Chicken Tortilla Soup

February 1, 2024

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Dive into a bowl of warmth and flavor with this zesty chicken tortilla soup. Packed with tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, and a kick of spices, it’s the perfect comforting soup for the chilly winter months. Top with crunchy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese for the ultimate bowl of soup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The combination of spices like cumin, chili powder, and taco seasoning give the soup a rich flavor profile. Add some lime and you have that zing that makes this soup both satisfying and mouthwatering for the next bite. It’s hearty and comforting with the shredded chicken, black beans, and corn. It’s fulfilling nature is perfect for warming up on a chilly or for a comforting meal at any time. You can top this soup off with some extra tortilla strips, creamy avocado slices, shredded cheese, and sour cream. This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores in your area, making it accessible for any level of home cook. This soup offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that are sure to please everyone at the table, making it a favorite for family dinners, gatherings with friends, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Breasts: You want boneless and skinless. You can use bone-in if you wish, just be sure to remove all of the bones after simmering it in the soup.
Vegetable Oil: You can use canola oil. Used for frying the tortilla strips and the veggies.
6-inch Corn Tortillas: Used for the tortilla strips. You can’t have chicken tortilla soup without the tortilla part! You can also use premade tortilla strips. Flour tortillas don’t fry well; just keep that in mind. They have to be corn tortillas.
Yellow Onion, Garlic, Jalapenos: Onions & jalapenos are commonly found in chicken tortilla soups. The aroma of the two sauteing together is just magical. Add in some garlic and you have the best flavor builders.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Adds a great smoky flavor to the soup. Note that chipotle peppers are hotter than jalapenos, so be mindful if you want to add more in the soup. Two peppers are the perfect kick for this soup.
Chicken Broth: The soup part of the soup! You can use vegetable broth instead if you wish. Beef broth might be too rich for this soup. Low sodium is preferred so you can control the salt that goes into the soup.
Black Beans & Corn: Hearty and sweet, these two veggies are a match made in heaven. It also provides more nutrition and texture.
Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Taco Seasoning, Salt: The seasoning for the soup. Taco seasoning adds great flavor to the soup. Feel free to use your own taco seasoning if you make it homemade!
Fresh Cilantro: A great pop of color and vibrant flavor.
Lime Juice: Fresh squeezed is the key. The concentrated stuff in the bottles often lack in flavor. Freshly squeezed limes are much brighter and more intense than the bottled variety. On the plus side, it’s cheaper to buy a lime than a bottle.
Crushed Tomatoes: Provides a thicker texture to the soup and helps create a heartier base. It’s also concentrated in flavor, so it enhances the overall taste of the soup. Letting it simmer with all of the ingredients allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and savory broth.

Tips & FAQs

Storage: Allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Allow to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer-safe ziploc bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, as the soup can become a bit thinner if heated from frozen. Reheat on the stovetop in a pot over medium-low heat to ensure even heating.
Variations:
- Switch the protein for shredded turkey, beef, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. You can use leftover chicken breasts too instead of cooking fresh chicken.
- Add bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or carrots to the soup for extra nutrition.
- Switch the black beans for kidney, pinto, or even chickpeas. Or you can add them with the black beans for extra protein!
- Get creative with toppings! Aside from the classic tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and sour cream, you can add sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, or a squeeze of lime.
- Add some cooked rice or small pasta shells to make the soup more filling.
- Bake the tortilla strips instead: Toss tortilla strips in a bowl with 2 Tbsp oil until well coated. Bake on a cookie sheet in a single layer at 350F in the oven for 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can buy a premade bag of tortilla strips.

Recipe:

Servings 6-8

Author Dani Bayer

Prep time

10 Min

Cook time

45 Min

Total time

55 Min

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