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Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup
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Chicken Tortilla Soup is a warm, comforting, and flavor-packed dish combining tender chicken, smoky spices, fresh vegetables, and crispy tortilla strips. This hearty yet light soup perfectly balances nourishing ingredients and vibrant flavors, making it an ideal meal for cozy dinners or weeknight cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins and Base

  • 1 to 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 6 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Legumes

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings and Garnishes

  • Crispy tortilla strips (made from corn tortillas)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
  • Optional: diced jalapeños or cayenne for heat
  • Optional: sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatics: Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in a bit of oil over medium heat until fragrant and translucent, creating the flavorful base for the soup.
  2. Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to toast the spices, then add diced tomatoes with their juices and cook together for a couple of minutes to meld the flavors.
  3. Simmer the soup: Pour in the chicken broth and add the whole chicken breasts or thighs. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked, about 20 minutes.
  4. Shred the chicken and add beans and corn: Remove chicken from the pot, shred using two forks, then return shredded chicken to the pot along with drained black beans and corn kernels. Stir well and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Add finishing touches: Just before serving, stir in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls and top generously with crispy tortilla strips and any optional garnishes like avocado, sour cream, or shredded cheese.

Notes

  • Use homemade chicken broth for richer flavor.
  • Don’t skip lime juice as it brightens the soup.
  • Make your own tortilla strips by baking or frying corn tortillas cut into strips for best freshness.
  • Adjust salt, spice, and acidity at the end for perfect balance.
  • Keep toppings flexible: sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and jalapeños offer customization.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Mexican soup, Chicken soup, Gluten free soup, Comfort food, Easy dinner

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/chicken-tortilla-soup/