Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the rich flavors of tender chicken, creamy broth, and vibrant spices. Perfect for cozy nights or casual gatherings, this soup delivers warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. Topped with crispy tortilla strips and your favorite garnishes, itโs sure to become a family favorite.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, itโs perfect for cooks of any skill level.
- Versatile: Customize the toppings and spice level to suit your taste.
- Comfort Food: Rich, creamy, and full of bold flavors, itโs the ultimate comfort dish.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Stores well and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
- Onion
- Garlic
- Spices: chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper
- Olive oil
- Tortilla strips for garnish
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sautรฉ diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Add spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika) and stir to combine, releasing their aromas.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add cooked chicken, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and corn. Simmer for about 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in heavy cream and let the soup heat through without boiling.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with crispy tortilla strips and your favorite toppings.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe serves 6 people.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken for hearty vegetables like zucchini or use plant-based protein alternatives.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeรฑos or a splash of hot sauce.
- Lighter Version: Use low-fat cream or skip the cream and blend part of the soup for thickness.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese for extra richness.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 30-second increments until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, combine all ingredients except the cream in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cream at the end.
2. What type of chicken works best?
Rotisserie chicken, shredded cooked chicken breast, or thighs all work well.
3. Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative instead of heavy cream.
4. How can I make it thicker?
Blend a portion of the soup or add a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water) during cooking.
5. What toppings pair well with this soup?
Tortilla strips, shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro are great choices.
6. Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, canned chicken is a convenient option, though fresh or rotisserie chicken provides the best flavor.
7. Is this soup gluten-free?
Ensure all ingredients, including broth and tortilla strips, are certified gluten-free.
8. How do I adjust the spice level?
Use fewer chilies or milder diced tomatoes for a milder soup, or add extra chili powder for more heat.
9. Can I use frozen corn?
Yes, frozen corn works perfectly in this recipe; just add it directly to the pot.
10. How can I store leftovers without the toppings?
Store the soup base separately from toppings like tortilla strips to keep them fresh and crispy.
Conclusion
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a flavorful and satisfying meal thatโs easy to make and adaptable to your preferences. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, itโs a dish the whole family will love. Try it today and enjoy the comforting blend of creamy broth, tender chicken, and bold spices!
Print
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, corn, black beans, and tomatoes in a creamy, spiced broth. Itโs perfect for a cozy meal and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- Soup Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeรฑo pepper, diced (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel), undrained
- 1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Toppings (Optional):
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Diced avocado
- Sour cream
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeรฑos
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Sautรฉ Aromatics:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sautรฉ until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and diced jalapeรฑo (if using); sautรฉ for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste:
- Stir in tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to become aromatic.
- Add Broth and Main Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add shredded chicken, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Stir to combine and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheeses:
- Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in softened cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly until melted.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Allow the soup to heat through without boiling.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and add desired toppings such as tortilla strips, diced avocado, sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapeรฑos, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can add more cream cheese or reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly.
- If you prefer a milder soup, omit the jalapeรฑo and use mild diced tomatoes without green chilies.
- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat to prevent the cream from separating.
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