Chicken Tortilla Soup is the perfect easy weeknight dinner. Full of shredded chicken, corn, beans, and homemade tortilla strips, this soup is a meal in itself. It’s comforting, hearty, and filling.
What’s even better? Just like our Taco Soup and Beef Chili, this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe comes together in one pot.
Chicken tortilla soup is one of those crowd-pleasing recipes that everyone loves It’s warm, comforting, filling and packs a punch of flavor Gaby Dalkin’s version from What’s Gaby Cooking takes this classic soup to the next level. Her recipe results in a chicken tortilla soup that is smooth, creamy and full of delicious spices and flavors. Keep reading to learn why Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup should be your new go-to recipe!
Why Gaby’s Chicken Tortilla Soup is So Good
There are a few main things that make Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup recipe stand out:
Carefully Chosen Spices
Gaby mixes spices like chipotle pepper, oregano, cumin, and garlic so that they go well with the chicken and tomatoes. This spice blend adds warmth, smokiness, and depth of flavor.
Blending the Base
Many chicken tortilla soup recipes result in a very chunky, tomato-forward broth Gaby cleverly uses an immersion blender to puree the aromatic vegetables, tomatoes and broth into a smooth, creamy base before adding back in the chicken, corn and beans This extra step makes a huge difference in the final texture and flavor.
Flavorful Extras
The garnishes are what take this soup over the top. Gaby puts fresh shredded cheese, avocado cubes, cilantro, tortilla strips, lime juice, and jalapenos on top of each bowl. It’s spicy, creamy, crunchy, and sour all at the same time in this soup.
Rave Reviews
With over 100 five-star ratings, it’s clear that Gaby’s recipe for chicken tortilla soup is a winner. People love the complex flavors and how easy it is to make. Many say it’s their new favorite chicken tortilla soup recipe.
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup comes together in just 6 easy steps:
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Gaby starts by sautéing onion, garlic, and jalapeño to make a base that is full of flavor.
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Simmer the broth: Next, she simmers tomatoes, chicken broth and spices like cumin, oregano and chipotle pepper to infuse the broth with flavor.
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Blend the base: This is the secret step! Gaby uses an immersion blender to puree the broth into a smooth, creamy consistency.
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Add the chicken and veggies: Shredded chicken, corn and black beans are stirred in for texture and substance.
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Make the toppings: While the soup simmers, Gaby fries up crispy tortilla strips for crunch.
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Finish and serve: Finally, she tops each bowl with cheese, avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips, lime juice and sliced jalapeños for a flavor and texture explosion!
With just 20 minutes of active cooking time, Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup goes from stove to table in just 40 minutes total. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but feels special enough for company.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
Here are a few of Gaby’s tips for getting the most flavor out of this chicken tortilla soup recipe:
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Sweat the onions, garlic and jalapeños to build a strong flavor base.
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Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting.
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Add a squeeze of lime juice right before serving to brighten up the flavors.
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Use a stand mixer to shred chicken in seconds for easy homemade shredded chicken.
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Play around with different garnishes like avocado, Greek yogurt, queso fresco, cilantro or crispy bacon.
How to Store and Freeze Chicken Tortilla Soup
Leftover chicken tortilla soup will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. It also freezes beautifully for up to 4-5 months. To freeze, let the soup cool completely then transfer to freezer bags or containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Delicious Chicken Soup Recipes from What’s Gaby Cooking
If you love Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup, be sure to try some of her other amazing chicken soup recipes:
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Chicken Posole – This Mexican hominy and chicken stew is out of this world.
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Chicken Chili Verde – A spicy, flavorful green chili made with tomatillos and poblanos.
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White Chicken Chili – A lighter chili made with white beans, chicken and zesty spices.
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Turkey Tortilla Soup – For a lower calorie, post-Thanksgiving twist.
Make Gaby’s Famous Chicken Tortilla Soup
If you’re looking for a creamy, comforting chicken tortilla soup that’s loaded with flavor, look no further than Gaby’s recipe. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have this crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex favorite on the dinner table in 40 minutes flat. The smooth, spicy broth, tender chicken and abundance of toppings like cheese, avocado and cilantro make this chicken tortilla soup simply unforgettable. Head to the kitchen and whip up a batch today! Your family will thank you.
Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup:
Chicken tortilla soup is like a taco in soup form. Its rich tomato and chicken broth pairs perfectly with chunky veggies, shredded chicken, beans and sweet corn.
Plus a healthy amount of cheese and tortilla strips on top. You can also serve this dish with soft dinner rolls.
To Make Crispy Tortilla Strips:
- For pan frying, heat a pan over medium-high heat with 1/4 cup of oil. Eight six-inch corn tortillas should be cut into thin strips. They should then be fried in two batches, adding more oil as needed. Take it out of the pot and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- To bake, add the tortilla strips to a bowl and coat them well with 2 tablespoons of oil. Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350˺F for 15 minutes.
The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Ever
FAQ
What to add to chicken tortilla soup to make it taste better?
The tomato-based broth tastes better with cumin, poblano peppers, and cilantro stems, as well as spices like ancho chili powder and cumin.
Is chicken tortilla soup healthy?
Yes, chicken tortilla soup can be a healthy and nutritious meal. It is often packed with lean protein from the chicken and vegetables, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
What’s in Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup?
Chicken breast shreds, navy beans, and black beans in a white, creamy soup base with just the right amount of vegetables and heat. Topped off with seasoned corn tortilla strips.
Is chicken tortilla soup easy to make?
This Chicken Tortilla Soup is almost dump and run for the ideal easy weeknight dinner or fabulous for crowds. It’s warm and comforting, hearty, savory, filling, and healthy, requires minimal effort (seriously one of the easiest soups you will ever make) and is destined to become a new family favorite!.
How do you cook chicken tortilla soup?
Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add all remaining Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients (except ADD LATER). Cover soup and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer over medium-low (or low if your stove runs hot).
How do you make chicken soup with a crock pot?
The soup starts with sautéeing onion, garlic, and jalapeño until softened, then simmering it with a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and chicken broth for 30 minutes. Blend the soup in a stand blender and then pour it back into the pot. You can also use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it is smooth in the pot.