I call this my weeknight hug in a bowl. The broth warms fast, the chicken tastes tender, and the corn and beans keep every spoonful fun. This chicken tortilla soup brings me back to the tiny apartment where I first cooked for friends and hoped the smoke alarm would behave. I keep the steps simple so dinner stays calm, not chaotic. The flavor lands bold from cumin and chili, then lime lifts it bright. If you need an easy chicken tortilla soup recipe that reads like a friendly soup recipe, this one fits. It started as my easy chicken plan, then grew into our go to soup. The crunchy strips on top make kids cheer and adults steal seconds. You can cook it with pantry cans and one pot. You can simmer while you chop toppings and hum through a long day. Fans of easy chicken soup recipes and tortilla recipes will feel right at home with this chicken tortilla soup.
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 4 How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 5 Tips for Making Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 6 Making Chicken Tortilla Soup Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 8 Try these Soup next
- 9 Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 10 Nutrition
1 Key Takeaways
I promise an easy path from pantry to table. The pot sits steady. The broth simmers clean. We get bold flavor with calm steps. I wrote this with a busy night in mind and a budget that likes to stay put. I am Camila from Camila Cooks and I test each step on my small stove at home with a wooden spoon and a little patience.
The base builds fast with onion garlic cumin and chili. Lime brings a bright finish. The crunch from tortilla strips gives joy. Beans and corn add body and color. Rotisserie chicken keeps the work short and the bites tender. The method stays simple so the cook can breathe and the soup can shine.
We keep one pot. We keep a light mess. We keep flavor first. This plan fits weeknights and weekends. It packs well for lunch. It freezes well for later. If you crave comfort with a little spark this bowl gives it with a smile. Find more ideas on Camila Cooks at https://www.camilacooks.com where we cook with care and we keep things friendly.
2 Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
I crave chicken tortilla soup when the day runs long. I say chicken tortilla soup twice here with purpose since this is the dish that taught me how simple can taste big. Steam rises and smells like lime and warm spice. The broth looks bright and a little red. My spoon taps the pot and the dog hopes for a drop.
I learned to keep the heat steady and the stir gentle. The onion softens. The garlic blooms. The spices wake up and the room feels cozy in minutes. A can of tomatoes goes in and the broth follows. This turns into a classic chicken tortilla soup that sits light yet feels full. Corn and beans bring small pops in every bite. Cilantro shows up late and keeps things fresh.
What about stress. We skip it. This is an easy chicken tortilla soup recipe that respects a real weeknight. The steps read clean and the pantry carries the load. The pot holds steady from start to finish. If you want a creamy chicken tortilla soup feel, swirl in a small splash of cream at the end. I like it simple though. The crunch from tortilla strips on top gives me the best part. That first crack then a soft spoonful. Pure soup joy.
3 Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Soup
Olive oil I use a little to soften the onion and garlic. It lays a warm base and helps the spices cling. A neutral oil works too if that is what sits in your cabinet.
Yellow onion A medium onion gives sweetness and body. Dice it small so it melts into the broth and does not shout in the spoon.
Garlic Fresh minced garlic smells like home in a pot. It lifts the base and gives that cozy note we all expect from good soup.
Jalapeno Seed it for gentle heat or skip it if you need a mild bowl. I mince it fine so the spice spreads even and does not land in one bold bite.
Cumin and chili powder These two lead the flavor. They bring warmth and color. I toast them one short minute in the oil so they wake up fast.
Dried oregano A pinch adds a herbal line that ties the broth to the tomatoes. It sits quiet but helpful.
Salt and black pepper I start light then taste. The broth shifts as it simmers so I adjust at the end.
Fire roasted tomatoes The can brings smoke notes and a deep red color. It makes the soup look like it tried harder than it did.
Chicken broth Low sodium gives control. The broth carries the spices and lets the lime sing at the finish.
Tomato paste One spoon adds body and a steady tomato base. It thickens the broth a touch which I like for spoon feel.
Corn Frozen or canned both work. Kernels add pop and a little sweetness. They look sunny in the bowl.
Black beans Rinsed beans add protein and make the soup feel complete. They hold shape and give contrast to the corn and tomatoes.
Shredded cooked chicken Rotisserie saves time and brings tender bites. Leftover grilled chicken works and adds a nice smokey edge.
Lime juice Fresh juice wakes the whole pot. I stir it in off the heat so the spark stays bright.
Cilantro Chopped leaves give a green finish. They cool the spice and make the bowl look fresh.
Tortilla strips Crunch completes the dish. Chips can stand in if that is what you have on hand.
Toppings Avocado queso fresco and a spoon of sour cream turn a simple pot into a small party. Pick one or use them all.
