The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
I’m in love with this soup!! A very good friend of mine made this for me recently and I fell in love. I’m very picky about my Tortilla Soup and this by far the best ever. She makes hers in the crock pot and I have to agree, that it’s easy and tastes just wonderful!! Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the garnishes! They are the icing on the cake! UPDATE April 2010: Obviously I’ve made this so many times I never even look at the recipe anymore! But I wanted to add some variations that I play around with that are great. Like many reviewers black beans and corn are great additions. Sometimes I add them to the leftovers so that is feels like something new the next day! I have also made it several times with shredded pork which turns it into a pork carnitas type of soup. If you like it on the spicy and smoke side buy a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and mince up one or two and add it. And lastly, a little swizzle of half and half or heavy cream just minutes before serving makes it a creamy tortilla soup that is wonderful and it is also a good way to tone down the heat if it got away from you…
Provided by Jill4man
| 1 can chicken broth |
| 1 can tomato sauce |
| 1 can diced tomatoes |
| 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded |
| 2 anaheim chilies, diced |
| 3 -4 large tomatoes, diced |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced |
| 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce |
| 1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper |
| 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese |
| 1 avocado, chopped |
| 1/4 cup cilantro, pulled from stem |
| 1 lime, cut into wedges |
| 2 cups crushed tortilla chips |
Steps:
How To Make Tortilla Soup :
Detailed instructions are included in the full recipe below, but here is a brief overview of the process for how to make tortilla soup plus a few helpful tips!
Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients
What will you need to make this zesty tortilla soup? It only requires 15 simple ingredients 10 of which are pantry staples!
- Olive oil To sauté the veggies.
- Onion The beginning of every great soup recipe.
- Cilantro If you dont love raw cilantro, you may still enjoy this soup, because the cilantro is well-cooked.
- Garlic Fresh is best!
- Chicken broth; Use your favorite brand.
- Diced tomatoes Look for a brand of canned tomatoes that offers fired roasted for extra flavor.
- Chicken breasts Cook them whole, right in the broth.
- Ground cumin For deep smoky essence.
- Chili powder Or pure ground chiles.
- Cayenne pepper For a little kick!
- Bay leaves For a deep herbaceous note.
- Carrots If the skins arent rough and fuzzy, theres no need to peel the carrots.
- Monterey jack cheese; To thicken the soup and to add as a garnish
- Avocados The perfect creamy topper.
- Bag of tortilla chips To thicken the soup and to add as a crunchy topping!
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Ingredients In Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Not only is this recipe loaded with both protein and vegetables, it is made with many pantry staples you likely already have on hand. The bulk of the ingredients include:
- Chicken: I used two large, boneless skinless chicken breasts here . Feel free to use chicken thighs here if you prefer!
- Black Beans: Ups the protein content of this soup to keep you feeling full all day. Also loaded with fiber.
- Corn: I love how the sweetness of the corn contrasts with the spices in this soup. I used 1 can of corn, but you could easily sub frozen or even fresh corn here.
- Fire roasted tomatoes: Using diced tomatoes here brings so much flavor to the broth! Youll need two, 14.5oz cans
- Chicken broth: Forms the base of the broth. Vegetable broth will also work if thats all you have on hand.
- Chopped green chilies: You can typically find these in a small can in the Mexican food aisle. They come in both spicy and mild form . You can also use a chopped jalapeno if youre a big fan of spice!
- Cilantro: I love the flavor that cilantro adds to the broth. I know some people are very anti-cilantro, so feel free to leave this out, but youll be missing some of the flavor.
- Spices: The spice profile in this soup is pretty similar to a Mexican dish or chili cumin, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne.
Option 1 Chili Peppers + Blender
First, well toast the peppers in a dry skillet to bring out their flavor, then well roughly chop them and remove the stem and seeds. Then, well blend the toasted peppers into the canned tomatoes and proceed. This option is great because its the most authentic and lends a gorgeous, fiery red color and extra body to the soup.
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What Can I Serve With Soup
18 Perfect Side Dishes for Soup 01 of 18. Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Potato and Green Bean Salad. The Spruce / Diana Rattray. 03 of 18. Pear Salad With Walnuts and Gorgonzola. 04 of 18. Fried Paneer Cheese Pakora. Wilted Spinach Salad With Bacon. The Spruce / Diana Rattray. 06 of 18. Baked Stuffed Potatoes. 07 of 18. Baked Cheese and Veggie Quesadillas. 08 of 18.
