooth, creamy sauce.
5. If the sauce is too thick, add more water or broth, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

1. Remove the roasted chicken pieces from the oven. Allow the roasted chicken to cool slightly for easier handling.
2. Using a sharp knife, chop the chicken into tiny bits as shown.

1. Take a loaf of footlong garlic bread (You can use any bread as per your liking).
2. Cut the footlong bread evenly in the middle.
3. Slice both halves lengthwise from the middle to open up the loaf.
4. Spread garlic butter generously on the cut surfaces.
5. Top with mozzarella cheese evenly before serving.

1. Transfer and pour the soup into a large baking dish.
2. Add most of the shredded chicken into the blended soup base and stir gently.
3. Reserve one-fourth of the shredded chicken for final garnishing later.
4. Stir the chicken into the soup gently.
5. Add salt to the blended soup base and adjust to taste.
6. If it turns out too salty, stir in additional water to balance the flavor.
7. Add Mozzarella Cheese on the top.

Note: Because this is a lazy winter soup, I decided to quick bake everything in one go instead of standing in the kitchen stirring. But if you prefer, you can pour the blended soup into a pot and cook it for 5 minutes on the stove to enhance the flavors.

1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes.
2. Four minutes before the soup finishes baking, add the store-bought garlic bread topped with mozzarella cheese to toast until the cheese melts.

1. Remove the baking dish from the oven using oven mitts and let it rest for a minute to cool slightly.
2. Using a ladle, carefully pour the hot soup into individual serving bowls.
3. Garnish each bowl with the reserved shredded chicken and a few cilantro leaves for an added texture and flavor boost.
4. Plate 2 pieces of the toasted garlic bread on the side of each serving bowl.
5. Serve immediately, and enjoy your warm, hearty meal with its perfect side accompaniment.

This soup harmonizes the bold spices of India with the comforting, melty indulgence of Italian cuisine, creating a truly unique fusion of flavors.

Every spoonful is a celebration of two rich culinary traditions, offering warmth and an unforgettable burst of taste.