Cozy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Chicken tortilla soup delivers a magical blend of comfort and zest that instantly warms your soul.

Hearty ingredients mingle to create a vibrant dish bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors.

Tender chicken pieces swim alongside crisp vegetables in a rich, velvety broth.

Fragrant spices dance through each spoonful, promising a culinary adventure that tickles every taste bud.

Crispy tortilla strips add delightful crunch to this mouthwatering meal.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of traditional cooking with a modern twist.

Come hungry and leave satisfied with this incredible soup that turns an ordinary evening into a celebration of deliciousness.

Creamy Goodness in Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Effortless Prep: Whip up this delectable soup with minimal chopping and simple ingredients anyone can handle, making it perfect for busy home cooks looking for a hassle-free meal.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold spices like cayenne, cumin, and taco seasoning, this soup delivers a zesty punch that transforms an ordinary dinner into a taste adventure.
• Kid and Adult Crowd-Pleaser: Creamy, cheesy, and customizable with toppings, this soup appeals to all ages, making it an ideal family dinner option that keeps everyone satisfied and coming back for seconds.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking process mean you'll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a hearty, comforting meal with loved ones.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Essentials

• Chicken: Tender meat as the main protein of the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful base for the soup.

• Onion, Jalapeno, Garlic: Aromatic base for depth of flavor.
• Corn, Tomatoes, Black Beans: Hearty vegetables adding texture and nutrition.
• Tomato Paste: Rich concentrate for intense tomato flavor.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps sauté vegetables.
• Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese: Creamy, melty components for a smooth soup texture.

• Cayenne, Cumin, Hot Sauce, Taco Seasoning: Spicy and warm flavor profile.

• Tortilla Strips: Crispy topping for added crunch.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Creamy Method

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Grab a large pot and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in diced onions, minced jalapenos, and crushed garlic. Sauté these flavor-packed ingredients until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious aroma.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base

• Corn kernels
• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Chicken broth

Stir everything together to create a rich, vibrant base.

Step 3: Spice Up the Flavor

• Cayenne pepper
• Ground cumin
• Hot sauce
• Taco seasoning

Drop in chicken pieces and bring the soup to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer until the chicken is perfectly cooked through.

Step 4: Shred and Enrich

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot. Shred it into tender pieces using two forks, then return the meat to the soup. Melt in cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until the soup becomes wonderfully creamy and smooth.

Step 5: Serve with Crunch

Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla strips for an extra layer of texture and excitement. Enjoy your comforting, flavor-packed meal!

What Helps with Tortilla Chicken Soup

• Spice Control: Adjust cayenne and hot sauce levels to match your heat tolerance, ensuring a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Cut cream cheese into small cubes for smoother, faster melting and prevent lumpy texture in the soup.
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with shredded turkey, tofu, or black beans for dietary preferences or vegetarian options.
• Tortilla Strip Crunch: Bake or air fry tortilla strips for a healthier alternative to deep-frying, maintaining that perfect crispy texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Soup can be stored in airtight containers for up to 4 days, with flavors developing and intensifying over time.

Storing Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Correctly

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring minimal air contact to prevent freezer burn.
• Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature and continue heating until thoroughly warm.
• Pour soup into a saucepan and reheat over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even warming. Add a splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick, helping restore original consistency.

What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Amplify Cheese Flavors: Pair with a crisp, hoppy IPA beer that cuts through the soup's richness and complements the sharp cheddar and creamy textures.
• Balance Heat with Brightness: Select a zesty white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which offers citrusy notes to counteract the soup's spicy cayenne and hot sauce.
• Cool Down Spice Intensity: Serve alongside a refreshing Mexican-style lager that neutralizes the heat while enhancing the soup's complex southwestern flavors.
• Elevate Protein Experience: Complement the shredded chicken with a classic margarita, whose lime and tequila notes highlight the soup's bold Mexican-inspired profile.

Tortilla Soup Flavor Additions

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with extra firm tofu or black beans for a protein-packed meat-free version. Crumble tofu and add during the simmering stage for similar texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cream cheese and cheddar with cashew cream or coconut milk. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor profile without dairy.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip tortilla strips and use pork rinds or almond flour crackers as crunchy topping. Replace corn with cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Spice Level Adjustment: For mild version, reduce jalapeno and cayenne. For extra heat, add chipotle peppers or increase hot sauce quantity. Include fresh cilantro for added complexity.

FAQs

• Is this soup spicy?

The heat level depends on your jalapeño and cayenne pepper. You can easily adjust spiciness by reducing or omitting hot peppers and cayenne for a milder version.

• Can I use different proteins?

Absolutely! You can substitute chicken with shredded turkey, ground beef, or even make it vegetarian by using plant-based protein or additional beans.

• Do I need special equipment to make this soup?

No special equipment required. A large pot and basic kitchen tools like a knife and cutting board are all you need to prepare this delicious soup.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Use low-fat cheese, reduce butter quantity, add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, and choose low-sodium chicken broth for a nutritious version.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican “Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup” delivers bold southwestern flavors in a luscious broth packed with tender chicken and crisp tortilla strips. Comfort meets culinary excitement, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this soul-warming classic.

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Ingredients

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Primary Proteins:

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups shredded chicken
• 5 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Base Ingredients:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces / 283 grams) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed

Seasonings and Dairy:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 grams) taco seasoning
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup softened cream cheese
• Tortilla strips, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat a generously sized pot and gently soften diced onions, minced jalapenos, and crushed garlic until translucent and aromatic.
2. Incorporate tomato paste, stirring thoroughly to develop rich flavor and prevent burning, then introduce corn kernels, diced tomatoes, hearty black beans, and savory chicken broth.
3. Layer complex spices including cayenne, robust cumin, zesty hot sauce, and signature taco seasoning into the simmering liquid. Nestle raw chicken pieces into the bubbling mixture, allowing them to poach until perfectly cooked through.
4. Extract chicken from the soup, carefully shred into tender morsels using two forks, then return protein back to the pot’s warming embrace.
5. Gradually melt sharp cheddar and velvety cream cheese into the soup, whisking continuously to create a luxuriously smooth, creamy texture that binds all ingredients harmoniously.
6. Ladle the piping hot soup into deep serving bowls, crowning each portion with crisp, golden tortilla strips for a delightful textural contrast and authentic Mexican-inspired presentation.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeno and cayenne quantities for mild or spicy preferences.
• Replace dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives like cashew or nutritional yeast for vegan adaptation.
• Choose boneless chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat compared to chicken breasts.
• Enhance soup’s thickness by slightly mashing some black beans or adding extra cream cheese for creamier texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 75mg