Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jan 30, 2023, Updated Feb 14, 2024

5 from 9 votes

7 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This chicken tortilla soup recipe is easy to make in 40 minutes on the stovetop. Learn how to make chicken tortilla soup that’s even more delicious than your favorite restaurant!

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2)

This chicken tortilla soup is one of our family’s favorite soup recipes (along with this taco soup). It’s healthy and easy to make in 40 minutes on the stovetop!

This chicken tortilla soup is loaded with chicken, veggies, and beans, flavorful with herbs and spices and topped with the best homemade tortilla strips.

It tastes even better than your favorite restaurant and is an irresistible soup recipe you will make on repeat.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (3)

Chicken Tortilla Soup: Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (4)
  • Chicken Breasts. I suggest thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best results.
  • Onion. Use a sweet, yellow onion or red onion.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred can be used. You can replace 1 tablespoon minced garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder (add with the spices).
  • Green Bell Pepper. Any color bell pepper works well.
  • Diced tomatoes. fire roasted, with green chilies or just plain diced tomatoes all work well in this taco soup recipe.
  • Green Chiles. choose your “heat” preference, we use mild.
  • Chicken Broth. Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken, although I prefer chicken broth.
  • Black Beans. Other beans that work well are kidney beans and great northern (white) beans.
  • Taco Seasoning. Make your own with this Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe, or use an organic seasoning to avoid unfavorable ingredients. This is a mild chicken tortilla soup, but you can easily increase the heat/spice by adding chili powder, hot sauce, spicy taco seasoning, jalapeño peppers, etc.
  • Frozen Corn. You can substitute fresh corn.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (5)

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe is easy to make on the stovetop. We’ll walk through it together, and don’t forget tow watch the video.

Cook olive oil, onion green pepper and garlic over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes or until onions are translucent.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (6)

Then, add the diced tomatoes, chiles, chicken broth, lime juice, taco seasoning, sea salt, pepper, chicken breasts, beans and corn to the pot and stir to combine.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (7)

Next, bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat, cover and simmer until the chicken is easily shredded with a fork (about 25-30 minutes).

Once the chicken is fully cooked, shred it and then return it to the pot.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (8)

Then, add the cilantro and cover and simmer for 10-30 minutes (until ready to serve).

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (9)

Make the Tortilla Strips

While the soup is cooking (preferably while the chicken is cooking before it needs to be shredded), make the tortilla strips (I have a full post dedicated to making tortilla strips here: homemade tortilla strips)

Begin by preheating the olive oil in a large skillet, then add the tortilla strips and stir to combine

Cook over medium-high heat for 2-5 minutes, stirring often, until crispy. Sprinkle warm strips with salt and set them aside to serve on top of the soup!

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (10)

Serve

Once the homemade chicken tortilla soup is ready, serve it warm with sour cream, cheese, chopped onion, sliced avocado or homemade guacamole, and homemade tortilla strips. Check out all of our favorite Mexican Recipes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (11)

Store/Freeze

Store leftover chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (12)

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe FAQs

How do I thicken Chicken Tortilla Soup?

This soup isn’t supposed to be very thick, however, you can thicken it in a few ways:
1) At the end of the cook time, simmer with the lid slightly ajar to cook off some of the water.
2) Add some cornmeal to the soup or crushed tortilla strips.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double the ingredients and cook it in a large stockpot.

How do I make Chicken Tortilla Soup spicier?

We prefer a mild soup. Here are some suggested additions to make it spicier:
Jalapeños (dice and cook with the onions/green peppers).
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper
Hot sauce

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (13)

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (14)

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (15)

SavePinPrint

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Laura

This chicken tortilla soup recipe is easy to make in 40 minutes on the stovetop. Learn how to make chicken tortilla soup that's even more delicious than your favorite restaurant!

5 from 9 votes

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 10 Servings

Calories 223

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time40 minutes minutes

Total Time50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 green bell pepper finely diced
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 4 ounces mild green chiles
  • 4 cups chicken broth (1 quart)
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts sliced thin
  • 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • ½ cup Fresh cilantro finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Homemade tortilla strips

  • 4 corn tortillas (6" round) cut into 1” strips (or two 8-10” flour tortillas)
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Make the Soup

  • Cook olive oil, onion green pepper and garlic for 3-5 minutes or until onions are translucent.

  • Add diced tomatoes, chiles, chicken broth, lime juice, taco seasoning, sea salt, pepper, chicken breasts, beans and corn to the pot and stir to combine.

  • Bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover and simmer until the chicken is easily shredded with a fork (about 25-30 minutes).

  • Shred the chicken then return it to the pot.

  • Add the cilantro, cover and simmer for 10-30 minutes (until ready to serve).

  • Serve hot with sour cream, cheese, chopped onion, sliced avocado, and homemade tortilla strips.

