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. It’s perfect for a cozy meal and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
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- Soup Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño 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 jalapeños
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and diced jalapeño (if using); sauté 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 jalapeños, 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 jalapeño 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.