Home / Soup / Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Shredded chicken simmers in a smoky tomato-chile broth, topped with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado for a bold, satisfying soup.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 SoupCategory
☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet

Chicken tortilla soup has roots in Mexican cuisine, particularly the Central Mexico region, where fried tortilla strips were traditionally used to thicken and add texture to a light tomato-chile broth. It became a beloved Tex-Mex and Southwestern American dish throughout the 20th century, popular for its bold flavors and satisfying toppings.

Bold, spicy, and topped with crispy tortilla strips

Shredded chicken simmers in a smoky tomato-chile broth, topped with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado for a bold, satisfying soup.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Simmer the chicken in the broth until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic, then add the tomatoes, chili powder, and cumin.
  4. Return the broth and shredded chicken to the pot along with the black beans and corn.
  5. Simmer 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  6. Serve topped with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Frying your own tortilla strips gives much better texture and flavor than store-bought chips. Add a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Rate this recipe

☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Sign in to rate this recipe.

Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings6
CategorySoup
PublishedAugust 12, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →