If you’re craving a meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, look no further than this Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe. It’s bursting with bold flavors from tender shredded chicken, smoky spices, and fresh toppings that dance together perfectly. Whether you want a comforting dinner on a chilly night or a vibrant dish to impress friends, this soup delivers big on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen. Ready in about 40 minutes and packed with wholesome ingredients, it strikes the ideal balance between speedy preparation and satisfying flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this soup lies in its simple yet purposeful ingredients, each playing a key role in creating layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the fire-roasted tomatoes lending a smoky depth to the creamy avocados adding freshness, every component is thoughtfully chosen for a harmonious bowl of goodness.
- Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken: Saves time while providing juicy, tender chicken that’s perfect for shredding.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Forms a flavorful base without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Undrained diced tomatoes (fire-roasted recommended): Adds smoky sweetness and vibrant color.
- Black beans (drained and rinsed): Offers creaminess and plant-based protein.
- Corn (drained or frozen): Brings a subtle sweetness and pleasant bite.
- Yellow onion: Builds foundational savory notes once softened.
- Garlic cloves: Infuses the soup with aromatic warmth.
- Chili powder: Delivers that signature mild heat and depth.
- Ground cumin: Adds earthy undertones synonymous with Mexican cuisine.
- Dried oregano: Enhances herby complexity.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that balance all the flavors.
- Fresh lime juice: Brings a bright burst of acidity that lifts the entire soup.
- Crispy tortilla strips: Provide irresistible crunch as a topping.
- Diced avocado: Adds creaminess and refreshing contrast.
- Fresh cilantro: Offers herbal brightness and color.
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend): Melts beautifully for extra richness.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Balances spice with cool tang.
How to Make Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook it until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant, taking care not to let it brown. This step sets a savory, flavorful foundation for your soup.
Step 2: Toast the Spices
Next, sprinkle in chili powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to a minute. Toasting the spices like this awakens their rich flavors, giving your soup that signature smoky, warm seasoning that makes each spoonful so crave-worthy.
Step 3: Add Broth and Tomatoes
Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth along with the entire can of undrained diced tomatoes. Give everything a good stir, scraping up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. These bits add extra depth to your soup’s flavor.
Step 4: Simmer the Soup
Bring the mixture gently to a simmer, then lower the heat. Cover the pot and let the soup cook for 15 to 20 minutes. This simmering lets all those bold flavors mingle and meld into a luscious broth you’ll want to dive into right away.
Step 5: Add Beans, Corn, and Chicken
Stir in the drained black beans, corn, and shredded rotisserie chicken. These hearty additions provide texture, protein, and satisfying bites that make the soup a complete meal. Let it continue to simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes until everything is warmed through.
Step 6: Season to Perfection
This is the moment to taste and adjust seasoning. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to bring out the best in your soup. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right at the end brightens it all beautifully, balancing the smoky and savory elements perfectly.
Step 7: Serve and Garnish
Ladle your hot Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe into bowls, and pile on your favorite toppings. The garnishes not only look irresistible but also add fantastic layers of texture and flavor.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe
Garnishes
The best part about this soup is customizing it to suit your mood or taste. Crispy tortilla strips bring a satisfying crunch, diced avocado adds creamy richness, fresh cilantro provides a pop of herbal brightness, shredded cheese melts into gooey goodness, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt rounds everything out with cooling tang.
Side Dishes
Pair this soup with warm cornbread, a simple green salad, or even some spicy roasted veggies for a well-rounded meal. Each side complements the soup’s comforting flavors without overpowering it, making dinner effortless and delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve the soup in mini tortilla bowls or ramekins and offer garnishes on the side so everyone can build their own bowl. Adding a wedge of lime on the rim of each bowl also makes for inviting presentation and a little extra zing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover soup keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making your second bowl even more delicious!
Freezing
This soup freezes well, too. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Just keep toppings like avocado and tortilla strips separate to add fresh after reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your soup gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid boiling to preserve the tender texture of the chicken and beans. Add garnishes fresh right before serving to keep the toppings vibrant.
FAQs
Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie?
Absolutely! You can poach, roast, or grill chicken breasts or thighs beforehand, then shred them to use in the soup. Rotisserie chicken simply saves time and adds a bit of extra flavor.
Is this soup spicy?
The soup has a mild, pleasant heat from the chili powder, but it’s easy to adjust by adding extra chili or a splash of hot sauce if you prefer more spice.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, omit the shredded chicken, and consider adding extra beans or roasted veggies to keep it hearty and filling.
What type of cheese works best for this soup?
Cheddar and Monterey Jack are classics, but a Mexican blend adds a nice mix of meltiness and flavor that complements the soup beautifully.
How do I make crispy tortilla strips at home?
Simply cut corn tortillas into thin strips, toss with a little oil and salt, then bake or fry until golden and crisp. They’re an easy and tasty way to add crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe is genuinely one of my absolute favorites to make when I want a meal that’s both comforting and effortlessly flavorful. Its simplicity in ingredients and speed in preparation mean it’s perfect for any night of the week. I encourage you to whip up this soup, top it generously with your favorite garnishes, and savor every satisfying spoonful. You’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again!
Print
Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe – Quick & Delicious! Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a flavorful, hearty, and quick-to-make meal perfect for weeknights. Made with shredded rotisserie chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and an abundance of spices, it delivers comforting warmth and bold Mexican-inspired flavors. Garnish with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a delicious and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can undrained diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
- 2–3 cups shredded cooked chicken (from 1 pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
Garnishes
- Crispy tortilla strips
- Diced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh lime juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Toast spices: Add chili powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano to the pot. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to one minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup cook for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add beans, corn, and chicken: Stir in the drained black beans, drained corn, and shredded chicken. Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Season to taste: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
- Serve with garnishes: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired.
Notes
- Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken speeds up the preparation time significantly.
- For a spicier soup, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
- Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To keep the tortilla strips crispy, add them just before serving.
- Feel free to substitute black beans with pinto beans for a different flavor.
