Chicken Lime and Black Bean Soup
A comforting, fatigue-fighting soup featuring shredded chicken, black beans, and diced avocado. Fresh lime juice adds a bright, zesty finish while naturally boosting iron absorption.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
Makes
4 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large pot
Time saver
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen and get even better over time.
Do these three things first
- 1Prep black beans (rinsed), medium avocado (diced)
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Heat the olive oil in a large…
- 01
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side.
Look for: lightly browned
Tap card to mark done - 02
Pour in the chicken broth
Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, and the rinsed black beans. Stir in a generous pinch of salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and garlic powder.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Bring the soup to a gentle boil
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender.
Look for: the chicken is completely cooked through and tender
Tap card to mark done - 04
Remove the chicken from the pot and…
Remove the chicken from the pot and transfer it to a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the simmering broth.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Remove the pot from the heat and…
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lime juice.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and…
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with the diced avocado just before eating.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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