Chicken Tortilla Soup, a warm and comforting Mexican dish, combines chicken breast, beans, corn, tomatoes, and basic seasonings in a single pot. Served with homemade tortilla strips, avocado, and lime wedges, it's an easy-to-make comfort food perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a party favorite.
To prepare Homemade Tortilla Strips (skip this step if using store-bought)
Gather 6 soft yellow corn tortillas and place them on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the tortillas into thin strips.
In a pan over medium heat, add enough oil to cover the bottom. Once the oil is hot, carefully add a few tortilla strips, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the strips until they become crispy and turn a golden brown color, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the crispy tortilla strips from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the frying process until all the tortilla strips have been fried.
To make Chicken Tortilla Soup
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Sauté until aromatic.
Stir in chili powder, cumin powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
Add chicken breast and combine it with the onion and seasoning mixture.
Incorporate corn, drained and rinsed black beans, and diced tomatoes. Mix well. Pour in 6 cups of bone broth and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Remove the chicken breast from the soup mixture and shred it using a fork.
Return the shredded chicken to the soup and mix it in. Simmer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
Finish by squeezing in lime juice and garnishing with cilantro leaves. Remove the soup from the heat, and it's now ready to be enjoyed.
To Serve
To serve, ladle the Chicken Tortilla Soup into bowls, and generously top each serving with a handful of homemade tortilla strips. Offer sliced avocado, lime wedges, and diced jalapeno pepper on the side to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
Here are some helpful tips to enhance your Chicken Tortilla Soup experience:
Tortilla Strips: Opt for soft corn tortillas when making homemade strips, cutting them into thin slices and frying until crispy. If you're short on time, store-bought tortilla chips or strips are a convenient alternative.
Chicken: Cooking chicken breast within the soup and shredding it afterwards enriches the soup’s flavor. Alternatively, repurpose leftovers like rotisserie, baked, air fryer, or roasted chicken for convenience and taste.
Seasonings: The recipe's spices and seasonings are carefully balanced, but don't hesitate to adjust according to your taste preferences.
Bone Broth: Incorporating low-sodium bone broth significantly enhances the soup’s depth of flavor, making it a recommended choice.
For a Thicker Soup: If you prefer a richer soup, consider adding 4 ounces of cream cheese or a cornstarch slurry. The original recipe yields a lighter soup, but these additions can offer a more substantial texture.