Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup: Fiesta in a Bowl!

This Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup is like a hug in a bowl! My authentic tortilla soup recipe boasts smoky broth and tender chicken. Get the recipe and tips here!

June 5, 2025
By Zelia Thorne.

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Right, let's dive into this tortilla soup recipe . honestly, who doesn't love a good, hearty soup? i remember my first attempt at chicken tortilla soup , total disaster! way too salty.

But hey, we learn from our mistakes, right? this recipe is all about getting that authentic, smoky flavor with a bit of a kick.

It’s basically like a fiesta in a bowl, so get ready to dance!

What’s the Deal with this Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup?

This authentic chicken tortilla soup recipe has roots in mexico, obvs. it’s proper comfort food. think of it as a warm hug on a chilly evening.

This recipe is medium difficulty. you'll spend about 25 minutes prepping and 45 minutes cooking. that's just over an hour, and it makes about 6 servings, enough for the family, or some serious leftovers!

Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup: Fiesta in a Bowl! Recipe Card

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (adjust to your heat preference)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (5 ml)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (2.5 ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (1.25 ml)
• 4 cups chicken broth (1 liter)
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (411g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained (425g)
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained (Ro-Tel) (283g)
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste (2.5 ml)
• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (680g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.5 ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (1.25 ml)
• 6 corn tortillas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
• Salt to taste
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced avocado
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges

Instructions:

• Season chicken breasts. Cook in boiling water until cooked, and shred.
• Cut tortillas into thin strips, toss with oil and salt, and bake until crispy.
• Sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño in the pot until softened.
• Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano; cook for 1 minute to release their aromas.
• Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Ro-Tel, and black beans. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Stir in the shredded chicken.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, top with tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Soup Tortilla Goodness

One of the best things is that it’s packed with protein. you get a good dose of fiber from the beans, too.

This soup is perfect for a casual get-together, or when you’re just feeling a bit under the weather. what makes this recipe for tortilla soup special is the layering of flavors.

The toasted spices, the smoky chilies, the fresh lime – it’s all about balance. and it’s just so customisable. time to grab your ingredients! you can even turn this into one of those easy crop pot meals .

Right then, let's chat about what you'll need to make this epic tortilla soup recipe . it's easier than you think, promise! we're making a hearty chicken tortilla soup , so grab your apron and let's get started.

Gathering Your Goods

Main Ingredients

Okay, here’s the breakdown. These amounts are for six servings.

• Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) – any kind will do.
• Yellow onion: 1 medium , chopped. Quality indicator: Should be firm and smell oniony!
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is best!
• Red bell pepper: 1 , chopped. Quality indicator: Should be vibrant and firm.
• Jalapeño: 1 , seeded and minced (adjust to your taste).
• Chili powder: 1 teaspoon (5 ml).
• Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon (5 ml).
• Smoked paprika: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml).
• Dried oregano: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml).
• Chicken broth: 4 cups (1 liter).
• Diced tomatoes: 1 (14.5 ounce) can (411g), undrained.
• Black beans: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g), rinsed and drained.
• Diced tomatoes and green chilies (Ro-Tel): 1 (10 ounce) can (283g), undrained.
• Salt and pepper: To taste – I usually start with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of pepper.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 1.5 pounds (680g).

Seasoning Secrets

Right, let’s talk flavour bombs. Honestly, the spices are key to this authentic chicken tortilla soup recipe .

• Essential spice combo: Chili powder + cumin + smoked paprika. This gives it that classic smoky, slightly spicy vibe.
• Flavour enhancers: Garlic, onion, and jalapeño. Don’t skimp on these!
• Quick subs: If you don’t have smoked paprika, use regular paprika. No oregano? A pinch of Italian seasoning will do.

Equipment Essentials

Don't sweat it, you probably have this stuff.

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven. This is where the magic happens for your tortilla soup stove top .
• Baking sheet. For those crispy tortilla strips, innit.
• Chef's knife and cutting board. Obvious, but crucial.
• Common household alternative: If you don't have a Dutch oven, a regular large pot is fine. If you don't have a baking sheet, you can use a large frying pan.

This is an easy crop pot meals if you wanna use your slow cooker for this recipe!. This chicken tortilla soup recipe crockpot is one of my fav!

Once you have these, chicken soup tortilla , you are ready to start cooking. This could be perfect for a chicken tortilla soup for two , or if you want to save some for later!

Honestly, preparing is the biggest part. Once you have all the ingredients together, it's all downhill from there!

Alright, let's get this tortilla soup recipe show on the road! forget boring old chicken noodle soup. we're diving headfirst into a bowl of sunshine with my kickin' chicken tortilla soup: fiesta in a bowl! honestly, this hearty chicken tortilla soup is like a warm hug from mexico.

I started messing about with this recipe years ago, and now? it's a family fave! one time, i added way too much jalapeño.

Oh my gosh, it was fire! lesson learned: taste as you go. i am now going to explain the process of making this delicious dish.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place is Your Mate!

Mise en place basically means "everything in its place". it's proper chef talk. get all your bits chopped, measured, and ready to roll.

This stops you from flapping about like a headless chicken later. chop your onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and mince that garlic.

Drain and rinse your beans. and, most importantly, get the chicken breasts ready. this is the essential mise en place.

For time-saving organization, use those little prep bowls. they are a game-changer. a little tip for you, make sure to always wash your hands after dealing with the jalapeño.

I once rubbed my eye... never again.

Step-by-Step to Tortilla-licious!

1. Cook That Chicken: Season your 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper . Plonk them in boiling water. Simmer until cooked through, about 15- 20 minutes . Then, shred that chook like a legend.
2. Tortilla Time: Cut 6 corn tortillas into thin strips. Toss with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350° F ( 175° C) until crispy, about 8- 10 minutes . Don't burn them, yeah?
3. Aromatic Awesomeness: In a large soup pot, sauté 1 chopped medium yellow onion, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 1 seeded and minced jalapeño in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until softened.
4. Spice it Up! Stir in 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute. This "blooming" the spices thing makes a huge difference.
5. Soup's On: Stir in 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes (undrained), 1 (15 ounce) can of rinsed and drained black beans, and 1 (10 ounce) can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (Ro-Tel, undrained). Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
6. Simmer Down: Bring the soup to a simmer. Then, reduce the heat and cook for 20 minutes. This lets all the flavors get to know each other.
7. Chicken In! Stir in the shredded chicken.
8. Taste and Tweak: Have a taste. Add more salt, pepper, or even a squeeze of lime to make it perfect. If you like things extra spicy, a dash of hot sauce never hurts!

Pro Tips for Boss-Level Soup

Want to take your authentic chicken tortilla soup recipe to the next level? toast your spices in a dry pan before adding them to the soup.

It boosts the flavour. also, don’t be shy with the lime at the end. it brightens everything up.

One common mistake? soggy tortilla strips! bake them right before serving. or, you can even lightly fry them in a pan for extra crispiness.

The chicken tortilla soup for two can also be easily prepped in advance. make the soup a day ahead and refrigerate.

It tastes even better the next day!

Honestly, this chicken tortilla soup recipes homemade is amazing and you really should try it. i also hear you can make a chicken tortilla soup recipe crockpot but i have never done it, and don't know.

What i know is that this soup is good, and easy to make, or at least easier than easy crop pot meals .

Let me know what you think!

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of this Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup : Fiesta in a Bowl! You know, the stuff after you've slaved away making it? Don't worry, it's all the fun bits!

Recipe Notes: The After Party!

Plating Like a Pro

Honestly, presentation matters, right? ladle that glorious tortilla soup recipe into bowls. i like to use nice earthenware ones. think rustic! then, arrange your toppings all fancy-like.

A pile of shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, some diced avocado (don’t forget the lime!), and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

And those crispy chicken soup tortilla strips? artistically placed, naturally! this makes the soup even better. i like the soup with a bit of colour.

Don't forget, presentation is key. Try adding a couple of lime wedges on the side.

Storage Savvy

Refrigeration: Got leftovers? Of course, you do. This hearty chicken tortilla soup keeps in the fridge for like, 3-4 days. Make sure it's in an airtight container, yeah?

Freezing: fancy making a big batch for later? good thinking! this authentic chicken tortilla soup recipe freezes pretty well. just let it cool completely first, then pop it in freezer-safe containers.

It will last up to 3 months. when you're ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: reheating is a doddle. just gently heat it on the stovetop, or, if you’re feeling lazy, microwave it. just stir it every now and then! i sometimes add a splash of extra broth if it's gotten a bit thick in the fridge.

Swaps and Changes

Sometimes you gotta mix it up. Here are a couple of my favourite ways to tweak this recipe for tortilla soup :

• Low-Carb: Ditch the tortilla strips. Add extra avocado. Seriously. Avocados are just great.
• Seasonal: In the autumn, I like adding a handful of roasted butternut squash. Gives it a lovely, sweet vibe. I sometimes do chicken tortilla soup recipe crockpot .

The Good Stuff Inside

Okay, let's get a little bit serious. this chicken tortilla soup for two (or six!) is actually pretty decent for you.

You are getting a good chunk of protein from the chicken, plus fibre from the beans and tomatoes. and all those veggies pack a nutritional punch.

And the lime juice adds a bit of vitamin c. though, admittedly, the cheese and sour cream aren’t exactly health food, but hey, balance, right? this recipe also makes easy crop pot meals with all the vegetables packed in it.

So there you have it! loads of ideas to make your chicken tortilla soup recipes homemade even better. now go on, get cooking (and eating!).

You totally got this! and remember this tortilla soup stove top instructions.