Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Carole Jones · 25 Comments

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Southwest Chicken Soup is my favorite easy dinner recipe that is loaded with all my favorite Mexican flavors: black beans, chicken, corn, and green chilis! If you love chicken tortilla soup as much as I do, then scroll on down to print this recipe. Oh, and did I mention your dinner will be ready in 15 minutes? I promise 🙂

It has been a miserable week when it comes to weather pretty much everywhere in the US. Here in Minnesota, we’ve had wind chills of -40 and as I type this, there is an extraordinarily nasty blizzard roaring outside my office window. I made the mistake of running to the grocery store a bit after the storm started and the 50 mph wind knocked me onto my rear end in the parking lot. Seriously!

To help me overcome the physical beating I took at the hands of the blizzard, I came home and made a big pot of our family’s favorite soup/ chili /stew. I grabbed my iPad to pull up the recipe from my blog and was shocked to see that after 7 years of blogging, I hadn’t posted this Southwest Chicken Soup recipe yet. It is honestly my favorite winter meal and I checkedthree times to be sure I hadn’t posted it.

I feel like I have cheated you all these years together. Please forgive me…

Not only is this Southwest Chicken Soup amazingly delicious, it is so simple to throw together. 15 minutes and you have perfect winter comfort in a bowl. I love mine with crushed up tortilla chips in it as well as all those yummy toppings!

Looking for another great Southwest recipe? How about my Southwest Chicken Quesadillas in 10 minutes or less?

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Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (4)

Southwest Chicken Soup

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4 from 2 reviews

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An easy chicken tortilla soup recipe that is loaded with all your favorite Mexican flavors!

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tb oil
  • 215 ounce cans chicken broth
  • 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • 7 ounce can diced green chilis
  • 2 rounded tsp chili powder
  • 1 rounded tsp oregano
  • 2 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
  • Optional toppings: cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream and tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. 1. In a large pot heated over high heat, add the oil, onion and garlic. Sauté until the onions soften. Add the broth, tomatoes, chilis and seasonings. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add the beans, corn and chicken then simmer for 5 minutes before serving with cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream and tortilla chips.
  • Author: Carole Jones
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove top
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 th
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 1348 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 51 mg
Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (5)

About Carole Jones

Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claire @ The Simple, Sweet Life says

    This looks delicious and perfect for all the cold weather we’ve been having here lately! Can’t wait to try your recipe!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (6)Carole says

      Thanks for stopping by Claire! Carole

      Reply

  2. Mary | chattavore says

    This looks delicious! Perfect for a cold night when I’m short on time!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (7)Carole says

      Thanks Mary

      Reply

  3. Melissa Taylor says

    BRRR!! This looks yummy – hope it helps you stay warm. 🙂

    Reply

  4. Ali A says

    Ah! I’ve been looking for a new chili recipe since I make the same one over and over again! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (8)Carole says

      Thanks Ali

      Reply

  5. Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says

    Im ALL about some chili! And i can totally see my self cozying up to this bowl!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (9)Carole says

      It is so perfect if you love those southwest flavors Amanda! -Carole

      Reply

  6. Marcy says

    This looks great, and I love chili when it’s so cold outside.

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (10)Carole says

      Thanks for hopping over to say so Marcy! – Carole

      Reply

  7. Sheila Reese says

    Looks delicious! Also, your photos are terrific!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (11)Carole says

      Thanks Sheila!

      Reply

  8. Olivia says

    This was bland. I was expecting far more spicy and full of flavor. This however was not.

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (12)Carole says

      Thanks Olivia. Feel free to add more spices to make it work for you!

      Reply

    • Renee says

      I agree. I added some homemade taco seasoning and ground up some coriander with mortar 1/8 tsp. May even open a jar of my salsa.

      Reply

      • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (13)Carole says

        Thanks for your feedback Renee!

        Reply

  9. Kendall says

    This sounds really good. I want to give it a try this fall. I’m wondering if you have tried it as a slow cooker recipe? Would you just toss all ingredients in and set to low 6-8hrs? Start with raw chicken breasts? As for the flavor, kosher salt, cyanne pepper, smoked paprika, extra cumin, and a can or two of Rotel in place of diced tomatoes and chilies would certainly liven it up. To thicken it up, I would include a can of tomato paste and an extra can of chili beans (but that’s just me). Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (14)Carole says

      Hi Kendall! I’ve never made it in a crock pot. I always make this when I have leftover chicken in the fridge and it all comes together so quickly on the stove that it only takes a few minutes. Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply

  10. Anna says

    I increased spices added a whole diced bell pepper and a diced jalapeño and 1 teaspoon of comino Delicious and quick.

