The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

There is a reason why chicken tortilla soup has stood the test of culinary time, and it involves its heartwarming and healing properties. My chicken tortilla soup recipe is one you'll want to save!

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Comfort in a Bowl

I love making soups, but they aren't always filling. However, this chicken tortilla soup is different! It’s packed with protein, easy to prepare, and develops great flavor quickly.

My chicken tortilla soup is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re tired or unsure what to cook. It's a gluten-free meal made with pantry staples that comes together in under an hour with minimal effort. Check out the recipe below!

Jump to:

• Comfort in a Bowl
• Why You'll Love This
• Ingredients
• Substituions & Variations
• Equipment
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage
• FAQ
• Related
• Chicken Tortilla Soup

Why You'll Love This

Chicken tortilla soup has enduring appeal due to its heartwarming and healing properties. Historically, chicken soup was used to help treat illnesses, providing nourishment for ailments like asthma and leprosy.

Many, including myself, crave chicken tortilla soup when feeling unwell. Doctors and grandmothers have long recommended it, as cooking chicken releases amino acids that mimic certain medicinal properties, helping to fight infections like bronchitis. It’s pretty remarkable!

Ingredients

Here is everything you will need to make this recipe!

• Olive oil: Adds richness and aids in sautéing vegetables.
• Yellow onion: Provides sweetness and savory depth.
• Diced green chili: Adds mild heat and tangy flavor.
• Garlic: Infuses aromatic savory depth.
• Shredded chicken breast: Adds lean protein and hearty texture.
• Lime juice: Provides refreshing acidity.
• Diced tomatoes: Creates a tangy, juicy base for the soup.
• Black beans: Contribute creamy texture and earthy flavor.
• Frozen yellow corn: Adds sweetness and crunch.
• Chili powder: Brings smoky, spicy heat.
• Cumin: Adds warm, earthy flavor.
• Paprika: Imparts subtle smokiness and color.
• Salt: Enhances and balances flavors.
• Oregano: Adds herby freshness.
• Pepper: Provides mild heat and flavor balance.
• Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the soup.

Toppings

• Crispy tortilla strips: Add crunch and contrast.
• Shredded cheese: Adds creamy richness.
• Jalapeño slices: Provide fresh, spicy kick.
• Avocado slices: Offer creamy, cool richness.
• Fresh cilantro: Adds freshness and herbaceous flavor.
• Lime wedges: Add a zesty, refreshing finish.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!

Substituions & Variations

These tips below can help you adjust the recipe!

• Bean Subs: Substitute black beans with pinto beans!
• Chicken Alternatives: Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.

Please note that this recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations than the ones listed above.

Equipment

All you need for this recipe is the following; a dutch oven and a mixing bowl!

Instructions

Foundation of a Good Soup

While soups can be easy to make, they can also turn out flavorless. The soup base is crucial for taste and warmth, and for this recipe, we use onion, garlic, and diced green chilis. The chilis add a kick, while the onion and garlic enhance the flavor, allowing other ingredients to absorb this base.

To start, heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat and add the diced onion. Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion releases its aroma. Then, reduce the heat to medium and add the green chilis and garlic, sautéing for two more minutes to build a flavorful base for the chicken.

Perfectly Cooked Chicken

There are two options for chicken in this soup: rotisserie chicken or home-cooked chicken. While rotisserie chicken can be convenient, its quality varies—sometimes it's moist, but other times it's overcooked and dry, which is hard to fix.

I always choose home-cooked chicken for guaranteed quality and perfect cooking. Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Let two pounds of chicken breasts come to room temperature, then pat them dry.
3. Season each piece with two teaspoons of olive oil, two teaspoons of oregano, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper, ensuring both sides are well coated.
4. Roast the chicken on the center rack for 20-25 minutes. Once done, let it cool for ten minutes.
5. Shred the chicken using a meat shredder or two forks.

Now the chicken is ready to be added to the soup.

Layering the Flavors

The flavor base is crucial for building the dish, so after adding the chicken and lime juice, stir to combine before adding the tomatoes, black beans, and corn. The lime juice enhances the chicken with a citrusy zing.

For tomatoes, canned is fine, but fresh is even better. Rinse and drain the black beans twice to avoid adding excess liquid, and use frozen corn to prevent overcooking.

Once the chicken, lime juice, and vegetables are combined, add your spices from a small bowl to layer the flavors. This sets the stage for the final important step to bring everything together.

Steady Simmer

Now the magic happens! Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil—this enhances flavor and speeds up cooking. After boiling, reduce to a simmer to allow the flavors to develop.

Cover the pot and let it simmer on medium-low for at least thirty minutes, or on low for up to an hour. Afterward, taste the soup; you may want to adjust with more salt or lime juice based on your preference.

Serving Suggestions

I love how fast this soup comes together! One of the best things about this soup is that most of the ingredients can be found in your pantry. Chicken tortilla soup doesn't need fancy ingredients to be delicious; just let the flavors speak for themselves. Everything comes together in such a delicious way! Moreover, the toppings you add can enhance certain flavors of the soup. Check out how these crowd favorite toppings can change the taste of this chicken tortilla soup:

• Jalapeños: If you're all about the spicy, then this hot pepper is the perfect addition! Leave the seeds in the sliced jalapeño for an extra punch of flavor.
• Fresh cilantro: You either love or hate cilantro. If you're pro cilantro, then this herb is the perfect topping to add a fresh, peppery taste to the soup.
• Sour cream: Who doesn't love sour cream? This creamy topping adds a rich flavor with a slightly acidic tang to our recipe. It'll also thicken the broth and make the soup a little heavier.
• Cheese: Personally, this topping is a must for me! Whether it's shredded colby jack or a sharp cheddar, you can't go wrong with a layer of melted cheese.
• Tortilla crisps: A good recipe is all about a balance of texture and flavors. I love toasting some sliced corn tortillas in the air fryer with a little olive oil and tajin on them. They add the perfect crunch!
• Avocado: This slightly nutty, creamy topping is a beautiful addition to the chicken tortilla soup. It can balance out any heat with its earthy undertones.
• Lime wedges: Looking for a little more zest? An extra hit of lime juice will bring those zesty flavors forward.

There are so many other toppings that you can add, but these are just a few of my favorites. The great thing about this soup is that there's no such thing as too many toppings!

Storage

Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Keep toppings like tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, cilantro, and lime separate, adding them just before serving for freshness.

FAQ

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