Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

This Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe features tender pieces of chicken and veggies swimming in a perfectly spiced tomato broth with homemade tortilla strips on top. It’s easy, healthy, and a secret ingredient makes it a little bit creamy!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

• Packed with Delicious Flavors. An authentic Mexican chicken tortilla soup recipe (or sopa de tortilla con poyo) has always been one of my favorite Mexican dishes (along with Beef Fajitas). As with my hearty and flavorful Green Chili Recipe, this chicken tortilla soup recipe takes inspiration from the original and utilizes a list of simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
• Texture and Complexity. Adding cornmeal thickens the soup, gives it a subtle creamy sensation, and gives it an extra note of tortilla flavor.
• It’s Good for You. As a lover of toppings, I appreciate the value and necessity of a rich, nutritious soup beneath them. This healthy chicken tortilla soup is packed with lean protein and vegetables (just like my Healthy Turkey Chili). It will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished. And fear not, it still leaves you plenty of room for the good stuff: toppings galore!
• Comes Together Quickly and Easily. This creamy chicken tortilla soup is primarily adapted from my Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, but this version is much faster. The chicken is baked before it’s added to the soup (a trick I borrowed from the Pioneer Woman’s chicken tortilla soup recipe). Some recipes (like Chile Verde Pork) rely on a slow cooking method to build big flavor, but this recipe uses chicken, chipotle chiles in adobo, tomatoes, spices, and veggies to produce rich flavor in a fraction of the time.

How to Make the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

The Ingredients

• Chicken Breast. Scrumptious, tender chicken breast cubes are a healthy, protein-packed addition.
• Bell Peppers. Diced bell peppers add nutrition and a touch of sweetness to the soup. Bell peppers are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
• Jalapeño. Since we’re removing the membrane and seeds, the jalapeño adds a touch of heat without overpowering the soup with spice.
• Chipotle Chiles in Adobo. A little smoky, tangy, and spicy flavor all wrapped up into one easy package.
• Crushed Tomatoes. This chicken tortilla soup has a tomato-based broth (like my Easy Taco Soup). Crushed tomatoes give the soup liquid and add flavor.
• Spices. Chicken tortilla soup contains many important ingredients, but the spices are one of the most important. Cumin and chili powder add warmth, earthiness, and a pinch of spice. For a similar flavor profile, you’ll love Chicken Enchilada Soup.
• Pinto Beans. For an extra punch of filling protein, fiber, and vitamins. Plus, they add a delicious creamy element to the soup.
• Cornmeal. Helps thicken the soup and complements the tortillas on top.

The Directions

1. Add Spices to the Chicken. Lay the chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

2. Bake the Chicken. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into cubes.

3. Sauté the Veggies. Add the seasonings, tomatoes, chiles, and salt.

4. Add the Chicken, Broth, and Beans. Bring to a boil, then add the cornmeal. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Serve. Add desired toppings and DIG IN!

Topping Ideas for a Tortilla Soup Recipe

Make this healthy chicken tortilla soup your own by adding all your favorite toppings! Pick a little, or a lot!

• Cheese. Use a fully flavored, melty cheese like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey jack for a cheesy chicken tortilla soup. A more flavorful cheese won’t require you to use as much, giving you more taste bang for your cheesy buck.
• Greek Yogurt. Nonfat plain Greek yogurt is my healthy stand-in for sour cream. Both are thick and tangy and cool the soup’s spices. Dollop it on top or stir it in for a creamy chicken tortilla soup.
• Avocado. Nutrient-dense and creamy, avocado is good for you and will make the soup taste more indulgent than it is.
• TORTILLAS. Because it isn’t chicken tortilla soup without them. Bake your own tortilla strips or you can purchase them from the store.

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate soup in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
• To Freeze. Freeze soup in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve With This Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

• Salad. Pair this soup with Black Bean Corn Salad, Avocado Salad, or Grilled Corn Salad.
• Cornbread. Mexican Cornbread, Jalapeno Cornbread, or Cornbread Muffins would be delightful for dipping with this Mexican tortilla soup.
• Veggies. Grilled Corn, Roasted Carrots, or Air Fryer Cauliflower would be tasty.
• Chips + Dip. You can’t go wrong with a side of chips and a delicious dip! Homemade guacamole, Mexican Corn Dip, and Vegan Queso are some of our favorites.

• Baking Sheet. A must-have for everyday cooking and baking.
• Dutch Oven. My go-to kitchen tool for preparing stovetop soups.
• Ladle. Ideal for serving soup!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Make Your Own Tortilla Strips. Not only is it easy to make homemade tortilla strips, but it’s also a great way to personalize your soup. When making your own strips, you can choose which brand and variety of tortillas to use. See tips to make your own in the recipe card below.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken. While the soup will certainly help keep your chicken moist, it’s still important to cook it properly. Overcooked chicken can become tough and rubbery, which isn’t the texture we want for our tortilla soup.
• Don’t Skip the Tomatoes. The crushed tomatoes are important for the overall flavor of this soup. If you don’t enjoy tomatoes and prefer a white chicken tortilla soup, check out my White Chicken Chili or Crockpot White Chicken Chili instead.