The most perfect chicken tortilla soup you'll ever make! Inspired by Cafe Terra Cotta (who used to make the most perfect tortilla soup in Tucson, AZ), you'll never make another recipe ever again!
Recipe by Gaby Dalkin on March 5, 2025
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT30M
Total time: PT40M
Rating
4.92 stars (112 reviews)
Keywords
mexican, chicken, tortilla, soup
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion (roughly chopped)
3-4 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper (stem and seeds removed and roughly chopped)
kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1 14- ounce can fire roasted tomatoes and green chiles
3 cups chicken stock
¾ cup black beans
¾ cup frozen corn
1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
shredded cheese - colby jack / monterey jack / pepper jack (your choice)
quartered limes
cubed avocado
cilantro
sliced green onions
2 small corn tortillas (cut into thin strips)
sliced jalapenos
Categories
Soup
Dinner
Lunch
Cuisine
Mexican
Tex Mex
Southwestern
Steps
Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno and sauté for until the onion is translucent and the jalapeno softens. Season with the salt, pepper, dried oregano, cumin and chipotle pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spices toast.
Add the fire roasted tomatoes and the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add black beans, corn and shredded chicken.
Divide the soup into 4 bowls and top with cheese, avocado, cilantro and crisp tortilla strips. Add extra lime juice if desired and/or jalapeno slices. Serve immediately.
To make the tortilla strips: In a small skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Once hot, add the tortilla strips in a single layer, frying quickly for about 30-45 seconds, flipping them once to ensure both sides get crisp. Remove the tortillas once crisp with a pair of tongs and transfer them to a paper towel lined plate to dry.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 277 kcal
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 21 g
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Trans Fat: 0.01 g
Cholesterol: 37 mg
Sodium: 554 mg
Sugar: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Reviews
Maureen M on 2025-08-13 (5 stars): I loved how quick and easy it was to pull this recipe together, and surprised at the depth of flavor in such a short amount of time. I will definitely make more, I used about 6 cups of chicken broth just have additional services.
Cjaws on 2025-04-14 (5 stars): After I made it, I thought it was way too (hot) spicy. I refrigerated it for 2 days and when served, it was PERFECT!
Renee Clinton on 2025-03-13 (5 stars): So flavorful and such a quick and easy soup to put together! Perfect for lunch or dinner!
Linda Fierro on 2025-03-12 (5 stars): Hubby and I loved this soup. I didn’t use an immersion blender on it but will next time. Thanks for the recipe!
Clarissa Stuart on 2025-02-17 (5 stars): Kudos for this EXCELLENT recipe. Lots of recipes “out there” for Tortilla Soup. It was tough to choose which one to try, but WOW am I glad I chose yours. It’s friggin PERFECT! Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️
Lisa on 2025-01-27 (5 stars): Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Ever! So good and it hit the spot!!! 10/10
Katie on 2025-01-11 (5 stars): One of my favorite winter soups!
Zaida on 2025-01-09 (5 stars): Here in Tucson for the month and it's cold. Decided to make this soup for my husband and I and he said it was the best chicken tortilla soup he's ever had. Better than what he's had in restaurants. We're staying at a rental and they didn't have a blender or food processer so we had to leave it chunky. Excellent recipe Gaby!
Sarah King on 2025-01-04 (5 stars): Super easy and quick soup with fantastic flavor. Served with empanadas for a family holiday gathering and it was a huge hit! Currently on the stove for round two - great option for using leftover rotisserie chicken.
Jan Bussman on 2024-11-07 (5 stars): Next time I will double this and freeze the leftovers. I had more chicken, beans and corn than the recipe called for.
Sandie Pietz on 2024-10-21 (5 stars): This recipe was great recipe! I did add a little celery and a carrot to the saute. The flavor was soooooo good!