Are you ready for a bowl of soup that is less of a meal and more of a vibrant, flavor-packed celebration? Imagine a savory, deeply seasoned tomato-chili broth, tender shreds of chicken, and a zesty squeeze of lime, all building up to that incredible, signature crunch of crispy tortilla strips.
It’s comforting, it’s spicy (but you control the heat!), and it’s guaranteed to be the fastest route to a satisfied smile. This recipe proves that the best Mexican-inspired dishes don’t need to take hours. Get ready to ditch the takeout menu.
If you love fast, fresh flavor, you’ll want to bookmark this culinary gem for future cozy evenings! This is the ultimate comfort food with a lively, South-of-the-Border kick—a soup so good, it’s worth planning your whole week around.
Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Description
Dive into the comforting warmth of this Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup, a dish that delivers authentic Southwestern flavor without the fuss. This recipe is your weeknight hero, transforming simple ingredients into a richly satisfying meal in under 30 minutes.
It starts with a fragrant base of sautéed onion and garlic, quickly simmered in savory chicken broth and diced tomatoes. The secret to its depth lies in a blend of accessible spices—think smoky chili powder, cumin, and a dash of oregano—which infuse the broth with a vibrant, complex heat. You'll add shredded, pre-cooked chicken to warm through, saving you valuable time.
The true magic happens with the toppings: crisp, golden-brown tortilla strips, cool avocado slices, a swirl of sour cream or Mexican crema, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It's a quick, colorful, and completely customizable dinner that brings a fiesta of texture and taste to your table every time.
Ingredients
For the tortilla strips:
Toppings (optional, but highly recommended):
Instructions
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Set your oven temperature to 375∘ F (190 ∘C). Lightly coat the thin strips of corn tortillas with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Arrange these strips on a baking tray. Bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until they achieve a perfect crisp. Set these crunchy strips aside.
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Add the chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and the can of tomatoes with green chilies. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a low, consistent bubble. Maintain this gentle simmer for 10–15 minutes, allowing the liquid ingredients to fully integrate.
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Stir in the rinsed black beans and the corn. Gently fold in the shredded chicken (it only needs to warm up). Allow the soup to simmer for an extra 5 minutes to ensure all components are thoroughly heated.
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Take the pot off the heat. Stir in the freshly squeezed lime juice. Taste the broth and adjust the flavor profile by adding more salt and pepper until the taste is perfectly balanced.
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Carefully transfer the piping hot soup into individual bowls. Make the meal interactive by encouraging guests to build their own custom toppings, including the crispy tortilla strips, a cooling dollop of sour cream or yogurt, slices of avocado, and a garnish of fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 320kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
- Dietary Fiber 7g29%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 26g52%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Chicken Tortilla Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a vibrant, comforting bowl that combines the richness of chicken with the bright, smoky flavors of Mexican cuisine.
It's surprisingly simple to make, yet always delivers a gourmet punch. This guide will give you essential tips for achieving maximum flavor, clever serving tricks, and easy variations to keep things interesting.
Pro Tips for Maximum Flavor
Achieving depth in a quick soup is all about building flavors in layers. Here's how to elevate your super-easy recipe:
- The Power of Roast: Instead of using plain cooked chicken, start with rotisserie chicken. The skin and drippings infuse the meat with a smoky, salty flavor that no simple poaching can replicate. If you're cooking chicken fresh, lightly season and roast it for about 20 minutes before shredding.
- Charred Vegetables for Depth: Before adding your diced onions and peppers (like jalapeño or poblano), consider a quick char. Toss them with a little oil and sauté until they have some deep brown, almost blackened spots. This caramelization adds a crucial layer of smoky complexity, eliminating any raw, vegetal taste.
- Bloom the Spices: Don't just dump your chili powder, cumin, and oregano into the broth. The heat releases their essential oils, or "blooms" them, intensifying their aroma and flavor dramatically.
- The Tomato Factor: Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead of plain ones. This small ingredient switch provides a ready-made layer of smoke and depth, making your soup taste like it simmered all day.
- A Final Citrus Kiss: Tortilla soup needs brightness to balance the richness of the chicken and the earthiness of the spices. The acidity cuts through the fat and wakes up every flavor in the bowl.
Serving Tricks: The Art of the Garnish
The real magic of Chicken Tortilla Soup lies in the toppings. A beautiful presentation and texture contrast are key. Instead of simply adding everything at once, lay out a "tortilla soup bar" and let everyone customize their bowl.
Texture & Crunch
The "tortilla" component is vital! For the best result, skip store-bought strips. Slice corn tortillas thinly, toss them with a little oil and salt, and either bake them at 350∘F (175∘C) until golden and crispy, or flash-fry them.
Cool and Creamy
These garnishes balance the heat and acidity:
- Avocado: Diced or sliced, it adds a rich, buttery texture and healthy fat.
- Crema/Sour Cream: A dollop of Mexican crema or sour cream adds a lovely cooling tang. Swirl it directly into the hot soup for a creamy finish.
- Cheese: Shredded Monterey Jack or Cotija cheese are excellent choices. Cotija is a dry, salty cheese that holds its shape and adds a pronounced flavor.
Bright and Fresh
These additions provide color and punch:
- Cilantro and Scallions: A generous sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro and green onions is non-negotiable for that authentic, fresh taste.
- Pickled Onions or Jalapeños: For a tangy, vinegary kick, a small spoonful of pickled red onions can be a game-changer.
- Radishes: Thinly sliced radishes provide an unexpected, crisp texture and a peppery bite.
Exciting Variations
Once you have the basic recipe down, it's easy to pivot the core ingredients for entirely new soup experiences.
1. Creamy Tortilla Soup
For a richer, heartier dish, transform the broth into a creamy delight. After the soup has simmered and before adding the final garnishes, stir in 21 cup of heavy cream or evaporated milk. This gives the soup a velvety texture and mellows the spices slightly, making it exceptionally comforting.
2. Black Bean and Corn Tortilla Soup (Vegetarian Option)
This variation proves you don't need chicken. Replace the chicken with one can each of rinsed black beans and sweet corn (frozen or canned). Add a diced sweet potato along with the carrots and simmer until tender. Use vegetable broth and a generous amount of smoky spices like smoked paprika for a deep flavor.
3. Spicy Chipotle Tortilla Soup
If you crave heat, intensify the spices with chipotle. Add 1-2 teaspoons of chipotle powder to the spice blend, or for maximum smoky heat, blend 1-2 chipotles in adobo sauce into a small amount of the broth before stirring it back into the pot. The chipotle adds a dark, smoky heat that pairs beautifully with the tomato.
Conclusion
The Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is the ultimate weeknight hero: fast, customizable, and deeply satisfying. By focusing on simple techniques like blooming your spices and using fire-roasted ingredients, you can build an impressive depth of flavor in minutes. The recipe's greatest strength, however, is its versatility in serving. Turning the garnishes into an interactive soup bar allows everyone at the table to craft their perfect bowl, ensuring every spoonful is an adventure in texture, heat, and freshness. Embrace the bright, bold flavors, pile on the crunchy tortilla strips, and enjoy this effortlessly sophisticated comfort food.
