Classic Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable)

A comforting Mexican-inspired soup with tender chicken, tomatoes, and spices, topped with crispy tortilla strips.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken and Stock

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz)
02 - 6 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic minced
05 - 1 medium red bell pepper diced
06 - 1 medium jalapeño seeded and diced
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
08 - 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
09 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Tortilla Strips

17 - 4 corn tortillas sliced into thin strips
18 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Garnishes

19 - 1 avocado diced
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
21 - 1 lime cut into wedges
22 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - Sour cream for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss tortilla strips with vegetable oil and spread on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crisp, tossing halfway through. Set aside.
02 - In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add chicken breasts, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and set aside.
03 - In the same pot, add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, corn, black beans, and shredded chicken back to the pot. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to blend flavors.
06 - Check seasoning and adjust salt or spice as desired.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla strips and optional garnishes such as avocado, cilantro, lime, cheese, and sour cream.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • Everything simmers in one pot so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The homemade tortilla strips make all the difference and are incredibly easy
  • You can customize the spice level and toppings to make everyone happy
02 -
  • The soup tastes even better the next day so consider making it ahead
  • Do not skip the homemade tortilla strips, they are what makes this special
  • Rotisserie chicken works perfectly if you need to save time
03 -
  • Cut your tortilla strips uniformly so they all crisp at the same rate
  • Let guests add their own toppings so everyone gets exactly what they want

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