Chicken Tortilla Soup

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One of my very favorite light soups to make is chicken tortilla soup. It’s simple, easy and frankly tastes so amazing, I can eat it as a whole meal.

And it’s great for more than chilly nights–it’s the perfect summer soup because of the light broth and lime flavor. Definitely on my list of top 10 best chicken recipes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup in a blue bowl on a white table next to a bowl of jalapeno slices and lime slices on a red cloth

Seriously, this a chicken recipe that’s so rich in flavor, but so quick to make, it’s a great lunch recipe–and it even travels great! So, if you’re into meal planning, you can make a big batch and have meals for days!

a spoon of Chicken Tortilla Soup above more in a blue bowl on a white table next to a bowl of jalapeno slices and lime slices on a red cloth

What You Need to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

Like I said, this easy tortilla soup with chicken is so simple, it falls into the category of no-fail chicken recipes for me. Seriously, just about anyone can make a big pot of chicken tortilla soup, as long as you can follow some basic cooking instructions. Here’s what you need:

  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs and leg meat, deboned (so about 2 lbs bone-in)
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1/2 onion
  • Green onion
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 can corn (undrained)
  • Cheese and tortilla chips for garnish
Chicken Tortilla Soup in a blue bowl on a white table next to a bowl of jalapeno slices and lime slices on a red cloth

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

Step 1

Now, you can use canned chicken and make chicken broth with bullion, if you want, but I like to make chicken tortilla soup from scratch. To do this, you just debone your chicken, then put it in a pot to boil with the 6 cups of water.

a person using a knife to de-bone chicken on a cutting board

Step 2

After your chicken is boiled, I like to remove it from the broth and use my hand mixer to shred it. This Is going to make some small, perfect bite-sized chunks.

a mixer being used to shred chicken in a glass bowl

Step 3

Chop onions and bell pepper.

a knife being used to chop onions

Step 4

Add chicken to the broth and place the pot over medium heat.

chicken being added to broth in a pot

Step 5

Add the bell pepper, onion and corn to the pot and bring to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn off the heat.

a hand adding bell pepper to chicken tortilla soup in a pot

Step 6

Slice your green onions and add them to the soup.

a knife chopping green onions on a white cutting board

Step 7

Just prior to serving, add tortilla chips and cheese for garnish then enjoy!

a hand adding tortilla chips to a pot of chicken tortilla soup

More Easy Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

If you love this easy chicken recipe, but you’re not quite ready to bust out your cutting board, just pin this to your favorite easy Mexican recipes board on Pinterest so you can find it quick later!

a collage of Chicken Tortilla Soup in a blue bowl on a white table next to a bowl of jalapeno slices and lime slices on a red cloth with title text reading Chicken Tortilla Soup
Yield: 8 Servings Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This easy recipe for homemade chicken tortilla soup is a perfect summer soup choice--so light and airy, you're definitely going to love it.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs and leg meat, deboned (so about 2 lbs bone-in)
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1/2 onion
  • Green onion
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 can corn (undrained)

Instructions

  1. Debone your chicken, then put it in a pot to boil with the 6 cups of water.
  2. Remove the chicken from the broth and use a hand mixer to shred it.
  3. Chop onions and bell pepper.
  4. Add chicken to the broth and place the pot over medium heat.
  5. Add the bell pepper, onion and corn to the pot and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, turn off the heat.
  6. Slice your green onions and add them to the soup.
  7. Just prior to serving, add tortilla chips and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 699mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 33g

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