Can I Take Out The Cilantro
Yes and no. Yes, you can take out any ingredient, but NO it will not taste the same. I will say, I have served this easy chicken tortilla soup recipe to several cilantro haters, and they loved it.
They say the illusive soapy taste is removed through the cooking process. Just be sure to leave the fresh cilantro off at the end.
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Nicks Tortilla Soup Recipes
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Time 1h30m
| 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin |
| About 1 1/4 teaspoons chilli powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste |
| 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil |
| 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper |
| 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper |
| 3 cloves garlic, minced |
| One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel |
| 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth |
| 4 cups hot water |
| Two 15-ounce cans black beans, drained |
| 3 tablespoons cornmeal |
| Other suggested toppings: Grated Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo |
Steps:
To Make Crispy Tortilla Strips:
- Pan Frying: Preheat a pan with 1/4 cup oil over medium-high heat. Cut 8 corn tortillas into thin strips and fry them in a couple of batches, adding more oil as needed. Remove from the pot and let drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
- To Bake: Toss tortilla strips in a bowl with 2 Tbsp oil until well coated. Bake on a cookie sheet in a single layer at 350F for 15 minutes.
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What Is Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup made with a tomato base. It usually has ingredients like corn, beans, and often other additions like jalapenos and cilantro. It is simmered, then topped with crispy tortilla strips and whatever youd like to add.
Tortilla soup is most commonly made with chicken;but you can also find it made with lamb, beef, and fish. Cooking the protein in the soup adds a ton of flavor!
Better Than Restaurant Quality
This chicken tortilla soup recipe is infused with a bunch of Mexican-inspired flavors and a few extra common pantry ingredients. No-fuss here, just saute the chicken and simmer everything in a big pot. The authentic taste of this smokey tomato-based soup shines through with each spoonful.
What makes this recipe lip-smackingly good is the combination of earthy spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, fresh and dried chilis, and charred tomatoes. The shredded chicken, vegetables, beans, and strip of corn tortillas simmer in the aromatic base.
In just 15 minutes, the soup becomes slightly thickened and packed with savory and spicy notes. Customize each bowl with colorful, creamy, and crunchy toppings for a delectable experience.
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Authentic Mexican Tortilla Soup
This authentic Mexican Tortilla Soup recipe, adapted from Rick;Bayless, is the best chicken tortilla soup that Ive ever had. Bright and acidic with smoky and spicy undertones.;
One of my favorite soups of all time just got a makeover! Ive made this Authentic Mexican Tortilla Soup recipe more times than I can count and we never tire of it. During the colder months, we make it at least once a month.
If youve stuck around the blog for some time, you might recognize this chicken tortilla soup. It was shared for the first time over four years ago and it has remained a reader favorite to this day.
The recipe has been re-tested, clarification and notes have been added to the instructions, and the photographs have been updated. It deserved some attention after all of these years, if only to remind you of just how good it is!
If youve been disappointed with other Mexican tortilla soup recipes, please give this one a try. It is the best that Ive ever had and takes just under an hour start to finish.
Best Tortillas For Chicken Tortilla Soup
The best tortillas to use for tortilla soup are stale yellow corn tortillas. Yellow corn tortillas are sturdier than white corn tortillas and have a richer flavor when cooked. Homemade is best, of course, but store-bought tortillas will also work for this recipe.
The tortillas should be a little stale, or dry; they’ll fry up more easily that way. My guess is that tortilla soup was first invented as a way to use leftover tortillas.
Since I don’t usually have dry tortillas sitting around, I put my fresh-from-the-fridge corn tortillas in a 200°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. That’s just enough heat to dry them sufficiently so they fry easily.
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Why Make This Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Simple Ingredient List
- Includes Instructions For Slow Cooker/Pressure Cooker
- Ready In Just About 40 Minutes
Tortilla soup is one of those recipes that;warms;you from the inside out! It starts off with a;rich, well developed;broth, full of chicken and corn, then is finally topped off with;crispy, crunchy;tortilla strips, rich avocado slices, fresh, punchy cilantro and;melty;shredded cheddar cheese. Talk about easy and delicious!
