Zesty Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of hearty chicken tortilla soup that whispers stories of Mexican culinary traditions.

Fragrant spices dance through a rich broth, promising warmth and satisfaction.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among vibrant vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors.

Crispy tortilla strips add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth liquid base.

Cilantro and lime bring a fresh brightness that awakens every taste bud.

Childhood memories of family gatherings seem to simmer within each spoonful.

This soul-warming dish invites you to savor every bite and experience a true taste of home-cooked magic.

Chicken Tortilla Soup That Never Gets Old

• Quick and Hearty Meal: Whip up this chicken tortilla soup in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the soup with your favorite toppings like extra spicy jalapeños, crispy tortilla strips, or a dollop of creamy sour cream to match your taste preferences.
• Effortless Cooking Options: Choose between stovetop or slow cooker methods, making this recipe flexible for different cooking styles and schedules, ensuring a stress-free meal preparation.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein from chicken, fiber-rich beans, and vibrant vegetables, this soup delivers a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and provides essential nutrients in every spoonful.

What You’ll Blend for Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Chicken: Hearty protein that forms the base of the soup, best when boneless and skinless for easy shredding.

• Taco Seasoning, Chili Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper: Warm and complex spice blend that gives the soup its signature Mexican-inspired flavor profile.

• Chicken Broth: Provides rich liquid base and deepens overall soup flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes, Rotel Tomatoes: Adds moisture, tangy flavor, and slight acidity to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor, choose fresh for best taste.
• Black Beans, Corn, Diced Green Chilies: Adds texture, color, and authentic southwestern character.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown chicken and sauté vegetables, provides subtle background flavor.

• Avocado, Lime Wedges, Sour Cream, Tortilla Strips, Cilantro: Fresh toppings that add brightness, creaminess, and crunch to the final dish.

Make Chicken Tortilla Soup Like A Pro

Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Drop in chicken pieces and cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown, releasing those mouthwatering aromas.

Scoop out the chicken and set it aside for later.

Step 2: Awaken the Aromatics

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until they become soft and fragrant, filling your kitchen with incredible smells.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Slide the browned chicken back into the pot.

• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Rotel tomatoes
• Diced green chilies
• Taco seasoning
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Chicken broth

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat.

Let everything bubble and meld together for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is perfectly cooked.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

Season with salt and pepper to match your taste.

• Sliced avocado
• Fresh lime wedges
• Dollop of sour cream
• Crispy tortilla strips
• Chopped cilantro

Slow Cooker Variation:

Step 1: Total Blend

Dump all ingredients into the slow cooker and give it a good stir.

Step 2: Low and Slow

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and flavors have married beautifully.

Step 3: Final Touch

Season to taste and garnish just like the stovetop version.

Soup Tips That Elevate Chicken Tortilla Bowls

• Adjust cayenne pepper and chili powder to match your spice tolerance, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Brown chicken thoroughly before adding other ingredients to develop rich, caramelized notes that enhance the overall soup's complexity.
• Easily swap chicken with turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based alternatives for a versatile and adaptable soup recipe.
• Prepare larger batches and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick, convenient meals that retain full flavor when reheated.
• Crisp tortilla strips just before serving to maintain their crunchiness and prevent sogginess in the soup.

Preserve the Taste of Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Store leftover chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Pour soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Stop when soup is hot and bubbling.

Cozy Ideas For Tortilla Soup

• Pair Zesty Mexican Lager: Crisp Corona or Modelo Especial cuts through the soup's rich, spicy flavors and cleanses the palate with its light, refreshing character.
• Enhance Citrus Margarita: Tangy tequila-based cocktail with fresh lime complements the soup's bold spices and adds a bright, zingy counterpoint to the hearty dish.
• Match Fresh Cilantro Mocktail: Non-alcoholic herbal drink with lime and sparkling water echoes the soup's fresh garnish and provides a cooling balance to the spicy broth.
• Elevate Smooth Red Sangria: Fruity wine blend with orange and apple slices offers a sweet-tart complexity that harmonizes with the soup's robust Mexican-inspired ingredients.

Cozy and Crunchy Chicken Tortilla Soup Ideas

• Vegetarian Fiesta Soup: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or black beans for a hearty meatless version that maintains robust flavor profile.
• Seafood Coastal Soup: Swap chicken with shrimp or white fish to create a lighter, ocean-inspired soup that brings fresh maritime taste to the classic recipe.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Soup: Use gluten-free taco seasoning and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, making the soup safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Sodium Option: Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth, skipping added salt, and selecting no-salt-added canned tomatoes and beans for health-conscious individuals.

FAQs

• Why use taco seasoning in this soup?

Taco seasoning adds a complex blend of spices that instantly boosts flavor, providing a quick and easy way to introduce authentic Mexican-inspired taste without measuring multiple individual spices.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, frozen chicken works perfectly. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s fully cooked through and reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• How can I make this soup spicier?

Add more cayenne pepper, include diced jalapeños, or use a spicier variety of Rotel tomatoes. You can also add hot sauce directly to your individual serving for customized heat level.

• Is this soup healthy?

Absolutely! This soup is protein-packed from chicken, loaded with beans and vegetables, and can be lower in calories by using lean chicken breast and controlling garnish portions.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican chicken tortilla soup weaves comfort and spice into a soul-warming culinary experience. Crisp tortilla strips and tender chicken create a harmonious blend of traditional flavors you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Canned Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10 ounce/284 grams) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 (14.5 ounce/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce/425 grams) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce/425 grams) can corn, drained
• 1 (10 ounce/284 grams) can rotel tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 (4 ounce/113 grams) can diced green chilies

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (1.25 ounce/35 grams) packet taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For serving:

• Avocado
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream
• Tortilla strips
• Cilantro

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a robust pot, gently sear chicken pieces until golden and slightly crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer protein to a clean plate.
2. Sauté aromatic onions and garlic in the same pot until translucent and fragrant, releasing their delightful essence.
3. Reintroduce chicken to the pot and pour in vibrant diced tomatoes, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, zesty Rotel tomatoes, spicy green chilies, and a blend of robust seasonings including taco mix, chili powder, earthy cumin, and optional cayenne for heat.
4. Pour chicken broth into the pot, allowing ingredients to meld and simmer gently. Let the liquid bubble softly, transforming flavors for approximately 25 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
6. Artfully ladle the steaming soup into deep bowls, creating a colorful canvas topped with creamy avocado slices, tangy lime wedges, dollops of cool sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, and fresh cilantro sprigs.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or using mild Rotel tomatoes for a less intense heat profile.
• Swap chicken for rotisserie or shredded chicken to reduce cooking time and add extra flavor complexity.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-sodium taco seasoning to control salt content for health-conscious individuals.
• Transform into a vegetarian version by replacing chicken with additional beans, quinoa, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or jackfruit.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg