Bowl of anti-inflammatory chicken fajita soup with colorful bell peppers and fresh cilantro, photographed during golden hour with a clock showing 6 PM in the background

Anti Inflammatory Chicken Fajita Soup: Your Body’s Perfect Evening Reset

The 6 PM Question That Changed Everything

Picture this: You’re staring into your fridge at 6 PM, exhausted from the day, and your body is practically begging you to order takeout. But here’s what I learned during my years analyzing food with medical professionals your body isn’t asking for more food. It’s asking for the RIGHT food at the RIGHT time.

This is the story of how one simple soup became my evening game-changer.

A warm bowl of chicken fajita soup with sliced bell peppers, shredded chicken, and golden turmeric broth, garnished with cilantro and lime, photographed in soft evening light.
Aria Belle

Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Fajita Soup

A healing anti-inflammatory chicken fajita soup perfectly timed for evening consumption. Reduces inflammation, supports digestion, and promotes better sleep quality. 🍲⏰
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired”
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Protein
  • 2 lbs Boneless Chicken Thighs Cut into strips. Thighs are more tender and easier to digest in the evening.
Vegetables
  • 1 large Red Bell Pepper Sliced. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that calm daily inflammation.
  • 1 large Yellow Bell Pepper Sliced. Natural sweetness satisfies evening cravings without sugar crashes.
  • 1 large Green Bell Pepper Sliced. Adds vibrant color and additional anti-inflammatory compounds.
  • 1 whole Large Onion Sliced. Provides quercetin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Cloves Minced. Contains allicin which supports evening immune function.
Healing Spices
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin Aids digestion and adds warm, earthy flavor perfect for evening.
  • 1 tsp Paprika Rich in antioxidants and provides beautiful color.
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric The golden warrior that actively reduces inflammation at cellular level.
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper Optional. Boosts circulation and metabolism gently for evening.
  • 1 inch Fresh Ginger Grated. Helps process the day’s stressors and prepares body for rest.
Liquid Base
  • 6 cups Bone Broth Or high-quality chicken broth. Provides collagen and minerals for gut healing.
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes Adds lycopene and natural acidity to balance flavors.
Finishing Touches
  • 1 whole Lime Juiced. Enhances nutrient absorption and adds bright freshness.
  • 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro For garnish. Aids in detoxification during overnight repair.
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil For cooking. Provides healthy fats for nutrient absorption.
  • to taste Salt To taste. Enhances all flavors and supports proper hydration.
  • to taste Black Pepper To taste. Increases turmeric absorption and adds gentle heat.

Method
 

Step 1: Create Your Evening Base
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. This slow start helps your body begin transitioning from day to evening mode.
Step 2: Build the Healing Foundation
  1. Add minced garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, grated ginger, and cayenne (if using). Stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant and aromatic. The warming spices will signal your nervous system to start relaxing.
Step 3: Add the Protein
  1. Add chicken strips to the pot and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer pink. The gentle cooking preserves the protein’s digestibility.
Step 4: Incorporate the Colorful Vegetables
  1. Add all bell peppers (red, yellow, and green) to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened but still vibrant. We want to preserve their anti-inflammatory compounds and natural crunch.
Step 5: Create the Liquid Medicine
  1. Pour in bone broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil – this matches your body’s evening energy). Let simmer for 8-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 6: Season and Balance
  1. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. The soup should be well-balanced and comforting – perfect for your body’s evening needs.
Step 7: The Final Healing Touch
  1. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lime juice. The citrus helps with nutrient absorption while cilantro aids in detoxification – perfect for your body’s overnight repair work. Ladle into bowls and garnish generously with fresh cilantro.
Step 8: Serve with Intention
  1. Serve hot but not scalding between 6-8 PM when your body is naturally transitioning to repair mode. Eat slowly, putting your spoon down between bites to allow proper digestion and satisfaction.

Why Your Body Craves This at Sunset

Infographic showing circadian rhythm waves with evening nutrition timing, surrounded by anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and ginger
Your body’s natural rhythms determine when anti inflammatory foods work best evening meals should support repair mode.

The Science Moment: By evening, your body shifts from active metabolism to repair mode. Your cortisol drops, your digestive fire slows, and inflammation from the day needs to be quieted. This isn’t the time for heavy, complex meals it’s time for gentle, healing nutrition.

