Chicken tortilla soup is an easy recipe packed full of authentic Mexican flavors! This easy chicken tortilla soup recipe is filled with chicken, corn, chilis, black beans, and so much more. Then it’s topped with homemade tortilla strips for the perfect finish. It’s a tasty main meal or hearty appetizer.
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is always a favorite, whether it’s from your favorite Mexican restaurant, or made fresh right at home.
This tortilla soup with chicken is so easy and so tasty! It’s filling enough to make a whole meal out of it, but works great as an appetizer or side soup too.
This stovetop recipe is filled with all the best ingredients with just a bit of spice. Everyone in the household will love this!
Why You’ll Love this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe:
- Easy: Nothing could be easier than throwing ingredients in a pot, and letting it simmer on the stove.
- Flavorful: This soup is filled with chicken, chilis, rice, and lots of ingredients that cook together to create delicious flavor.
- Authentic: This tortilla soup recipe tastes like it’s straight from Mexico (or from your favorite Mexican restaurant), with all the flavors you’d expect.
Ingredients List
- Chicken
- Enchilada Sauce
- Water
- Rice
- Corn
- Black Beans
- Red Chili Pepper
- Shredded Cheese
- Cilantro
- Salt & Pepper
- Lime Juice
How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Make the homemade tortilla strips by baking fresh tortillas in the oven.
- Fill a large pot with water, chicken, enchilada sauce, salt & pepper. Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for 1 hour.
- Add rice and let it cook.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer another 10 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnish as desired, and enjoy!
What is Tortilla Soup?
Tortilla soup is a Mexican dish that is made with a chicken broth and tomato base. It incorporates traditional Mexican ingredients like corn, chili, lime, and cilantro, and then topped off with crispy tortilla chips. It’s mild in spice and it’s a hearty soup with rice that can easily be served as a main meal.
The recipe calls for bone-in leg quarters, which includes the thigh and drumstick. You can also use all thigh meat if you prefer.
There is some red chili pepper in here to add some spice, but it’s not overwhelming. It evens out nicely into the soup as it simmers.
This soups needs about an hour and a half on the stove. We’re starting from scratch, so the chicken and rice need time to fully cook.
If you prefer to make your chicken tortilla soup with another method (instead of stovetop), try this Crockpot version, or Instant pot recipe for instructions.
Serving Suggestions
This deliciously easy chicken tortilla soup makes a great main dish, appetizer, or side soup. It pairs well with salads, or your other Mexican favorites.
For toppings, I definitely recommend the tortilla strips. You can also add more shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, or olives.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use bone in chicken thighs for the richest flavor.
- Use your favorite jarred enchilada sauce to save on time!
- You can used canned, fresh or frozen corn in this recipe.
- Add an extra chili if you like things spicy!
How long does chicken tortilla soup keep?
Once cooked, let the soup cool to room temperature, and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Save the tortillas strips separately so that they don’t get soggy!
Reheat the soup on the stovetop, but be mindful to only reheat it once since it contains chicken. Just reheat as much as you need for each serving.
Chicken tortilla soup can also be frozen, for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop.
Is chicken tortilla soup healthy?
This recipe makes enough soup for eight healthy portions and each serving is under 350 calories. The chicken and beans provide protein and fiber, and the rice provides carbohydrates. Full of fresh and healthy ingredients, this soup makes a great well balanced meal. Substitute chicken breast if you want to lighten things up.
More Chicken Soup Recipes You’ll Love
This is hands-down the best chicken tortilla soup recipe because it’s so easy and so delicious. Making this at home is a breeze, and you can make it ahead of time so it’s ready to reheat for weeknight dinners.
Tasty Mexican chicken recipes!
- Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe
- Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
- Mexican Chicken Salad Sandwiches
If you’ve made this recipe, please be sure to let us know by leaving a star rating or a comment below. Enjoy!
Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Ingredients
For tortilla chips:
- 2 8” tortillas burrito size
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For soup:
- 2 bone-in chicken leg quarters
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 10 cups of water
- ¼ cup rice
- 8.5 ounces canned corn
- 15.25 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 red chili pepper chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Juice of 2 limes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
For tortilla chips:
- Preheat oven at 350C/170C
- Line a baking sheet with baking paper
- Cut tortillas into thin strips2 8” tortillas
- In a small bowl add the tortillas, olive oil and salt. Mix well until tortillas are evenly coated3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, 2 8” tortillas
- Arrange the tortilla strips onto the baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes until golden brown
For soup
- Fill a large pot with 10 cups of water, add the chicken, enchilada sauce, salt, black pepper and bring to boil2 bone-in chicken leg quarters, 10 ounces red enchilada sauce, 1 tsp salt, 10 cups of water, 1 tsp black pepper
- Simmer for 1 hour
- Add the rice and let it cook for 20 minutes¼ cup rice
- Add the corn, beans and juice of lime, cheddar cheese and red chili peppers and simmer for 10 minutes8.5 ounces canned corn, 15.25 ounces black beans, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Juice of 2 limes, 1 red chili pepper
- Garnish with tortilla chips, sprinkle with some fresh cilantro and serve!¼ cup fresh cilantro
This recipe was contributed by Michaella at Well + Yum.
Rachael Yerkes says
Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of my all time favorites!
Becky Hardin says
ME TOO! Always up for it!
Jen says
So happy that we’re entering soup season again, yay!! This is one of my favorites!
Becky Hardin says
SAME
Melissa says
This was so yummy! My family really enjoyed it!
Becky Hardin says
So happy to hear that 🙂 🙂
Katie says
Love the flavors in this. The whole family loved it too!
Becky Hardin says
So glad!
Chelsea says
This was sooo delicious!! Everyone loved it!! Thanks for sharing!
Becky Hardin says
hooray!
Marie Czarnecki says
RECIPE LOOKS GREAT, BUT I WOULD USE BONE IN CHICKEN THIGHS.
Becky Hardin says
That would work fine! Hope you love the recipe.