If you are craving a hearty, flavorful, and comforting meal, this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe is exactly what you need to brighten up your day. With tender shredded chicken, vibrant diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a warm blend of spices, every spoonful bursts with a delicious blend of smoky, tangy, and savory notes. This soup not only packs a punch in taste but also brings a lovely blend of textures with crisp tortilla strips and fresh cilantro, making it a family favorite that warms both the heart and soul.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients are the cornerstone of this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe, each adding their own flair to create a complex and satisfying dish. From the fragrant spices to the fresh veggies, every component plays a vital role in building the soup’s delightful flavor and inviting color.
- Cooked and shredded chicken breast: Provides protein and a tender, meaty texture that makes the soup hearty.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Acts as the flavorful base while keeping the saltiness balanced.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Adds vibrant color, juiciness, and a touch of mild heat.
- Red bell pepper, diced: Infuses sweetness and a pop of bright red for visual appeal.
- Onion, diced: Brings natural sweetness and depth when sautéed.
- Garlic, minced: Adds aromatic richness that elevates the entire soup.
- Cumin: Offers a warm, earthy undertone essential for authentic flavor.
- Chili powder: Provides a subtle smoky spice to wake up your taste buds.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a gentle smoky aroma that enhances the soup’s complexity.
- Corn tortillas: Cut into strips and toasted to crispy perfection for garnish.
- Fresh lime juice: Adds zesty brightness that ties all the flavors together.
- Cilantro: Gives a fresh, herbaceous note that lightens the soup beautifully.
How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onions and cook until they become translucent and fragrant. Then add minced garlic and diced red bell peppers, letting everything mingle for a few minutes until softened and bursting with aroma. This foundation of sautéed vegetables lays the groundwork for deep flavor in the soup.
Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies along with the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, which helps to meld the flavors and begins the transformation into a rich, hearty soup. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, allowing everything to gently cook together.
Step 3: Incorporate Chicken and Spices
Stir in the shredded chicken breast and sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. These spices create a warm and inviting flavor profile typical of this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe. Let the soup simmer for at least ten minutes to allow the flavors to fuse perfectly.
Step 4: Final Touches Before Serving
Just before serving, add a generous splash of fresh lime juice, giving the soup a zesty lift that brightens the entire bowl. The citrusy notes balance the smoky spices beautifully and tie all the ingredients together.
How to Serve Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishes are what truly bring this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe to life. Crisp, golden tortilla strips add satisfying crunch, while fresh cilantro sprigs introduce a burst of herbal freshness. A wedge of lime on the side lets everyone customize the tanginess to their liking, making each bowl uniquely delicious.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with simple side dishes like warm cornbread or a fresh green salad. The cornbread’s buttery texture complements the soup’s spiced broth, while a crisp salad adds refreshing contrast. You can also serve it alongside some cheesy quesadillas for a fun, Tex-Mex-inspired meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stylish dinner party or a cozy family night, serve the soup in rustic bowls topped with avocado slices and a dollop of sour cream. You can even sprinkle some shredded cheese or diced jalapeños on top for an extra kick and richer texture. The contrast of colors and textures makes the dish as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palette.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe leftovers keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. The flavors often deepen overnight, making the next-day serving even tastier. Just remember to keep the tortilla strips separate until ready to serve to maintain their crispness.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this soup later, it’s freezer-friendly! Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Avoid freezing the tortilla strips; add those fresh when reheating to keep that perfect crunch intact.
Reheating
Reheat the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally to warm evenly. Once heated through, top with freshly made tortilla strips and your favorite garnishes for a quick and satisfying meal that tastes just like fresh.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully for this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe, saving you time while adding deliciously tender chicken to your soup.
Is this soup spicy?
The soup has a gentle heat balanced by smoky and zesty flavors from the spices and lime juice, but you can easily adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder or fresh jalapeños.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the shredded chicken. Adding beans or extra vegetables helps keep the soup filling and flavorful.
What are some good toppings for Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe?
Besides tortilla strips and cilantro, try avocado slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, or fresh jalapeño slices for extra texture and flavor.
How thick or thin is this soup?
This soup has a medium broth consistency—rich and hearty but still light enough to enjoy as a comforting bowl rather than a stew.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe is one of those delightful dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. With its irresistible blend of spices, fresh ingredients, and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s no wonder this soup becomes a go-to meal for many. Give it a try, and you might just find yourself reaching for it again and again, sharing its comforting goodness with family and friends.
Print
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This hearty and flavorful Chicken Tortilla Soup combines tender shredded chicken with a zesty blend of tomatoes, bell peppers, and aromatic spices, all simmered to perfection in a rich chicken broth. Finished with fresh lime juice, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips, this comforting soup delivers a delicious taste of classic Mexican-inspired cuisine in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
For Garnish
- Corn tortillas (cut into strips and fried or baked until crispy)
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh cilantro
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until they become translucent. Then add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking together for a few more minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the juice) and pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer gently.
- Incorporate Chicken and Spices: Add the shredded cooked chicken breast along with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika to the simmering soup. Stir well to combine all flavors. Let the soup simmer for an additional 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Prepare Garnishes and Finish: Just before serving, add a splash of fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crispy tortilla strips and freshly chopped cilantro for added texture and freshness.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the soup.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy diced tomatoes.
- To make crispy tortilla strips, cut corn tortillas into thin strips and bake or fry them until golden and crisp.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Consider adding toppings like shredded cheese, avocado slices, or sour cream for extra richness.
