Chicken Tortilla Soup

Nothing soothes the soul and warms the body like a big bowl of chicken tortilla soup. 

This dish is quick, easy to make, and sure to please everyone. It's hearty, filling, full of spices and loaded with chicken, black beans and corn. It gets jazzed up with lots of toppings to make each bite fun and unique. You can create a topping station when you serve this soup, so everyone can add what they love. It's delicious all year round but is especially good in the winter and ideal for a weeknight or lazy weekend.

What is a chicken tortilla soup?

Chicken tortilla soup is an authentic Mexican dish made with chicken, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chilli powder and crispy tortilla strips. Ingredients usually include corn, beans, and often other additions like jalapenos and cilantro. This tasty and comforting dish is most commonly made with chicken but can also be prepared with beef, lamb, or fish.

Chicken tortilla soup recipe

Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chilli powder
1 lb (450 grams) chicken breasts
8 corn tortillas
20 oz (560 grams) crushed tomatoes
32 oz (940 ml) chicken broth 
14 oz (400 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
14 oz corn, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (reserve 1/4 of it for garnish)
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1 avocado
1 lime, cut into wedges

Preparation

Tortilla strips

Step 01

Preheat a pan with 1/4 cup oil over medium-high heat. 

Step 02

Make thin strips of tortillas and fry them in batches until crisp. 

Step 03

Remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel. 

Step 04

Continue with the remaining tortilla strips, adding more olive oil as needed. Set aside.

Chicken tortilla soup

Step 01

Preheat a pot with oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, garlic and chopped jalapeño, and sauté until softened.

Step 02

Add chicken, beans, crushed tomatoes, corn, chilli powder, cumin, salt, 1/4 cup of cilantro, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and let simmer for at least 25 minutes.

Step 03

Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it. Return the shredded chicken to the soup and simmer for another 5 minutes. Then add lime juice.

Step 04

Serve the soup with tortilla strips, avocado slices, fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

What to serve with chicken tortilla soup

Now it's time for the fun part. Tortilla soup is a versatile dish that goes well with just about anything. You can serve it alongside crusty bread or a green side salad for the perfect meal. There is only one thing that can make chicken tortilla soup even better: the toppings. You can load it up with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cotija cheese, and black olives.

How to store leftover soup

Store your leftover chicken tortilla soup without toppings in an airtight container in the fridge. It should remain fresh for 3-4 days.

You can also freeze your soup in an airtight container for up to two months. When you are ready to consume it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat the soup by bringing it to a boil in a saucepan.

If you're looking for more sensational Mexican food, check out this satisfying one-pot white chicken chilli and this delightful tortilla soup by actress, model and cook Eva Longoria.