Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of the easiest ever soup recipes and a family favorite!
Chicken breasts, corn, beans, and veggies are simmered in a simple seasoned tomato broth.
Garnish this delicious soup with crispy homemade tortilla strips, avocado, lime, and cilantro!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
One of the things I love best about travel is enjoying new foods and creating versions to enjoy at home for friends and family (and for you)! Chicken Tortilla Soup (and Lime Soup from Cancun) are a couple of my favorites to enjoy when I visit Mexico and of course I love soups of all kinds.
- This chicken tortilla soup recipe is easy to make!
- No need to precook the chicken; just toss it in the pot with the rest of the ingredients.
- It’s dairy-free, low in carbs and full of healthy goodness.
- It reheats and freezes well for future meals.
- Tortilla strips are fried crisp and add the perfect crunch. They can be made days ahead of time.
Ingredients in Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup made with a tomato broth base.
Chicken – Tortilla soup can also be made with lamb, beef, or fish, but since this is chicken tortilla soup, I use chicken breasts. You can also use skinless chicken thighs or shredded chicken.
Veggies – Onions, garlic, and jalapeños flavor the broth. You can add your favorite veggies, we love corn and tomatoes, but you can also add red pepper or celery. Black beans (or pinto beans) make this soup both hearty and filling.
Broth – Regular or low-sodium chicken broth and canned diced tomatoes (like Rotel) or fire roasted tomatoes are the base of the broth. Add spices (or even a little homemade taco seasoning for flavor.
Tortilla Strips – Crispy tortilla strips are used as a topping for this soup. They are made by cutting corn tortillas into thin strips, frying them until crispy, and seasoning them with salt.
How To Make Tortilla Soup
It’s easy! Chicken tortilla soup takes just 30 minutes to cook. Make the tortilla strips while the soup is simmering (or you can purchase Tortilla Strips online or at the grocery).
- Saute jalapeno and onion until fragrant. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer
- Remove the chicken and shred. Stir the chicken and some lime juice into the soup.
- Serve it with tortilla strips and desired toppings.
Prep Tip
You can make the crispy tortilla strips a few days in advance (and make extra, they’re great for snacking). They fry in oil for just a minute or two so they’re quick to make.
Be sure to salt them while they’re warm so the salt sticks and let them cool completely before putting them in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
A bright, tangy cabbage slaw or a Fresh Corn Salad goes well with this chicken tortilla soup recipe, or even simple cheese quesadillas.
Toppings for Chicken Tortilla Soup
In addition to tortilla strips you can add your own favorite toppings.
- Fresh: lime juice, fresh cilantro, red onion
- Creamy: Cotija cheese or shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado
- Other favorites: Guacamole, pico de gallo
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Taco Soup – So quick and flavorful!
- Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Easy Chicken Taco Soup
- Easy Fish Tacos – Favorite!
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos (Pressure Cooker)
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup – Set it and forget it!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño diced and seeded
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces canned black beans 1 can, rinsed & drained
- 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup corn drained if canned
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 avocado sliced, for garnish
For the Tortilla Strips
- 6 small corn tortillas cut into ¼-inch strips
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- salt
Instructions
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For the tortilla strips, cut the tortillas into ¼-inch strips. In a small pan, heat ¼ cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
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Add the tortillas, in small batches to the oil and fry them until they are crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towel. While warm, sprinkle with salt to taste.
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In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño to the pot, and cook until the onion is softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
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Add in the chicken broth, black beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, corn, lime juice, cilantro, ground cumin, and chili powder. Stir to combine.
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Add the chicken breasts and bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
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Spoon soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips, lime wedges, and sliced avocado.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American, Mexican
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No indication of amounts of ingredients
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Delicious and easy to prepare!
I omitted the avocado and peppers.
It was delicious
Absolutely best ever!
My favorite
BEST SOUP!! love this recipe and come back to it time and time again. Great for a chilly summer night, snowy winter night or even a sick day. Love to add shredded Mexican blend cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top which balances really well with the spices in the soup!
I make this all the time but I use the oil I fry the tortillas in to start the base of my soup, gives it a great flavor! Have also cooked in a crock pot too, just add everything at once and set it! Super easy recipe but very delicious!
This is so easy to make, really filling, inexpensive, and taste delicious
trying it tonight…but am currently using the slow cooker to make it (hubby’s idea) will add the beans later so they don’t break up too much…fingers crossed it works!
I am obsessed with this recipe and make it twice a week!!!! I don’t do the tortillas anymore mostly just being lazy tho as they’re delicious. Thank you so much, it’s an all time favourite from me!!!
Is there a way to make this in the instant pot?
I have never tried adapting this recipe for the instant pot but another reader has and cooked it on the soup setting for 15 minutes. I hope that helps!
So easy and so ridiculously fabulous..I have made this at least 5 times in the past month can’t get enough..a p
I just made this soup this afternoon for dinner. It is fantastic! I sprayed a pan with avocado oil spray and salt and pepper and cut a corn tortilla into small strips. I grilled them and put them on top of the soup….wow!!! So so good! I printed this recipe and will definitely make this again.
This was stuck an easy recipe to make and it turned out SOOOO GOOD!!!
I love chicken booyah soup, been trying to make it in big stockpot kettle, and cannot duplicate the way that they make it in 55 gallon barrel with stainless steel tub from may tag ringer wash machine, I’m getting close, but not there yet
I love this recipe!
I want to make this again, but I don’t have a jalapeno today! Is the jalapeño a must?
You can leave the jalapeno out if you’d like and add a dash of hot sauce in place.
I have been making this Chicken Tortilla soup for a long time now..my grandson sent me your recipie..and its wonderful, always a hit….but this is the first time i watched your video. I just love the way you do the videos. Just straight forward and simple without a lot of side chatter. I will definitely watch some of your others.
Thank you for doing them like a regular person, not a know-it-all, lol. . Not intimidating or annoying….just the facts, ma’m. Thank you!
Lorraine
Thank you so much for the kind words, Lorraine! Glad we can help :)
Made this soup every week for the last month..it is so easy and so fabulous..can’t get enough plus it’s healthy..I heard of this recipe a long time but I chose your recipe to try it..
I follow your recipes all the time..you are definitely a foodie..keep them coming ️
I had made this twice in the last 3 weeks. It is so good. The only thing I do different is add can chicken breast instead of cooking the chicken. Saves a step on weeknights.
Great soup. I added another helping of chili and cumin seasoning…really easy and delicious. Thank you for creating this soup.