Inspiration Behind Joanna Gaines’ Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup Recipe

Joanna Gaines recently opened up about the romantic sentiments behind one of her famous family dishes.

Memories become more poignant when a meal is involved and can lead to even more beautiful creations after such a delicious experience.

The celebrity chef recently got candid about how her first dates with her loving husband inspired her fan-favorite Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup. 

Joanna is positively acclaimed on the "Magnolia Table" for showing the recipes to many delicious meals that viewers can share with their loved ones. 

One of her most famous dishes in the 5th season of her cooking series is her Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup, whose special ingredient is nothing other than love.

The celebrity chef recently took to the Magnolia website to share the sweet story behind her fan-favorite dish. She explained that the meal is reminiscent of her first date with Chip Gaines.

Joanna recalled that on date number one with her husband of over a decade, they ordered the Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup at a Dallas restaurant known for that particular dish.

The blogger expressed, "Honestly, it was the best soup either of us had ever had. That restaurant and soup became a favorite go-to." She noted that neither she nor her husband have forgotten the experience and continued:

"even though the restaurant has since closed, Chip and I still talk about those early days and that chicken poblano soup. This recipe is a nod to the memories of our first dates.”

The meal made such an impression on the lovebirds that Joanna began recreating an original version of the recipe, which she later presented on season 5, episode 3 of the "Magnolia Table."

The chef begins preparing the delicious Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup by placing a stick of unsalted butter in a pot and melting it over medium-high heat.

Joanna then adds 2 cups of chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves, 4 diced celery stalks, 3 medium chopped and seedless poblano peppers, and 3 cut carrots to be cooked until tender.

The recipe continues by adding "salt, pepper, cumin, and thyme and sauté until caramelized and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes longer" before adding broth and cream.

Next, Joanna instructs cooks to "bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes to meld the flavors."

Lastly, the celebrity chef uses an "immersion blender" to make the soup creamy before adding chicken pieces and simmering with her optional favorite cilantro for 15-30 minutes. 

Joanna and Chip have a lot on their plate and have come a long way since becoming famous for their renovation series, "The Fixer Upper," in 2012.

The husband and wife are now billionaires after launching the "Magnolia Network," which replaced "DIY Network" on January 5. Yet handling so many businesses amid the pandemic can be tolling.

Earlier this month, The Blast disclosed that, in the Spring issue of "Magnolia Journal," which she co-owns with her spouse, Joanna opened up about the importance of self-care amid handling multiple responsibilities.

The 43-year-old revealed that in late 2021, she found herself at a place where she felt "unbalanced" by how much she was pouring out into other ventures without also ensuring to fill her cup. She explained:

"I was learning that a well that’s only ever knee-deep can’t outlast a drought and that I had to figure out what it was that would pull me out of the grind and give me renewed perspective.”

The "Magnolia Table With Joanna Gaines" star later understood that she had to care for herself before properly caring for others. This inspired her to begin dedicating her time to what she considered significant.

Joanna began to pour herself into nature, gardening, and activities like enjoying time in the kitchen and reading. She continued:

“For weeks, I poured over books, threw my hands into the soil, and filled every surface of the house with jars for canning just about anything."

Though some family members of "The Magnolia Story" author thought was excessive, she noted that they could not understand the fulfillment she felt at the end of the day.