Chicken Tortilla Soup
Not that I am counting but I think I have eaten soup at least 17 times in the last two weeks. What can I say? It’s just that time of year. And this big pot of chicken tortilla soup has fed me nearly half of those. This soup goes a long way!
KC has experienced a bit of a cold front over the last few days so when I found myself shivering a bit this weekend, I found myself craving comfort food. And that comfort food craving turned into soup craving that turned in to a tortilla soup craving. And a big plus that was on my side: I had every single last ingredient in the fridge or pantry so no grocery run needed. And when it’s the first cool weekend of fall, that is a big score!
Not only is this tortilla soup incredibly simple, if you are short on time, it can be done in as little as 45 minutes. Score again! I love the mix of canned and fresh vegetables, lots of fresh cilantro and lime juice and, of course, the (homemade!) crispy tortilla strips. It wouldn’t be tortilla soup without ’em!
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Classic chicken tortilla soup loaded with veggies, roasted chicken and favorite Mexican flavors.
Ingredients:
for the soup:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 large red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 lime, juiced and zested
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-ounce) can green chiles
1 (14.5) ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh corn
1Tbs. tomato paste
32 ounces low-sodium chicken stock
Salt & pepper to taste
for the garnish:
Sliced lime
Diced avocado
Sour cream
Tortilla strips (see note below)
Salsa
Diced onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Shredded cheeseDirections:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, kosher salt, oregano and paprika. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with a light coating of olive oil. Sprinkle a small amount of the spice mixture onto both sides of each chicken breast and transfer to a non-stick baking sheet. Roast the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through. Allow the chicken to cool for about 10 minutes, and then shred.
While the chicken cooks, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion and garlic, along with a pinch of salt, and saute for 3-4 minutes until the onions are very fragrant and they begin to soften. Add the bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, lime zest and cilantro and stir well. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers begin to soften. Add the remaining spice mixture, black beans, green chiles, diced tomatoes and the corn and stir well. Cook for about 6 minutes until all of the vegetables are tender. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
Slowly stir in the chicken stock and add the cooked & shredded chicken and bring the soup to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Cassie's Notes:
If you prefer beef: cook one pound of ground beef in a skillet. Add about half of the spice mixture and 2 tablespoons water. Cook for about 10 minutes until the liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally. Add into the soup when instructed to add the chicken.To make homemade tortilla strips: preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut 4-5 round corn tortillas into strips. Toss the strips with two tablespoons of olive oil and one teaspoon salt. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy.
Inspired by The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tortilla Soup
Print Recipe
There is just nothing like a big bowl of soup this time of year! Chicken tortilla soup is one of our favorites, too!
Looks delish!! I haven’t made Chicken Tortilla Soup in awhile… I’ll have to make it again soon!
This looks perfectly comforting for a cool, fall day!
Chicken tortilla soup is one of my all-time favorite soups! I love your version 🙂
This looks so perfect! Great time of year for it.
I was just thinking how I wan to make chicken tortilla soup for dinner! I’m going to have to try your recipe out.
Yum, yum, yum! This sounds so good right now! Love the pictures!
Im with you, I have had more soup in the last few weeks then I think in years before. But Im ok with it. This soup looks perfect and I would totally add more soup to the menu if this were in front of me!
This soup would be so perfect today! We all are coming down with colds and it’s wet and chilly outside. I think I need to make a trip to the store today 🙂
Cassie… this is gorgeous! All I want is soup lately, so this post just doubled my craving!
I am I am I am SOOOOOO making this next week! Finally, it’s chillier here in Sacramento and I’ve been dying for a comforting bowl of soup. This looks perfect!
I can’t wait until you feed me this here in about 15 minutes.
Can I please be neighbors with you and Ali… seriously jealous of you 2! 😉 This is one of my ALL.TIME.FAVORITE.SOUPS 🙂
Look at all that goodness in there! Love me some tortilla soup! It’s been in the low 50’s here in Indiana and all I want is soup…your recipe is about to go to print!
you have a great blog and love your philosophy on life- eat good food and live good life which is what I want to do as well..and the tortilla soup looks great- its time to load up on soups!
Chicken tortilla soup os one of my absolute favorites – I could eat it every day! And your version looks just wonderful.
Chicken tortilla soup is my favorite especially when it’s chilly outside!
Dear Cassie, Please stop being amazing.
Sincerely, me.
Actually, do keep being amazing. I’m making this tomorrow. Pinned it!
Sorry you have been feeling under the weather. I love chicken tortilla soup it is such a classic!
I adore Chicken Tortilla soup! I am so happy soup season is finally here! ♥
I love soup season! Your version of this looks delicious.
I’ve been eating soup every day even though it’s still in the 80’s here! Totally pinning this right now.
I’m pretty sure all I ever eat is soup. Yum!!
