This chicken tortilla soup recipe is made in ONE pot in 30 minutes. Always a crowd pleaser and tastes great loaded with cheese, avocado and tortilla chips.
Love soup recipes? Try my chicken vegetable soup, taco soup and chicken enchilada soup.
Table of Contents
30-Minute Mexican Tortilla Soup
There’s something about cooler weather approaching that makes me want to eat soup daily! I’ve tried out a few new soups over the last few weeks and buffalo chicken soup recipe, chicken taco soup and this authentic chicken tortilla soup were keepers.
The soup is filled with healthy ingredients like chicken, corn, beans, spices and salsa. It’s hearty, delicious and has the perfect kick.
It’s easy to make when you’re looking for something quick to make on the stove. I always have the ingredients on hand in my pantry which makes it so simple to throw together. Serve with your favorite toppings and a piece Mexican cornbread for the perfect meal.
Cooking Tips
- Rotisserie chicken. For an easier alternative, you can use cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts. Simply add it to the pan while sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Customize. This recipe is very easy to make your own. Throw in some chopped bell peppers or add an extra can of pinto beans to bulk it up even more. You can’t mess it up!
- Thickening the soup. Feel free to add in some cream cheese or shredded cheese during the last few minutes of cooking. The additional cheese helps to make a thick and creamy consistency, similar to my chicken enchilada soup.
- Make spicy. This soup has a small kick, but ramp it up even more with another 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Or add in some chopped jalapenos when sautéing the onions and garlic.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
This recipe can also be made into a crock pot chicken tortilla soup. Just add all of the ingredients in the slow cooker (no need to add olive oil since we aren’t frying the chicken) and then cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. Then shred the chicken and add back into the crockpot and mix.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Toppings
A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, avocado and crunchy tortilla strips are the perfect finishers to this delicious bowl of soup. Add a few spoonful’s of sour cream to make it a bit creamier, or some sliced jalapenos for extra heat. The beauty of adding toppings is that you can make the soup just how YOU like it!
- Tortilla strips or tortilla chips (store bought or homemade)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Avocado or guacamole
- Splash of lime juice
- Green onions
- Jalapenos
Tip: I love to save the crushed tortillas chips at the bottom of the bag, so don’t throw them out! Place them in a zip top bag or small container and you’ll love the extra flavor and crunch it adds.
Freezing + Reheating
Once the soup has cooled, store in a freezer bag or airtight plastic container (make sure to leave about an inch of space from the top so the soup has room to expand). Then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight or in the microwave if preferred. Then pour into a pot and let the soup simmer over low heat until it’s warm throughout.
For more soup recipes try cheeseburger soup, chicken and rice soup, cheesy southwest chicken soup and green enchilada chicken soup!
More Delicious Soup Recipes
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil , more as needed
- 1 onion , chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves minced garlic
- 29 ounces chicken broth (2 cans)
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (can add another 1/2-1 tsp if you like spicy)
- 15 ounces black beans (1 can)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 ½ cups chunky salsa
- salt and pepper
Toppings: Freshly chopped cilantro, tortilla strips or sliced tortillas, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime and avocado
Instructions
- In a large pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken in. Sprinkle salt and pepper over top. Sauté in the oil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until center is no longer pink.
- Add the onions and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and mix well, continuing to cook for 1 more minute.
- Next add the broth, corn, cumin, chili powder, beans, lemon or lime juice and salsa. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Top the soup with fresh cilantro if desired. Break up some tortilla chips or tortilla strips and add to individual bowls. Ladle tortilla soup over tortillas. Add desired toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Chicken, Cinco De Mayo, Crockpot, Crockpot, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, Mexican, Nut-Free, One Pot, One Pot, Soups, Stovetop, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This was so easy to make and my family loved it! I did use a rotisserie chicken to save on time. :)
Coming up with weeknight dinner ideas has been so much easier thanks to you. Thanks so much for blessing everyone with your easy to follow recipes.
Thank you for your kind comment Sally! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Just made this recipe for my parents’ anniversary. It was a hit all round. I absolutely loved it and it was so easy to make. I will definitely be making this again.
I’m so glad to hear it was a hit! Thanks for your comment and review Emily! :)
This is my favorite soup when I have a head cold. Of course, it’s so tasty that I enjoy it any time! My family likes it with chips and cheese on top, but my favorite topping is avocados. So good!
I absolutely love this recipe! The best flavor of any tortilla soup I’ve had!
This is one of my all time favorite soups. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
We are always looking for quick meals to make! This was so easy and tasted so good! Loved it!
Yummy! Easy & delicious
I added cream cheese(4oz) for a creamy version as suggested
In the bowl I topped with crunched up tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado, & a small dollop of sour cream
I’ll definitely make this again😊
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review!
This is a great chicken tortilla soup. I did sub grand turkey for the chicken. First sauteed the onion and then added the turkey and browned this – then followed the rest of the directions. I spooned it into a bowl, added sour cream and then added crushed tortilla chips. YUM!!
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your substitutions!
Just tried this recipe for the first time. It was so good! My picky son loved it too! Will definitely me making this all winter.
I’m so glad it was a hit with your son! Finding recipes my picky eaters like is always such a win!!
Do you put the chicken breast in whole or do you cut it into pieces?
I cube it into pieces!
I love tortilla soup! This recipe is super easy to make, easy to clean up, and easy to substitute what you have on hand!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review! :)
I love making chicken tortilla soup! This recipe looks so easy and I love that it only uses one pot!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy! :)
This soup is one of our favorites. I love trying new versions and can’t wait to whip this up!
Such a staple for this colder weather! Hope you enjoy! :)
Chicken Tortilla Soup is life! Love this recipe and this soup!
Such a staple for this time of year! I’m so glad you love this recipe. Thanks for leaving a comment Rachael! :)
I love the idea of making this and freezing it into lunch sized portions. Delicious!
Yes! I love getting multiple meals out of recipes!
Soup season is here and I’m all about the tex mex flavors! LOVE this one!
So happy soup season is here!!
I love this soup so I decided I would make it at home. I could live on it every day
One of my favorites too! I’m glad you enjoyed it! :)
I have to try this! Looks so tasty!! and just an fyi, I picked up some tortilla strips at Aldi the other day! They are by the croutons. They are pretty tasty!