Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe You’ll Devour
Cozy Comfort in a Bowl: Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
There's nothing quite like a bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup to warm you up on a chilly day! I absolutely love both versions of this recipe, it’s perfect for those moments when you crave cozy comfort food without the fuss. I offer a quick method with plenty of convenient shortcuts for busy days, as well as a longer, more leisurely approach that allows you to infuse a little extra love into the dish. Either way, it’s delicious! And don’t forget to try my homemade crispy tortilla strips. They make a fantastic topping for the soup or a tasty snack on their own. Enjoy every comforting spoonful!
The Key to Quick and Flavorful Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
When it comes to my creamy chicken tortilla soup, most of the ingredients are already prepped for you. But there’s one key element that can make or break the speed and flavor of the dish: the chicken. There are three great ways to prepare it, and each offers a different level of convenience and flavor.
1. Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken (Quick and Easy)
For the fastest prep, I recommend using a store-bought rotisserie chicken. While these chickens don’t pack a ton of flavor on their own, that’s easy to fix! Simply warm the chicken meat in chicken broth with some spices. As the chicken soaks up the flavors, you can chop your veggies. If you’re in a rush, you can even toss the rotisserie chicken directly into the pot without warming it first.
2. Raw Chicken (More Hands-On)
If you prefer a slightly more hands-on approach, you can add cleaned raw chicken—typically a chicken breast and two thighs—at the beginning of cooking. Once it’s cooked through, shred the meat and stir it back into the soup. This method takes a little longer but is still a fast option compared to the next one.
3. Smoked Chicken (Full of Flavor)
My absolute favorite way to prepare chicken for this soup is to bake or grill it. When I want to take it up a notch, I smoke the chicken on the grill with applewood chips. The smoky flavor adds a delicious depth to the creamy soup, and the hint of spice really ties everything together. While this method takes the most time, it’s totally worth it for that extra flavor!
No matter which method you choose, your creamy chicken tortilla soup will be a cozy and flavorful treat!
Be sure to watch the video to discover the special touches I added that really take this creamy chicken tortilla soup over the top!
The Best Tomatoes for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup: Canned vs. Fresh
The other ingredient that may take some time in this creamy chicken tortilla soup is the diced or crushed tomatoes. For convenience, you can easily go with the canned version, which works perfectly! However, if you have fresh tomatoes from your garden, I highly recommend using those instead. Just season them, drizzle with a bit of oil, and roast them for about 20 minutes for a fantastic flavor boost. Be sure to watch the video to see my results! After roasting, I pop them into my food processor and give them a quick pulse to chunk them up—no need to peel them! Trust me, my soup turned out nice and creamy, just the way I like it.
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade (if cooking from scratch)
- 1 pound 16 oz chicken thighs and breasts (or any mix of light and dark meat)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime and zest about 2 tablespoons
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro: optional chopped (for added flavor)
Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 bell pepper red or green, diced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned
- Juice of 1 lime optional
- Fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
For the Creaminess:
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Instructions
Marinade Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag or cover the dish, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for more flavor).
- Bake or Grill Chicken until done. Shred Chicken.
- If you're short on time, you can add the chicken directly to the pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup during the early cooking process. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot, shred it, and then return it to the soup.
Soup Base Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic, jalapeño, and bell pepper. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers soften.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, black beans, and corn. Simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes until heated through.
- After simmering the soup and just before serving, lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
- Let the cream heat through for a few minutes, but avoid boiling.
- Squeeze the lime juice into the soup to brighten the flavors just before serving.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, or any of your favorite toppings.
Notes
Crispy Tortilla Strips
Ingredients
- 4-6 corn tortillas or flour tortillas
- ¼ cup vegetable oil or enough for frying
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Optional: spices chili powder, cumin, or paprika for seasoning
Instructions
- Stack the tortillas and cut them into strips, about 1/4 inch wide. For a different shape, cut them into triangles.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, ensuring it covers the bottom of the skillet (about 1/4 inch deep).
- Once the oil is hot (test by dropping in a small piece of tortilla; it should sizzle), add the tortilla strips in a single layer. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry the strips for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the strips and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- While still hot, sprinkle with salt and any optional spices.
- Let the strips cool for a few minutes. They will crisp up further as they cool.
Baking Option:
- For a healthier version, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the strips with a little oil, spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer, and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. Re-crisp in the oven if needed.
Final Steps for the Perfect Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Now that everything is in the pot, all that's left to do is hold off on the lime juice and heavy whipping cream until the end! At this stage, you’ll want to decide how long you’d like to cook it. I personally love to let my spiced-based soups simmer longer for that deep, rich flavor, but honestly, it’s still fantastic even after just 30 minutes. Just do a little taste test to adjust the flavors to your liking! When you’re nearing the end of cooking, add the heavy cream—either during the last few minutes of simmering or right before cutting off the heat. Trust me, you don’t want any chunky curds in your soup! If you’d like, squeeze in some lime juice to brighten everything up. And let’s not forget about toppings—there are so many delicious choices to elevate your bowl of soup!
Did I Mention Toppings? The Key to a Delicious Tortilla Soup!
It wouldn’t be tortilla soup without the tortillas, right? For an easy fix, store-bought options are totally fine, and your favorite brand of tortilla chips will work well, too. But I have to say, there’s nothing like the taste of homemade tortilla strips made from either white or yellow corn tortillas! They add a wonderful crunch and flavor that really makes the soup special. And let’s not forget about the toppings—there’s always cheese! Whether you go for cheddar or a Tex-Mex blend, it’s the perfect addition. For an extra creamy touch, you can’t go wrong with avocado slices and a dollop of sour cream. These toppings elevate the soup and make every bowl a real treat!
Cheese Options for Topping Your Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
| Cheese | Description |
|---|---|
| Cotija | This crumbly Mexican cheese adds a salty kick and complements the soup's flavors beautifully. |
| Queso Fresco | A fresh, mild cheese that adds creaminess without overpowering the dish. |
| Monterey Jack | Melts well and has a mild flavor, making it a great choice for a creamy texture. |
| Cheddar | Sharp or mild, cheddar adds a nice flavor and richness when melted on top. |
| Pepper Jack | For a bit of heat, pepper jack cheese will enhance the spiciness of the soup while adding creaminess. |
Try them all!
The Perfect Soup for Any Occasion
This creamy chicken tortilla soup is the perfect dish to whip up, boasting fantastic flavors that everyone will love. It's great for themed dinners like Taco Tuesdays or Tex-Mex nights, and you can even serve it at brunches for a fun twist. I've included it at my tea party, and it always gets rave reviews! Plus, it’s slow cooker adaptable, making it a breeze to prepare. If you're looking to boost the comfort factor, pair it with some Mexican cornbread. Together, they create a cozy hug in a bowl that’s sure to warm your heart and satisfy your cravings!
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Hey, if you tried this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know what you think! A quick rating helps others out too, and if you added your own twist, let’s talk about it!