Mmm, looks delish! We had tortellini soup last night. Soup is the one and only reason I enjoy cold weather. I too love homemade tortilla strips in our tortilla soup, but sadly… and I hate to admit this, I always buy premade packs of tortilla soup! Your recipe looks so easy, I’ll have to start making this instead of cheating! Haha!
Oh heck yes! It just started to cool off in NYC and this will be PERFECT for a weeknight dinner. Love it!
I love everything about this! I can’t wait to make this, curl up on the couch with a blanket, and catch up on dexter! Sounds like the perfect day.
This looks so hearty and delicious! I was thinking of making soup for dinner tonight – this might make the cut!
Too funny! We are having chicken tortilla soup for dinner tonight. Perhaps I will try to incorporate some of this recipe! Chicken tortilla soup is just one of my favorites!
I’d like a gallon of this : )
Soup is definitely my comfort food too! Well, that and chili! Anything warm in a bowl that I can wrap my cold little hands around!
It is so rainy and yukky out up here, all I want is soup these days. This looks amazing!
This soup looks so good. We’ve been living off soup for the past few days, too, and I love it. Pinned.
Chicken tortilla is my hubby’s favorite soup! I’ll have to make it for him! It looks awesome.
Chicken tortilla soup is the best! Love it!
I could go for a big bowl of this now! It’s so cold and dreary here and this looks like the perfect soup to warm me up!
Such a warm and hearty soup, perfect for a fall day. The soup looks so great in that pretty red bowl.
I made it over! Are you proud of me? heh. Tortilla soup is one of my most favorite things ever. I’d eat it 17 times in two weeks, too. (That and pizza. But the side effects wouldn’t be as harsh with the soup. :))
this would be AMAZING to have during this cold front we’re having too!! i would curl up on the couch and watch tv while slurping this. i love love chicken tortilla soups!!
Isn’t it just one of the best? I love chicken tortilla soup so much.
I LOVE chicken tortilla soup, and I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks so tasty and satisfying…perfect time of year for it!
I only tried chicken tortilla soup for the first time in the last few years, but it’s quickly become a favorite! Yours looks awesome, total comfort food.
I simply cannot pass your delicious tortilla soup and I just put the missing ingredients in my shopping list! YUM. I can’t wait to have this for dinner. Thanks for helping me decide dinner menu, and I can’t wait already!
Yummyliscious Sister!
I’m with you on soup this time of year, and this looks so good! I love a good pot of soup that lasts for days 🙂
Love it! I made some Toritlla soup recently too! Seriously I adore your version. Avocado chunks are perfection!
I’m on a major soup kick too and spicy tortilla is definitely one of my favorites! I’m all over it!
Is it bad that I want to eat this for breakfast?! It looks so delish, and I have been craving this exact soup for days now! It’s a sign!
Chicken Tortilla is my absolute favorite! Yours looks perfect!
Tortilla soup is one of my favorites and your version looks amazing Cassie! You included so many wonderful ingredients to add lots of flavor!
Oh my gosh does this soup look fabulous! Love the colors…so pretty for fall and of course the ingredients are wonderful. I just want to pick those pieces of avocado right out and pop them in my mouth! I think I will need a big bowl of this the next time I have a cold! LOVE the home made tortilla strips and your photos are just amazing! : )
This soup looks so rich, yum!
I made this recipe tonight, it was awesome! A keeper for sure!
Hey Cassie! Just wanted to let you know that I featured your delicious recipe on my blog this weekend! Thanks so much for the recipe, I hope to make it as soon as I get a hold of some avocados!
here’s the link: http://untetheredasacloud.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/samedi-sommaire-1-3/
Thanks again!
Smiles and all the best,
Savannah
untetheredasacloud.wordpress.com
I followed your recipe and made this 2 nights ago…it was AMAZING!!! I love chicken tortilla soup and this was my first time making it myself. I’m thankful that I made a big pot because I shared some with my sis & brother-in-law, as well as my BF, and all LOVED it! I’m definitely safe-keeping the recipe for the future =) Thanks!
Made this tonight but adapted it for the slow cooker. I loved it and so did the hubby! Thanks for the recipe!
What do you do with the lime zest? It just says to add lime juice but ingredients list says juice and zest of lime.
I made this a couple days ago and it was WOW! My husband said it was the BEST soup he’s ever tasted…totally right! There are some things I didn’t have or couldn’t find…I didn’t have fresh cilantro so I used cilantro paste, I also didn’t have a lemon but did have lemon juice, and I used frozen corn. Still turned out amazing! Thanks so much for this recipe. I’ll never buy my usual packet of tortilla soup mix EVER again!
What adaptations are needed to make in a slow cooker? I really want to make this but don’t want to buy a Dutch oven. Help!
This is soup is delicious.