Delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 07/27/19
Chicken tortilla soup in bowl on table
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Make this easy soup even easier with purchased tortilla chips or the tortilla strip salad toppings you can find in the salad dressing aisle.

The soup makes a fabulous lunch or dinner soup, and it's an especially nice choice for cooler weather meals.

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) tomatoes (diced; with juice)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh from 1 lime)
  • Optional: 1/2 jalapeno pepper (finely chopped)
  • 1 can (4 ounces) green chiles (undrained)
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
  • 2 green onions (with most of the green, chopped)
  • 1 medium carrot (diced)
  • 3/4 cup corn (frozen, fresh, or canned and drained)
  • 1 cup chicken (cooked, chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Optional: kosher salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (more or less as needed for frying)
  • 3 corn tortillas (cut into strips about 1/2-inch wide or purchased corn tortilla chips or strips)
  • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded or a shredded Mexican blend)

Steps to Make It

  1. Combine the chicken stock with tomatoes, lime juice, jalapeno, green chiles, cilantro, green onion, carrots, and corn in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.

  2. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat for 45 minutes.

  3. Add the chopped chicken about 5 minutes before done. Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  4. When the soup is almost ready, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to approximately 360 F.

  5. Cook tortilla strips in batches until crispy–just a few seconds for each batch.

  6. Top each bowl of soup with tortilla strips and shredded cheese or serve on the side.