4 How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
Step 1 Set a large pot over medium heat. Pour in oil. Add onion. Stir until soft and glossy. This takes about five minutes. Keep the heat calm so nothing scorches.
Step 2 Add garlic and jalapeno. Stir one minute. You should smell the garlic bloom. Keep the sizzle gentle. We want flavor not color here.
Step 3 Sprinkle in cumin chili powder and oregano with a light pinch of salt and pepper. Stir thirty seconds so the spices toast and wake up.
Step 4 Pour in tomatoes broth and a small spoon of tomato paste. Bring the pot to a gentle boil then drop the heat to a soft simmer.
Step 5 Tip in corn and black beans. Let the soup simmer ten to fifteen minutes so the flavors meet and settle. Stir now and then.
Step 6 Add shredded chicken. Cook until hot. This needs about five minutes. Taste and add salt if the broth asks for it.
Step 7 Turn off the heat. Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Ladle into bowls. Top with tortilla strips avocado queso fresco and a spoon of sour cream. Enjoy the first crunchy creamy warm bite.
5 Tips for Making Chicken Tortilla Soup
Use a steady medium flame. The onions soften and do not brown. The spices toast not burn. The broth stays clear. A calm pot makes a clean soup.
Taste the salt at the end. The broth reduces a bit and the beans carry some salt too. A squeeze of lime may balance what seems heavy. Small changes make big peace in a bowl.
For a spicy chicken tortilla soup add a touch of cayenne or keep the jalapeno seeds. For a richer feel blend one cup of soup then pour it back. For a lighter sip add a little extra broth. This recipe bends with you and your day.
6 Making Chicken Tortilla Soup Ahead of Time
I make the base a day early when friends come by. The flavor sits and deepens in the fridge. I reheat it slow and gentle then add lime and cilantro right before serving to keep the finish bright.
Keep the tortilla strips in a bag on the counter so they stay crisp. Prep toppings in small containers. Avocado waits best for the last minute to keep its color. The rest holds fine without fuss.
If you love easy chicken soup recipes for busy weeks this plan works well. The pot rewarms in minutes and feeds a group without stress. I post more make ahead ideas on Camila Cooks where we keep cooking real and kind.
7 Storing Leftover Chicken Tortilla Soup
Let the soup cool to warm room temp. Spoon it into airtight containers. Chill within two hours. It keeps in the fridge for four days and in the freezer for three months.
Reheat on the stove over medium heat until hot and steamy. Add a splash of broth if it looks thick. Finish with lime and fresh cilantro to bring the spark back.
Keep the crunch for the end. Store tortilla strips apart and add them just before you eat. If you need a quick lunch pack the soup and the chips in separate containers and meet them at the bowl.
8 Try these Soup next
9 Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup Camila Style Cozy And Easy
Ingredients
- olive oil 2 tablespoons
- yellow onion 1 medium diced
- garlic 3 cloves minced
- jalapeno 1 seeded and minced optional
- ground cumin 2 teaspoons
- chili powder 2 teaspoons
- dried oregano 1 teaspoon
- salt 1 and a half teaspoons plus more to taste
- black pepper half teaspoon
- fire roasted diced tomatoes 1 can 14 and a half ounces
- low sodium chicken broth 6 cups
- tomato paste 1 tablespoon
- frozen corn 1 cup or canned drained
- black beans 1 can rinsed and drained
- shredded cooked chicken 3 cups rotisserie works great
- fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons
- fresh cilantro chopped quarter cup
- tortilla strips or crushed chips for serving
- diced avocado queso fresco sour cream and extra lime for serving
Instructions
- Warm oil in a large pot over medium heat then add onion and cook until soft about 5 minutes
- Stir in garlic and jalapeno and cook 1 minute until fragrant
- Sprinkle in cumin chili powder oregano salt and pepper and stir 30 seconds
- Pour in tomatoes broth and tomato paste then bring to a gentle boil
- Add corn and black beans then lower heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes
- Stir in shredded chicken and cook until hot about 5 minutes
- Turn off heat and stir in lime juice and cilantro taste and add salt if needed
- Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips avocado queso fresco sour cream and a squeeze of lime
10 Nutrition
This bowl gives steady protein from chicken plus fiber from black beans and corn. The broth sits light yet fills you up. A typical serving lands near three hundred twenty calories with a good balance across carbs protein and fat. Salt shifts with your broth so taste and adjust. For a lower sodium bowl pick low sodium beans and broth and lean on lime for flavor lift. If dairy sits hard for you skip the sour cream and use avocado for creamy feel. For an extra fresh touch add more cilantro at the table. This is one pot chicken tortilla soup that feeds well and leaves you with energy for the evening.
Find more friendly recipes from Camila on Camila Cooks at https://www.camilacooks.com where good soup meets easy steps and a cozy table.
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