Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable)

Comforting Mexican soup featuring tender chicken, roasted tomatoes, corn, and lime, topped with crispy tortilla strips.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
07 - 1 lime, juiced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Canned Goods

09 - 1 can (14 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1.5 teaspoons chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Tortilla Strips

17 - 4 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Optional Toppings

19 - Sliced avocado
20 - Shredded cheese
21 - Sour cream
22 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss tortilla strips with 1 tablespoon olive oil and spread on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
02 - In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Add chicken breasts, fire-roasted tomatoes with juice, corn, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Add lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaf.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips and desired toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The balance of spice, acid, and that textural crunch makes every bowl feel intentional and complete.
  • It's forgiving enough for beginners but interesting enough to cook again and again without boredom.
02 -
  • Don't skip simmering the soup uncovered, as this allows some of the liquid to reduce and concentrate the flavors rather than creating a watered down broth.
  • The tortilla strips must go on right before eating or they'll absorb broth and lose that essential crunch that makes the whole dish work.
  • Lime juice added at the end brightens everything in a way you can't achieve by adding it earlier, so resist the urge to rush this step.
03 -
  • Keep extra tortillas on hand and fry additional strips just before serving so you always have that contrast between hot soup and crispy texture.
  • If you're cooking for someone sensitive to heat, make the base without the jalapeño and let them add their own level of spice with hot sauce or fresh peppers at the table.
Go Back