Chicken Tortilla Soup – This soul warming and hearty bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup hits the perfect balance of blending smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors in a way that leaves you craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Incredibly Flavorful: Packed with aromatic spices, zesty lime, tender chicken, and crispy tortilla strips, every spoonful is a burst of flavor.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Loaded with protein from the chicken and fiber from the veggies, it’s a guilt-free meal that nourishes your body.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup stores well, making it an excellent choice for weekday lunches or quick dinners.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level, swap out ingredients, or make it vegetarian—the options are endless!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Roast the Vegetables: For a deeper, more robust flavor, roast your vegetables before adding them to the soup.
- Use Smoked Chicken: If you have leftover smoked chicken, it adds an extra layer of smokiness.
- Thickening the Soup: For a thicker soup, add a slurry of cornstarch and water, or puree some of the soup in a blender and mix it back in.
Variations to Try
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. Add more beans, zucchini, or even sweet potatoes for a hearty alternative.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or extra jalapeños for a spicier version.
- Creamy Tortilla Soup: Stir in some heavy cream or blend in a portion of the soup to create a creamy texture.
- Slow Cooker Method: Add all ingredients (except the toppings) to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken and add it back into the soup before serving.
How to Serve Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serving Chicken Tortilla Soup is all about the toppings! Here are some crowd-favorite garnishes:
- Crispy Tortilla Strips: The essential crunch factor.
- Avocado Slices: Creamy and cooling against the spices.
- Shredded Cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack melt beautifully.
- Fresh Cilantro: For a pop of freshness.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime enhances all the flavors.
- Sour Cream: To cut through the heat and add richness.
How to Store and Reheat
- Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Chicken Tortilla Soup freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze without the tortilla strips.
- Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Add fresh toppings before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. Simply shred the cooked chicken and add it to the soup during the final 10 minutes of simmering.
How Do I Make It Less Spicy?
If you prefer a milder soup, reduce the amount of chili powder and jalapeños. You can also omit the jalapeño seeds, which carry most of the heat.
Can I Make It in Advance?
Yes! This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just be sure to store the tortilla strips separately to keep them crispy.
What Can I Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Serve it alongside a simple green salad, quesadillas, or some warm cornbread to make it a complete meal.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup - This soul warming and hearty bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup hits the perfect balance of blending smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors in a way that leaves you craving more.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
For the Soup Base:
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes & green chilies)
- 32 oz low-sodium chicken stock
- ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15-oz) cans black beans, drained
- 3 tablespoons cornmeal or masa
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups hot water
Toppings and Garnishes:
- 5 corn tortillas, cut into strips (about 2-3 inches)
- Grated Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro
- Sour cream, diced red onion, avocado, pico de gallo or salsa
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Mix the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle some olive oil on the chicken breasts and sprinkle a bit of the spice mix on both sides.
- Save the rest of the spices for later. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, then shred it with two forks and set aside.
- Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced onion, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic.
- Cook until fragrant, then stir in the remaining spice mix. Add the shredded chicken and give it all a good stir.
- Pour in the can of Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, hot water, and drained black beans. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
- Mix the cornmeal with a bit of water to create a slurry, then pour it into the soup. Let it simmer for another 30 minutes, thickening nicely.
- Check the seasonings—add more salt or chili powder if needed. Turn off the heat and let the soup sit for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- About 5 minutes before serving, gently stir in the tortilla strips. This step gives the soup that classic, irresistible texture!
- Ladle the soup into bowls and pile on the toppings: sour cream, diced red onion, avocado, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
- Trust me, the garnishes make this soup unforgettable!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 525mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 18g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re whipping up a big batch for a weeknight dinner or hosting a casual get-together, Chicken Tortilla Soup is a versatile and satisfying dish that’s sure to impress. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. Don’t forget to share your favorite variations and topping combinations in the comments below!
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