Cozy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe for Rainy Nights

Steaming bowls of this creamy chicken tortilla soup have been tantalizing taste buds across kitchens.

The rich, velvety broth swirls with tender chicken and vibrant spices that dance on your palate.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of Mexican-inspired flavors that comfort and excite.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey through layers of warmth and depth.

Crisp tortilla strips add a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the smooth soup base.

Packed with protein and bursting with zesty seasonings, this recipe transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this soul-warming soup.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tortilla Soup

• Easily adjust the heat from mild to wild by controlling jalapeño seeds and hot sauce amounts, making this soup perfect for every heat preference.
• Minimal chopping and one-pot cooking method means you'll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delicious, comforting meal.
• Packed with hearty chicken, beans, and creamy cheese, this soup satisfies hunger and delivers bold, rich flavors that appeal to both kids and adults.
• Perfect for busy families, this recipe comes together quickly, requires minimal ingredients, and provides a complete, nutritious meal in a single pot.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Chicken Breasts: The star ingredient that provides hearty protein and tender texture to the soup.

• Onion, Jalapeño, Garlic: These ingredients create a robust and fragrant foundation that builds depth of flavor in the soup.

• Chicken Broth: Provides the essential liquid base that carries all the soup's flavors.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a zesty tomato element with a hint of green chilies.

• Black Beans, Corn: Contribute texture, additional protein, and a satisfying bite to the soup.

• Taco Seasoning, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Hot Sauce: These spices create a bold and complex flavor profile with adjustable heat levels.

• Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Transform the soup into a rich and luxurious dish with smooth, melted cheesiness.

• Butter: Provides a rich base for sautéing aromatics and adds depth to the overall flavor.

• Tomato Paste: Enhances the soup's color and adds a concentrated tomato flavor.

Simple Instructions for Creamy Tortilla Soup

Step 1: Awaken the Aromatic Base

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté diced onions and jalapeños until they become soft and release their incredible fragrance.

Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

For those who love a spicy kick, keep the jalapeño seeds; for a milder version, remove them before chopping.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Foundation

• Corn
• Black beans
• Rotel tomatoes
• Chicken broth

• Tomato paste
• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Taco seasoning
• Hot sauce (optional)

Mix everything thoroughly to create a rich, complex flavor profile.

Step 3: Gently Poach the Chicken

Carefully place chicken breasts into the simmering broth.

Allow the soup to cook slowly for 20-25 minutes.

Maintain a gentle simmer, avoiding a rolling boil to keep the chicken tender and moist.

Step 4: Transform the Chicken

Remove the cooked chicken from the pot.

Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Return the shredded chicken to the soup, stirring to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Create Creamy Perfection

Reduce heat to low.

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Softened cream cheese

Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely, creating a smooth and luxurious texture.

Step 6: Personalize Your Soup

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings to your preference.

Feel free to add more taco seasoning, cayenne, or hot sauce to dial up the flavor intensity.

This is your moment to make the soup uniquely yours!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the creamy soup into bowls.

Top with your favorite garnishes.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Creamy Tortilla Flavor

• Customize the heat by controlling jalapeño seeds and hot sauce amounts, ensuring everyone's comfort with the soup's spiciness.
• Shred cheese finely and add gradually while stirring to prevent clumping and create a smooth, velvety texture in the soup.
• Simmer chicken slowly at low heat to maintain moisture and prevent toughening, resulting in perfectly soft, shreddable meat.
• Sauté aromatics first to develop a rich, deep flavor foundation before adding other ingredients, enhancing overall taste profile.
• Swap dairy for lactose-free cheese and use gluten-free taco seasoning to make the soup suitable for people with dietary restrictions.

How to Store and Reheat Tortilla Soup

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors and maintain freshness.
• Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid adding dairy before freezing to prevent separation.
• Pour desired portion into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature to ensure soup is steaming hot throughout.
• Pour soup into saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick. Warm until heated completely, about 5-7 minutes.

Pairing Picks for Creamy Tortilla Soup

• Enhance Flavor Pairing: Choose crisp, light Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona to cut through the soup's creamy richness and complement its spicy undertones.
• Cool Down Companion: Serve a fresh cilantro-lime coleslaw alongside the soup, offering a crunchy, tangy contrast that balances the soup's warm, creamy texture.
• Texture Touchdown: Top the soup with crispy tortilla strips or homemade corn tortilla chips, adding a satisfying crunch that elevates each spoonful and provides textural excitement.
• Refreshing Counterpoint: Prepare a zesty avocado-cucumber salsa as a side, bringing bright, cool elements that refresh the palate between hearty spoonfuls of the rich soup.

Creative Spins on Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream and cheddar cheese with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a creamy, vegan-friendly version that maintains rich flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap corn and black beans with cauliflower and zucchini chunks to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the soup's hearty texture.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternative, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a protein-packed meat-free meal.
• Instant Pot Express: Convert the recipe for pressure cooking by adding all ingredients simultaneously and cooking on high pressure for 10 minutes, then quick-releasing and shredding chicken.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can swap cheddar with monterey jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for variety while maintaining a similar creamy texture.

• Is this soup spicy?

The heat level is customizable. By adjusting jalapeño seeds, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce, you can make it mild or extra spicy according to your preference.

• How can I make this soup more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the simmering stage to boost nutritional value without compromising the soup’s flavor profile.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Combine all ingredients except cheese in a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours, shred chicken, then stir in cheeses before serving for an equally delicious result.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican culinary magic shines in this creamy chicken tortilla soup, blending rich flavors with comforting textures. Spicy, hearty broth and tender chicken create a soul-warming dish you’ll crave on chilly nights.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups shredded chicken
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 12 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 15 oz. can corn, drained
• 1 10 oz. can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 12 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 oz. packet taco seasoning, about 3 tablespoons
• 1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
• Corn or flour tortillas, see notes

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Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics in a large pot over medium heat. Melt butter, then add diced onion and jalapeño. Cook for 4 minutes until softened. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to develop a robust flavor foundation. For milder heat, remove jalapeño seeds.

1. Combine bulk ingredients into the pot. Add drained corn, black beans, Rotel tomatoes, and chicken broth. Mix in tomato paste, cumin, cayenne pepper, taco seasoning, and optional hot sauce. Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning initially, allowing flexibility for flavor adjustment.

1. Submerge chicken breasts into the broth. Simmer gently for 20-25 minutes at low heat. Avoid boiling to prevent meat from becoming tough. Ensure chicken is fully cooked through without losing moisture.

1. Extract chicken from the pot. Shred meat using two forks, then return shredded chicken back into the soup. Stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.

1. Create creamy texture by reducing heat. Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar and softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, transforming broth into a smooth, velvety consistency.

1. Perform final flavor calibration. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Modify spice levels by adding extra taco seasoning, cayenne, or hot sauce to personal preference.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by controlling jalapeño seeds for milder or bolder heat profiles.
• Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie or leftover chicken to reduce cooking time and add convenience.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting cream cheese and cheddar with coconut cream and nutritional yeast for similar creamy texture.
• Consider using low-sodium broth and taco seasoning to manage salt intake without compromising flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg