Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon September 28, 2022 32 comments »

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A spicy bowl of this savoryEasy Chicken Tortilla Soup is the perfect ending to a long day. Make a large batch to serve with cornbread and a large salad for watching the big game or just a fun gathering with friends.

As soon as the weather begins to change we begin craving cozy comfort foods like this Chicken Tortilla Soup. Just a hint of coolness in the air or the subtle change in the leaves and I am ready to make a big batch of soup or chili. There’s nothing like a big pot of soup to fill your home with an appetite inducing aroma. And also fill your belly with savory goodness!

What I like about this Chicken Tortilla Soup is that it is hearty and satisfying without being overly heavy and filled with lots of extra calories. This Chicken Tortilla Soup is actually a pretty light and nutritious soup. It’s a superb example of an easy meal that can be light without missing out on flavor, because this is one flavor packed soup!

If we’re entertaining and serving soup like this tasty one, we like to set up a toppings bar with shredded cheese, sour cream or greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, and corn chips for a tasty meal perfect for feeding a crowd. Since this Chicken Tortilla Soup is great for making ahead of time, this recipe makes for a nice option for entertaining to be able to get some prep done early. It’s also a great option for packing up to take along for potluck events or tailgating.

Ingredients for Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

  • cooking oil
  • dried oregano
  • ground cumin
  • ground coriander
  • chili powder
  • ground red pepper
  • chopped onion
  • garlic cloves
  • chicken stock
  • crushed tomatoes
  • corn tortillas
  • roasted or rotisserie chicken
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • salt
  • pepper
  • optional garnishes and toppings: lime wedges, avocado, sour cream, greek yogurt, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, fresh cilantro

How to Make Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

  1. Heat cooking oil over medium heat an a large heavy pot.
  2. Once oil is heated, add oregano, cumin, coriander, chili powder, red pepper. Stir to toast until fragrant for about 30 seconds.
  3. Next add in the chopped onion. Cook onion, stirring for about 3 minutes. Then grate garlic cloves directly into pot. Continue to cook onion and garlic, stirring, for another 2 minutes.
  4. Add in chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
    Cut two corn tortillas in half, then cut them into thin strips. Stir tortilla strips into the stock. Continue to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes.
  5. Stir in the roasted chicken and chopped fresh cilantro, then reduce heat to medium-low.
  6. Finish by cutting more corn tortillas in half, then cut them into thin strips (just like before). Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toss tortilla strips in a warm skillet to toast for about 3-5 minutes. Watch to avoid burning. When ready to serve, stir toasted strips into soup.
  7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm with optional garnishes or toppings.

This Chicken Tortilla Soup is best made with roasted chicken. But, if short on time, grab a rotisserie chicken from the local grocer on the way home to shorten the prep time. You may also roast the chicken the night before, debone it, then cover and refrigerate until ready to prepare the soup. You’ll find this delicious soup is fairly easy to put together. Of course it can be made and left to stew stovetop until everyone is ready to chow down. Grab a spoon and enjoy!

More flavorful soup recipes you will enjoy:

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (4)

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This easy savory and spicy hearty soup is made with chicken and corn tortillas and perfect any time of the year.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder (any chili powder may be substituted)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 large garlic cloves
  • 48 ounces canned chicken stock
  • 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas, divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds roasted or rotisserie chicken, cut into chunks or shredded
  • 1/4 cup lightly-packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish/toppings: Serve with lime wedges, sliced/diced avocado, sour cream, greek yogurt, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, additional chopped fresh cilantro.

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
  2. Add herbs and spices (oregano, cumin, coriander, chili powder, red pepper) stir to toast, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add onion, cook, stirring for about 3 minutes. Grate garlic directly into pot, continue to cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.
  4. Add stock, crushed tomatoes, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Halve 2 of the corn tortillas, then cut into strips, add to stock. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for at least 25 minutes.
  6. Stir in the chicken and cilantro; reduce heat to medium-low.
  7. Halve remaining corn tortillas, then cut into strips. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toss tortilla strips in warm pan to toast, about 3-5 minutes. Be watchful to avoid burning. Just before serving, stir toasted strips into soup.
  8. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with optional garnish or toppings.

Originally published October 12, 2014.

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published on September 28, 2022

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Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (8)

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32 comments on “Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe”

  1. amanda @ fake gingerReply

    Chicken tortilla soup is probably my favorite soup ever. I can’t wait to try your recipe!

  2. Jessica @ A Kitchen AddictionReply

    My kind of comfort food! Perfect fall meal!

    • Mary Whitworth

      Do I use crunchy (dry) tortillas or soft corn tortillas?

    • Amy Johnson

      Soft corn tortillas.

    • Mary Whitworth

      Thank you. Just by luck I bought a bag of small 6” corn tortillas so I guess I can us about 1/2 a bag? Cut them up per instructions?

    • Amy Johnson

      I would use 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas.

  3. AggieReply

    One of my favorite soups ever Amy!! Looks delicious.

  4. AmandaReply

    LOVE!

  5. Susie MandelReply

    Yumm! Can’t wait to try this!

  6. SelReply

    interesting soup….typicaly i make mine with roasted tomatillos and green chili, then using fresh tomatoes with herbs and onions, garlic. I use well trimmed chick thighs, and the white meat as well. Always fresh and served with my own tortilla strips of which a toast in olive oil. Love soup…

    By the way, do you have a recipe for creamy white minnestrone soup?

    • Susie Mandel

      Amy, when should I add the cilantro? I put it in prior to the chicken, but where I see it in the list of ingredients, maybe I should have put it in with the chicken? Thanks!

    • Susie Mandel

      This was SO tasty and filling! All three of us absolutely loved it. 🙂

  7. AmberReply

    This is hands down the best chicken soup I’ve had! I’ve made this on many occasions over the past year, my husband and kids love it. I’ve saved it to my Pinterest recipe board.

    • Amy Johnson

      So happy to hear that, Amber!

  8. Jane LinchReply

    Wow, very interesting, also with lime!

  9. A@4UReply

    Simple. Delicious. On a chilly January evening in the South, this soup was the perfect late dinner treat. I had most of the ingredients in the refrigerator/freezer and pantry. I “poached” frozen chicken cutlets in the stock before adding the tomatoes. I think I probably upped the ancho chili powder a smidge because I don’t measure. Plus I added the last of a portion of frozen corn and a can of rinsed & drained black beans. I didn’t have fresh cilantro but used a squeeze of cilantro paste that’s available in the produce section of most groceries. Served with freshly shredded Wisconsin Extra Sharp Cheddar, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions. Simple. Delicious.

Leave a comment »

Easy 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.

How to give chicken soup more Flavour? ›

Enhance the taste of your soup by adding fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro. These aromatic herbs bring a burst of freshness and add a vibrant flavor profile to your chicken noodle soup. Chop them finely and sprinkle them over the top or stir them in towards the end of cooking.

How to make chicken soft in soup? ›

Cold-poaching the chicken breasts, then removing them until the end of the cooking process, guarantees a perfectly tender and juicy texture. Using stock reinforces the flavor of the broth, creating a more deeply flavorful soup.

Can you cook raw chicken in soup? ›

Once the soup and vegetables are simmering, we chop up the raw chicken breast and thigh meat we had removed from the bone in the first step and return it to the soup. Next we add in the dry noodles, and the soup is done when the noodles and chicken pieces are cooked!

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.

How do you fix tasteless chicken soup? ›

Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

What thickens chicken soup? ›

Soup Thickening Method: Cornstarch Slurry

I made a classic slurry by whisking cornstarch and hot broth until smooth in a small bowl. I drizzled it into the soup gradually, and brought it to a boil to fully activate, thicken, and cook out the starch flavor before adding more.

Why do you put lemon juice in chicken soup? ›

Lemons are a chicken soup game changer. Why? They brighten up and balance the salty, rich flavors of the dish, and make all of the ingredients come into line. Like a vinaigrette on a salad, the pickle on a burger, and the sour cream in a coffee cake, a squeeze of lemon gives chicken soup a game-changing brightness.

How do restaurants get their chicken so soft? ›

Typically there are a couple of different ways restaurants use to velvet their chicken most Chinese restaurants use baking soda and cornstarch for the best results. However, a couple of other methods include using: Chemical tenderisers. Egg whites.

How do you make chicken soup more depth? ›

Herbs and Spices:Fresh or dried herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, and dill can add depth to the flavor. Bay leaves are commonly used in chicken soup for a subtle earthy taste. Ground black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a hint of heat.

How do you fix weak chicken soup? ›

Add aromatics: Adding fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, or aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, can help enhance the flavor of the stock. Simmer longer: If the stock is lacking in flavor, simmering it for longer can help develop the flavors and concentrate the stock.

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? ›

Traditional / "Sopa Azteca"

Traditional tortilla soup is made of fried corn tortilla pieces, submerged into a broth of tomato, garlic, onion, and epazote. It is served with pieces of pasilla chiles, chicharrón, avocado, queso panela, lime, and Mexican 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.

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