Pin it
Let me share my favorite cozy soup that brings the warmth of Mexican flavors right to your kitchen! After years of ordering tortilla soup at restaurants I finally perfected my own version at home. That rich tomato broth loaded with tender chicken crispy tortilla strips and all those fresh toppings is pure comfort in a bowl. The first time I served this my spice-loving husband said it was better than our local Mexican restaurant!
Why This Recipe Works Magic
This isn't just another chicken soup! That perfect blend of spices fresh vegetables and two kinds of toppings creates layers of amazing flavor and texture. Last weekend when I made this for our neighbors during the cold snap everyone asked for the recipe. Even my kids who usually shy away from spicy foods love building their own topping combinations!
What You'll Need
- For The Soup Base:
- Good olive oil
- Fresh onion and garlic
- Jalapeño if you like heat
- Chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken
- Canned tomatoes with chilies
- Black beans and corn
- Rich chicken broth
- Your favorite Mexican spices
- For Those Amazing Toppings:
- Corn tortillas for strips
- Fresh lime wedges
- Creamy avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Plenty of fresh cilantro
Let's Start Cooking
- Building Our Base
- First let's get those aromatics going! Sautéing onion garlic and jalapeño in olive oil fills your kitchen with the most incredible smell. My family always starts wandering in asking when dinner will be ready!
- Creating The Broth
- Adding our spices tomatoes and broth creates this beautiful rich base. When we drop in the chicken to simmer it starts absorbing all those amazing flavors. The hardest part is waiting while everything comes together!
- Making Those Crispy Strips
- While the soup simmers we'll make our tortilla strips either fried or baked they add the perfect crunch. My kids love helping cut the tortillas they call it making confetti!
Pin it
Making It Perfect
Want to know my secrets for the best tortilla soup? Don't skip toasting those spices with the vegetables it wakes up all their flavor! Shred your chicken while it's still warm it soaks up more broth that way. And here's my favorite tip make extra tortilla strips they're absolutely irresistible for snacking!
Serving It Up
The best part about this soup is the topping bar! I love setting out all the fixings and letting everyone build their perfect bowl. Some like it loaded with cheese and sour cream others keep it simple with just avocado and lime. For parties I keep the soup warm in the slow cooker so people can help themselves all evening!
Saving Some For Later
This soup actually gets better the next day! All those flavors have time to get friendly together. I often make a double batch and freeze portions without the toppings perfect for busy weeknights. Just thaw reheat and add fresh toppings it's like having a homemade soup ready whenever you need it!
Mix It Up
Don't be afraid to make this recipe your own! Sometimes I'll add extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers. My spice-loving son adds extra jalapeños to his bowl. Once I made it with leftover turkey instead of chicken absolutely delicious! That's what makes cooking fun finding your perfect combination.
Pin it
Why This Recipe Matters
This soup has become our family's cozy weather tradition! There's something so satisfying about creating restaurant favorites at home especially when they turn out even better. My kids are learning about building flavors watching how each ingredient adds its own special touch.
The best part isn't just how delicious it is it's seeing everyone gather around the topping bar customizing their perfect bowl! Whether you're making it for a casual family dinner or a gathering of friends this soup never disappoints. And watching people discover they can make restaurant-quality Mexican food at home? That's what makes cooking so rewarding!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use store-bought tortilla strips?
- Yes, you can use store-bought strips to save time, though homemade ones are crispier and fresher. You can also use crushed tortilla chips.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken?
- Yes, use about 2-3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Add it near the end of cooking since it's already cooked.
- → How long will this soup keep?
- The soup keeps for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store tortilla strips separately to maintain their crunch.
- → Can I freeze this soup?
- Yes, freeze the soup without toppings for up to 3 months. Make fresh tortilla strips and add fresh avocado when serving.
- → How can I adjust the spiciness?
- Adjust heat by keeping or removing jalapeño seeds, using more or less chili powder, or adding hot sauce at the end.