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
May 5, 2020 by Lisa Wells /
This easy Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup recipe is perfect for busy weeknights! The comfort of homemade chicken soup with all the Mexican flavors everyone loves.
This Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup recipe has it all! It’s a fast and easy weeknight meal. It’s the ultimate comfort foodhomemade chicken soup. And it has lots of spicy Mexican flavor with tomatoes, jalapeno, avocado, lime and tortilla strips.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.;
How To Reheat Chicken Tortilla Soup
- This soup reheats best on the stovetop. Cook on medium to medium-low heat, just keep covered and stir occasionally, until heated through.
- It is never recommended to reheat soup in a slow cooker for food safety reasons.
- For individual servings you can reheat in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. I like to reheat on a lower power when I heat just about anything that has meat in it, it helps keep the meat from becoming tough and rubbery.
Rotisserie Chickensa Love Story:
Can we talk for a second about how many easy dinners a rotisserie chicken can make? So many. Youre no less of a home cook for relying on the occasional shortcut, and cooked whole chicken is one of the greatest shortcuts of all time. If you dont end up using all of the chicken for this soup, toss the leftovers into a quick chicken salad for school lunches, or save some for tomorrow nights dinner .
But we digress. You get the idearotisserie chickens are great. Dont leave the store without one. Back to this easy chicken tortilla soup.
How To Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
Sauté the onion and jalapeño in an oiled Dutch oven, then add the diced garlic and continue cooking until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes and juice, black beans, chicken, corn, lime juice, spices and bring to a boil.
Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes, then stir in fresh cilantro and boil another minute.;
Ladle the homemade chicken tortilla soup into bowls and top with homemade tortilla strips , cubed avocado, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream.;
Mexican Tortilla Soup Toppings:
Then, of course, comes the best part. ;The toppings! This is what brings Mexican tortilla soup together and takes this soup over the top.;Each one contributes texture, flavor, and balance.
- crushed tortilla chips
- grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
- diced avocado
- cilantro leaves
- freshly squeezed lime juice
If youre serving this soup to a crowd, you can set out individual bowls of toppings and have everyone help themselves.
Alternatively, you can add the toppings to each empty soup bowl and ladle the hot soup over them just before serving. Its up to you!
How To Make Tortilla Soup
Its easy! Chicken tortilla soup takes just 30 minutes to cook. Prep your veggies first to save extra time. Make the tortilla strips while the soup is simmering .
You can also make the tortilla strips a few days in advance. They only need to pan fry for a minute or so on each side. Once theyre crisp, salt them and save them for later.
For the Chicken Tortilla Soup:
This recipe is crazy easy!
How Can I Thicken Soup Without Flour
A handful of uncooked rice. Thats all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that its cooking in.
Easy To Make And Customize
This soup is a family favorite that I enjoy serving alongside taco night, or on more chilly evenings. The extra pieces of corn, bell pepper, and black beans provide extra fiber and protein to each serving. The great thing about the recipe is that it doesnt require much effort to make or compromise on taste. All of the authentic flavors of a great chicken tortilla soup are created in one big pot.
I like to serve the soup with a lot of different toppings. Fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno peppers, diced avocado, sour cream, radish, green onions, and crispy fried tortilla chips add vibrant colors and interesting textures to each bowl. I cant wait to hear what you think and what toppings you add in the comments section below!
How To Make It
*See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Soften onions, jalapeno peppers, and garlic in butter. Add tomato paste, corn, undrained diced tomatoes, black beans, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, cumin, and hot sauce.
Add chicken broth and chicken breasts. Bubble;gently for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. Remove and use 2 forks to shred.;
Add the chicken back to the soup and reduce heat to low. Add cheddar and softened cream cheese and stir until smooth and combined. Garnish, and serve!
Why Is It Called Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is a traditional Mexican soup made of fried corn tortilla pieces, submerged into a broth of tomato, garlic, onion, and chile de árbol and epazote. Although the exact origin of tortilla soup is unknown, it is known that it comes from the Mexico City area in Mexico.
Don’t Skip Frying The Tortillas
The essential step that distinguishes tortilla soup from other Mexican soups is that you fry strips of corn tortillas in oil first, and then use the tortilla cooking oil to build the soup.
Tortillas chips aren’t merely a garnish for this soup. By using the tortilla frying oil as a base for the soup you infuse the whole soup with the warm flavor of toasted corn tortillas!
Sally Vargas