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (15)Carole says

      I like your variation Anna!

      Reply

  11. Doreen says

    I made this chili but I tweaked it quite a bit if you like your chili thick like I do do not add all of that chicken broth I also added a small can of tomato sauce and a packet of chili seasoning instead of the chili powder it’s just easy because everything is in there. I also added all the liquid with the black beans to make it thick. It came out great!

    Reply

    • Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (16)Carole says

      Thanks for sharing your version Doreen!

      Reply

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Southwest Chicken Soup | Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does chicken tortilla soup contain? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

How do you thicken tortilla soup broth? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken chicken tortilla soup. To do so, create a slurry by combining equal parts flour and cold water. Whisk the slurry into the soup gradually, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness is achieved.

How to make chicken soup without drying out the chicken? ›

Cold-poaching the chicken breasts, then removing them until the end of the cooking process, guarantees a perfectly tender and juicy texture. Using stock reinforces the flavor of the broth, creating a more deeply flavorful soup.

How to make chicken tortilla soup less spicy? ›

Adding any or all of the following ingredients can help reduce the heat:
  1. Something sweet (sugar, honey, etc.)
  2. More liquid (water or broth)
  3. Something starchy (like potatoes, rice, or pasta)
  4. Something acidic (tomatoes, wine, citrus, etc.)
  5. Dairy (yogurt, sour cream, milk, cheese)
Dec 9, 2022

What goes good with chicken tortilla soup? ›

Chicken and tortilla soup goes well with corn tortillas, a simple side salad made from lettuce tomatoes and avocadoes. This soup is hearty enough to be a meal. If you are looking for a drink to match perhaps a glass of tamarind juice. Perhaps you can add a glass of California's sauvignon blanc to the experience.

What to eat on the side of chicken tortilla soup? ›

You can enjoy tortilla soup with many things, like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Mexican rice, chips with guacamole, roasted corn, black beans, and Mexican cornbread are also good choices.

How do you make broth more creamy? ›

You can easily add coconut milk to your broth to get that craveable creamy texture. Stir it in at the very end and let it simmer for a short period of time.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

What can I add to soup to make it thinner? ›

Add more liquid: The simplest solution is to add more liquid, such as water, broth, or milk. Start by adding a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency. Use a blender: If you have a blender, you can puree the soup in batches, adding more liquid as needed.

What can I use if I don't have enough chicken broth for soup? ›

Fortunately, we're here to let you in on a game-changing secret: Water makes a more than acceptable replacement for chicken stock in most soups, stews, sauces, and braises. And in many cases, water actually produces a better-tasting result.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in soup? ›

You can cook the chicken at a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria by turning up the heat on the broth, but for a much safer and tastier method, brown your chicken first. Browning or searing the chicken in a separate pan is not only far more foolproof, but adds richness and extra umami to your soup.

Can I use chicken broth instead of water for chicken soup? ›

Light, thin, and full of flavor, broth tastes good on its own or as a base for all kinds of soup. We like to use it as a substitute for water when we're making rice, stew, or polenta. While we always prefer homemade broth, boxed or canned broth is an economical shortcut that's handy to retrieve from the pantry.

Why does my chicken tortilla soup taste bland? ›

Using too little seasoning

Reaching for something spicy without much distinct flavor, like cayenne, will result in a bland and spicy broth. Earthy spices like cumin and coriander are aromatic but not spicy. Chili powder is a blend that skews more flavorful than spicy, especially if you craft your own.

How do you tone down spice in tortilla soup? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

Does chicken tortilla soup contain gluten? ›

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

It's loaded with veggies and protein, plus it's naturally gluten free and dairy free!

What is sopa de tortilla made of? ›

Sopa de tortilla is a Mexican soup featuring corn tortilla strips served in a chicken broth seasoned with tomatoes and pasilla chiles. It's garnished with avocado, Mexican cheese, and crema.

What is chicken soup made from? ›

Chicken soup is a soup made from chicken, simmered in water, usually with various other ingredients. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear chicken broth, often with pieces of chicken or vegetables; common additions are pasta, noodles, dumplings, or carrots, and grains such as rice and barley.

Does chicken tortilla soup have a lot of protein? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a protein-rich dish, thanks to the inclusion of chicken as the main ingredient. A serving typically provides around 15-20 grams of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.

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