Best Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printer-friendly)

Flavorful Mexican-style soup with tender chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, corn, and crispy tortilla strips.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)

→ 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 pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
07 - 1 lime, juiced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Canned Goods

09 - 1 can (14 oz) 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

→ Optional Toppings

19 - Sliced avocado
20 - Shredded cheese
21 - Sour cream
22 - Extra lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss tortilla strips with 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, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds.
05 - Add chicken breasts, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice, corn, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove chicken breasts from pot. Shred with two forks and return to pot.
07 - Add lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaf.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with toasted tortilla strips and desired optional toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under an hour.
  • The fire-roasted tomatoes and smoked paprika give it a depth that feels restaurant-quality.
  • You can make the tortilla strips ahead and keep them in a jar for instant crunch.
  • It's endlessly customizable with toppings, so everyone at the table gets exactly what they want.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the spices, even for 30 seconds it transforms their flavor from flat to full.
  • Add the lime juice at the very end so it stays bright and doesn't cook off.
  • If your tortilla strips go soft, pop them back in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
03 -
  • Use kitchen shears to cut the tortillas into strips, it's faster and less messy than a knife.
  • If you're using rotisserie chicken, add it in the last 5 minutes just to warm through so it doesn't get rubbery.
  • Make the tortilla strips a day ahead and store them in an airtight container so you can have soup ready even faster.
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