That’s where this anti inflammatory chicken fajita soup comes in. It’s like a warm hug for your tired system, packed with ingredients that work WITH your body’s natural evening rhythms.

The Magic Timing Formula

Morning Version: Too heavy would overwhelm your awakening digestive system
Midday Version: Good, but your body wants more activation energy
Evening Version: PERFECT supports your body’s natural wind down process

The Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse Ingredients

Chicken (The Gentle Protein)

  • Why It Works: Easily digestible protein that won’t stress your evening digestion
  • The Timing Factor: Provides amino acids for overnight muscle repair without the heaviness of red meat

Bell Peppers (The Inflammation Fighter)

  • Why It Works: Loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that calm daily inflammation
  • The Timing Factor: Their natural sweetness satisfies evening cravings without sugar crashes

Turmeric & Ginger (The Healing Duo)

  • Why It Works: These golden warriors actively reduce inflammation at the cellular level
  • The Timing Factor: Help your body process the day’s stressors and prepare for restorative sleep

Bone Broth Base (The Gut Healer)

  • Why It Works: Collagen and minerals that repair your digestive lining
  • The Timing Factor: Warm, soothing liquid that signals your body it’s time to relax

For another healing recipe that uses broth as a gut-soothing base, try our Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Dish.

The Recipe That Heals

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Flat lay of anti-inflammatory chicken fajita soup ingredients including chicken thighs, colorful bell peppers, turmeric, ginger, and bone broth arranged in a circle
Each ingredient is chosen for its anti-inflammatory properties and compatibility with evening digestion.
  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 6 cups bone broth (or high-quality chicken broth)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

The Evening Preparation Ritual

Step-by-step cooking process showing sautéing onions, adding spices, cooking chicken and peppers, and simmering the final soup
The gentle cooking process preserves nutrients while creating a soothing evening meal that supports your body’s natural rhythms.

Step 1: Create Your Base (5 minutes) Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. This slow start helps your body begin transitioning from day to evening.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Foundation (5 minutes) Add garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and ginger. Let them bloom for 30 seconds. The aroma alone will signal your nervous system to start relaxing.

Step 3: Add the Healing Elements (10 minutes) Add chicken strips and cook until just done. Add bell peppers and cook until slightly softened but still vibrant. Remember we’re not cooking the life out of our vegetables.

Step 4: Create the Liquid Medicine (5 minutes) Pour in bone broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer. This isn’t a rolling boil it’s a peaceful bubble that matches your body’s evening energy.

Step 5: The Final Touch Add lime juice and fresh cilantro. The citrus helps with nutrient absorption, while cilantro aids in detoxification perfect for your body’s overnight repair work.

The Aria Serving Secret

Portion Philosophy: Your evening portions should be satisfying but not overwhelming. Think “comfortably full” not “need to unbutton pants.”

The 20-Minute Rule: Eat slowly and put your spoon down between bites. Your body needs time to register satisfaction in the evening.

Temperature Matters: Serve it hot but not scalding. Your digestive system is winding down and doesn’t want to be shocked.

Why This Works Better Than Any Takeout

Unlike the heavy, sodium loaded alternatives, this soup:

  • Reduces inflammation instead of creating it
  • Provides nutrients your body can actually use for overnight repair
  • Satisfies your comfort food cravings without the 9 PM energy crash
  • Supports better sleep quality through proper evening nutrition

The Reader Results

“I made this last Tuesday and slept better than I had in weeks. My body felt so calm after eating it!” – Sarah M.

“Finally, a recipe that doesn’t leave me feeling heavy at bedtime. This is going into my weekly rotation.” – Mike T.

Your Next Step

Try this recipe this week, but here’s the key: eat it between 6-8 PM when your body is naturally transitioning to evening mode. Pay attention to how you feel not just while eating, but how you sleep and wake up the next morning.

Your body will thank you for working with its natural rhythms instead of against them.

The Aria Promise

Every recipe I share follows this same principle: the right food at the right time for your body’s optimal function. This isn’t just cooking it’s chronobiology in action.

What’s your biggest evening eating challenge? Drop a comment below and let’s solve it together.

Posted by Aria Atolt | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Best Time: 6-8 PM

Want more recipes timed for your body’s natural rhythms? Follow me for chrononutrition cooking that transforms how you feel, not just what you eat.

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