Warm up with a delicious bowl of zesty chicken tortilla soup! This easy recipe is packed with flavorful ingredients like tender chicken, black beans, sweet corn, and a hint of lime. In just 30 minutes, you can create a comforting dish that's perfect for any occasion. Discover how to bring the flavors together while garnishing with crispy tortilla strips and fresh cilantro.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 red bell pepper, diced into medium pieces
1 fresh jalapeño, minced (seeds removed for less heat, if preferred)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
4 cups rich chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, including juices
1 (15 oz) can black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded into bite-sized pieces
1 cup sweet corn (use frozen or fresh)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Crispy tortilla strips, for serving
Slices of ripe avocado (optional, for garnish)
![To make your Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup, gather these key items: - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 1 medium onion, finely diced - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 red bell pepper, diced into medium pieces - 1 fresh jalapeño, minced (remove seeds for less heat) - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 4 cups rich chicken broth - 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, including juices - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 1 cup sweet corn (frozen or fresh) - Salt and pepper, to taste - Juice of 1 lime - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish - Crispy tortilla strips, for serving - Slices of ripe avocado (optional) You can tweak the soup to fit your taste with these optional items: - Extra spices like chili powder or cayenne for more heat - Sliced radishes for crunch - Sour cream for creaminess - Shredded cheese for a savory touch - Lime wedges for extra zest If you lack any ingredients, don't worry! Here are some easy swaps: - Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option. - Swap black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans. - Use rotisserie chicken if you need a quicker option. - For a fresh taste, substitute lime juice with lemon juice. By choosing your ingredients wisely, you can create a soup that’s perfect for you. For the full recipe, check out the details in the recipe section. First, gather all your ingredients. You will need olive oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño, spices, chicken broth, tomatoes, black beans, chicken, corn, lime, and garnishes. This makes the cooking easy and quick. 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to turn soft and fragrant. 2. Next, add the garlic, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally until the veggies soften. 3. Sprinkle in the cumin and smoked paprika. Stir for about one minute. The spices should smell great now. 4. Carefully pour in the chicken broth. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. Then, add the diced tomatoes, black beans, chicken, and corn. Mix well and bring to a boil. 5. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and deepen. 6. After simmering, season with salt and pepper. Squeeze in the lime juice for a fresh taste. Ladle the hot soup into colorful bowls. Top each bowl with crispy tortilla strips and some chopped cilantro. You can also add avocado slices for creaminess. Serve immediately and enjoy! For the full recipe, check the details above. To boost the flavor of your chicken tortilla soup, use fresh ingredients. Fresh herbs, like cilantro, add a bright taste. When cooking, choose high-quality broth. Homemade broth is best, but store-bought works fine. Adding lime juice at the end brightens the soup. Try to squeeze the lime just before serving. This keeps the flavor fresh and zesty. For the best texture, cut your veggies into even pieces. This way, they cook evenly. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps it mix well with other ingredients. Simmer the soup gently to blend the flavors. A gentle bubble is perfect. Avoid boiling hard, as this can make the soup cloudy. A good garnish makes your soup look great. Use crispy tortilla strips for crunch. Add chopped cilantro for color and flavor. You can also slice avocado for creaminess. A lime wedge on the side adds flair. Serve in colorful bowls to make it pop! For more ideas, check out the full recipe for inspiration! {{image_4}} Swap the chicken for hearty beans. You can use black beans or pinto beans. Add more veggies like zucchini and bell peppers. For a richer flavor, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This way, you keep the soup tasty and satisfying. If you love heat, add more peppers. Try using serrano or habanero peppers for a kick. You can also toss in some crushed red pepper flakes. This variation will make your soup exciting and full of flavor. Just remember to adjust the other spices to balance the heat. For a creamy soup, stir in some heavy cream or sour cream. This will give the soup a rich texture. You can also add cream cheese for extra creaminess. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a smooth and velvety soup. Just mix it in right before serving for the best results. For the complete recipe and more details, check out the Full Recipe. After enjoying your chicken tortilla soup, let it cool. Pour the soup into airtight containers. This helps keep it fresh. Store the soup in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure the lid is on tight to prevent spills. If you want to keep the soup longer, freezing is a great option. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. Divide the soup into portions for easy serving later. Label the bags with the date. You can freeze the soup for up to three months. Just remember to leave some space in the container for the soup to expand as it freezes. When you’re ready to eat the soup again, reheating is key. For the best taste, use a pot on the stove. Heat the soup over medium heat, stirring often. This helps keep it smooth. If you need to use the microwave, place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in short bursts, about one minute at a time. Stir in between to ensure even heating. Enjoy your tasty soup just like the first time! For the full recipe, check out my zesty chicken tortilla soup. If you don't have cooked chicken, you can use raw chicken. Just add it to the pot after the veggies. Cook it in the broth until it’s done. Shred the chicken before serving. This method keeps the soup fresh and flavorful. You can make this soup spicier by adding more jalapeños. You can also include chopped serrano peppers for extra heat. Another option is to sprinkle in cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Start with a small amount and taste as you go! Yes, you can use other beans. Great options are pinto beans or kidney beans. They both add a nice texture. Chickpeas are also a fun choice for a different flavor. Just make sure they are rinsed and drained. Absolutely! To make this soup in a slow cooker, simply add all ingredients, except lime juice and toppings, to the cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in lime juice before serving. It’s easy and delicious! For the full recipe, check out [Full Recipe]. We explored the key ingredients for chicken tortilla soup, focusing on the essentials and options for customization. I provided step-by-step instructions to make cooking easy and fun. We also covered tips to enhance flavor and texture, plus interesting variations to try. Lastly, I shared storage tips to keep leftovers fresh. Enjoy your homemade soup! Experiment with flavors and make it your own. Happy cooking!](https://tastymomrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/e0320c4a-b868-4ae9-9f67-35acb4563f51-250x250.webp)