Best Chicken Tortilla Soup (Print Version)

Flavorful Mexican-inspired soup with tender chicken, roasted tomatoes, corn, and lime, finished with crispy tortilla strips.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
07 - 1 lime, juiced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Canned Goods

09 - 1 can (14 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Tortilla Strips

17 - 4 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss tortilla strips with 1 tablespoon olive oil and spread on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
02 - In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño if using. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds to activate spices.
05 - Add chicken breasts, fire-roasted tomatoes with juice, corn, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove chicken breasts from pot and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup.
07 - Add lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaf.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips and desired toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade tortilla strips add this incredibly satisfying crunch that store bought tortilla chips just cant match and I promise youll be snacking on extras while cooking.
  • Its endlessly customizable with toppings so everyone at your table can create their perfect bowl without you having to make separate meals.
02 -
  • Adding the lime juice too early will cook out its brightness, so always stir it in during the final minutes to preserve that fresh zing that makes this soup sing.
  • The soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together overnight in the refrigerator.
03 -
  • Keep a close eye on the tortilla strips while baking as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds, especially if your oven runs hot.
  • Reserve a tablespoon of the cilantro to sprinkle fresh on top just before serving, as this brightens both the appearance and flavor of the finished soup.
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