Make the Tortilla Strips:

  • Preheat olive oil in a large skillet

  • Add tortilla strips and stir to combine

  • Cook over medium-high heat for 2-5 minutes, stirring often, until crispy.

  • Sprinkle warm strips with salt.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Chicken Breasts. I suggest thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best results.
  • Onion. Use a sweet, yellow onion or red onion.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred can be used. You can replace 1 tablespoon minced garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder (add with the spices).
  • Green Bell Pepper. Any color bell pepper works well.
  • Diced tomatoes. fire roasted, with green chilies or just plain diced tomatoes all work well in this taco soup recipe.
  • Green Chiles. choose your “heat” preference, we use mild.
  • Chicken Broth. Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken, although I prefer chicken broth.
  • Black Beans. Other beans that work well are kidney beans and great northern (white) beans.
  • Taco Seasoning. Make your own with this Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe, or use an organic seasoning to avoid unfavorable ingredients. This is a mild chicken tortilla soup, but you can easily increase the heat/spice by adding chili powder, hot sauce, spicy taco seasoning, jalapeño peppers, etc.
  • Frozen Corn. You can substitute fresh corn.

Store/Freeze

Store leftover chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 759mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Homemade Tortilla Strips

Taco Soup Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Tacos (Mexican Chicken)

Chicken Enchiladas

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Easy Guacamole Recipe (5 Minutes)

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does chicken tortilla soup contain? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why is my tortilla soup watery? ›

Sometimes all your soup needs is a little more time on the stove. Allow your chicken tortilla soup to simmer uncovered for an extended period. The heat will help evaporate some of the liquid, naturally thickening the soup. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the soup from sticking or burning.

How do you tone down chicken tortilla soup? ›

Adding any or all of the following ingredients can help reduce the heat:
  1. Something sweet (sugar, honey, etc.)
  2. More liquid (water or broth)
  3. Something starchy (like potatoes, rice, or pasta)
  4. Something acidic (tomatoes, wine, citrus, etc.)
  5. Dairy (yogurt, sour cream, milk, cheese)
Dec 9, 2022

What goes well with chicken tortilla soup? ›

Chicken and tortilla soup goes well with corn tortillas, a simple side salad made from lettuce tomatoes and avocadoes. This soup is hearty enough to be a meal. If you are looking for a drink to match perhaps a glass of tamarind juice. Perhaps you can add a glass of California's sauvignon blanc to the experience.

What is chicken soup broth made of? ›

Broth is made from the chicken flesh, but not bones. It may have a good chicken flavor, but will lack the mouthfeel of a stock, and remains liquid when chilled. Soup is made from either broth or stock and generally is the finished product with added meat, vegetables and noodles or rice.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

What does cornstarch do in soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the best soup thickener? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

Does tortilla soup go bad? ›

If the soup is homemade, it usually lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge and can be frozen for 2-3 months. How do you tell if Tortilla Soup is bad? Spoiled tortilla soup will start showing signs like an off smell, change in color and texture. It might also grow mold.

How do you tone down spice in tortilla soup? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

Why does my chicken tortilla soup taste bland? ›

Using too little seasoning

Reaching for something spicy without much distinct flavor, like cayenne, will result in a bland and spicy broth. Earthy spices like cumin and coriander are aromatic but not spicy. Chili powder is a blend that skews more flavorful than spicy, especially if you craft your own.

How to give chicken soup more Flavour? ›

How To Add More Flavor To Chicken Noodle Soup
  1. Homemade Chicken Broth. The secret to a flavorful chicken noodle soup lies in the broth. ...
  2. Add Fresh Herbs. ...
  3. Splash of Acid. ...
  4. Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce. ...
  5. Spice it Up. ...
  6. Roasted Vegetables. ...
  7. Experiment with Spices. ...
  8. Parmesan Cheese.
Jan 31, 2024

How to make chicken soup a little thicker? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Does chicken tortilla soup contain gluten? ›

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

It's loaded with veggies and protein, plus it's naturally gluten free and dairy free!

What is sopa de tortilla made of? ›

Sopa de tortilla is a Mexican soup featuring corn tortilla strips served in a chicken broth seasoned with tomatoes and pasilla chiles. It's garnished with avocado, Mexican cheese, and crema.

Does chicken tortilla soup have a lot of protein? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a protein-rich dish, thanks to the inclusion of chicken as the main ingredient. A serving typically provides around 15-20 grams of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.

Does chicken tortilla soup have a lot of carbs? ›

​Calories:​ One cup of tortilla soup has 281 calories. ​Total fat​:​ One cup of tortilla soup has 18.3 grams of total fat, which includes 6.6 grams of saturated fat and 0 grams of trans fat. ​​Carbohydrates​:​ One cup of tortilla soup has 18 grams of carbs, which includes 5.1 grams of fiber and 1.4 grams of sugar.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5903

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.