Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Chicken tortilla soup is one of those comfort foods I constantly crave during the winter months, even into spring. Tender chunks of chicken and spices simmer together, making the house smell heavenly. You can eat it plain for a healthy lunch or dinner, or go all out and add cheese, crispy chips, sour cream, or avocado to elevate it from ordinary soup to outstanding supper in no time! My family likes a lot of spice, so I love to add a little extra chili powder, cumin and garlic in this tortilla soup. For extra heat you could toss in chopped jalapeños, cilantro, a dash of Tabasco sauce or peppers. Feel free to experiment and see what your family enjoys.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients

Don’t let these ingredients intimidate you! Most of the ingredients are pantry staples and you already have most of them in your home. Combine these ingredients together and you will have your tastebuds going wild!

Chicken – Cook and shred your chicken ahead of time. To plan ahead you can make this shredded chicken recipe. Simply cook the chicken and use forks or chicken shredding tools to shred the chicken before adding it in the soup. Oil – You can use olive oil, extra virgin olive oil or any kind of vegetable oil. Place one oz in the skillet over medium heat to help keep the onion from sticking to the pan as well as add flavor and caramelize the onion’s outer layer. Onion – Slice and chop a yellow or white onion for delicious flavor in the soup. Seasonings – Garlic and cumin blend well together giving it an authentic Mexican taste! Chicken broth – Gives the chicken and soup moisture, liquid, and flavor. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe. Corn – Frozen or canned corn is perfect for dumping into the pot. Chili powder – Adds a little bit of spice! Lime juice – Squeeze fresh lime juice for a refreshing flavor! Salsa – Pick your favorite salsa with the best flavor or make your own homemade salsa to bring in spice and chunks of flavor.

Chicken Tortilla Soup in Four Easy Steps

Shred your chicken, cook the vegetables, and simmer the soup on low until it is mixed together perfectly. All combined will make this chicken tortilla soup recipe one of the best. It is full of flavor and so simple to make!

Toppings for the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

Top the soup off with all your Mexican favorite topping options and serve with extra flavor in every bite. It is easy to add extra toppings to take this soup to the next level. Your tastebuds will be thanking you!

Sour cream – Place a dollop of sour cream on top of the soup. Stir it in as it melts and blends into the soup it will cool the soup and add more flavor. Tortilla chips – Either make your own tortilla thin strips or purchase crispy tortilla strips to crunch into the soup or dip. Cheese – Shredded cheese melts in the hot soup and combines with other ingredients. Try Mexican blend, cheddar cheese, shredded cheddar, or Monterey jack cheese. Avocado – Slice or cut up a ripe avocado. Soft green avocados add texture and deliciousness. Avocado is chock full of vitamin c also. Fresh cilantro – Gives the easy chicken tortilla soup a beautiful garnish and a deeper flavor.

Additional Ingredients for Extra Bulk

Want to give this already hearty soup a little more bulk, nutrients and fiber? Add a diced bell pepper, a couple of diced cloves garlic, diced tomatoes or a can of Rotel, a jar of pinto beans or black beans to the recipe. If you love a little extra heat, add jalapeños, a can of green chiles, a teaspoon cumin or cayenne pepper to bring it up.

Suggestions for this Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This homemade chicken tortilla soup is always comforting and savory! These suggestions and modifications help add flavor, save time, and how to make it other ways in the kitchen. It is an easy soup recipe that we all love!

Tender chicken – Start your soup with chicken broth or chicken stock. Just this one step enriches the flavor of your soups immensely. If you don’t have any canned or boxed chicken broth on hand you can make your own by boiling your chicken in water with a little dried onion and some chicken bouillon. Substitute – When making this ahead of time you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for the protein. This is a more tender and juicy meat that tastes amazing with this easy chicken tortilla soup. Gluten-free version – The majority of this soup is gluten-free, as long as you check the labels on your chicken broth or chicken bouillon. Many brands contain wheat which will be shown on the label, so look for an alternative GF brand or make your own broth. Slow cooker – On super busy days, toss the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it do all the work making the best crock pot chicken tortilla soup. Instant Pot – You can also make this chicken taco soup in the instant pot!

READ MORE: 35+ Best Chicken Breast Recipes

Storing Leftover Soup

This recipe makes a big batch of soup! It is perfect for feeding a crowd or having leftovers. Either refrigerate or freeze this delicious chicken tortilla soup to enjoy over and over again!

Refrigerate – It will store safely in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator. Freeze – Make sure to freeze it in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, and it’ll stay fresh for up to three months. Reheat – When ready to reheat, thaw leftovers in the fridge. Then place the thawed or refrigerated leftovers in a microwaveable safe bowl or warm up on the stovetop until it is warmed through.

More Comforting Soup Recipes

There’s just something about a soup simmering on the stove to instantly create a homey, cozy feeling. Try a few of these savory recipes and indulge in delightful comfort!