Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty recipe full of shredded chicken, corn, beans, and spices then topped with crunchy tortilla strips. This spicy soup is super simple to make by simply adding everything to a pot and letting it simmer. In 30 minutes you'll have a delicious meal for the entire family!
If you're looking for more one-pot meals, then check out this delicious Mexican Spaghetti, Cheesy Bacon Cauliflower Soup and Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons.
Now that winter season is in full effect, we could all use a warm bowl of something comforting and delicious. This Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a must-try during the colder months. Make a pot of this and you'll have enough to enjoy tonight as well as yummy leftovers.
The rich tomato base and chicken broth complement the shredded chicken and corn. I like for my soup to have a little kick so I upped the heat on this recipe by adding chipotle peppers in adobe sauce and extra cayenne. And who doesn't love that added crunch from freshly fried tortilla strips?
Of note, if you want to lessen the spice, you can reduce or omit the amount of cayenne pepper.
Tortilla soup is a traditional Mexican soup. It contains fried corn tortilla in a broth of tomato, garlic, onion, chile de árbol (Spanish for tree chili), and epazote (an herb).
Although there are many variations from the traditional soup recipe, all tortilla soups have a mix of chicken broth, tomatoes, and those crispy tortilla strips! (my favorite part)
Chicken Thighs: I used thighs over breasts because it's a juicier, more succulent meat.
Garlic and Onions: Freshly sliced and diced!
Seasonings: Paprika, Chili Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, and Ground Coriander.
Chicken Stock: Use your favorite brand as this is the base of your flavor.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: I highly recommend "fire-roasted" for a burst of smoky flavor.
Sweet Corn: This balances out the spiciness.
Black Beans: For added protein and texture.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Smoked and dried jalapeños rehydrated in a slightly sweet red sauce add spice and so much flavor!
Heavy Cream: If you want a thicker, creamier soup, this is a must! It also smooths out the spiciness of the soup to give it that cozy feel!
Tortilla Strips: Store-bought is fine but homemade is even better and super easy! Simply slice tortillas into thin strips and fry them. Add salt and chili powder to taste.
Now we're getting to the fun part. Get creative with toppings for this Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup! In addition to tortilla strips, here are some ideas:
Leftover tortilla soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You can freeze your leftovers too! Just allow the soup to cool before placing it in a Ziploc freezer-safe bag. It will last for up to 6 months!
When it's time to reheat, you can let it sit at room temperature until defrosted and then warm in a pot.
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This recipe was incredible! So flavorful and just enough spice to make it enjoyable but not too hot. I will definitely be making this again!
I'm so happy to hear this, thank you!
It tastes even better than it looks in the photos! Hard to beat a hot bowl of this soup on a cold day.
Thank you!
I'm always a bit scared when it comes to making tortilla soup but your recipe made things so simple. The soup came out delicious and I served it with all of the extra additions too.
This dish was a hit with the family! The seasonings brought in so much flavor and the sweet aroma is still lingering in the kitchen. My husband raved about the tenderness of the chicken and of course, the crunchy tortilla strips. Will be making this again.
I made my own tortilla strips thanks to your note. Never thought to do it before but you were right, it made such a difference in the soup. Delicious recipe thank you!
Wow! I can’t even say enough about how delicious this soup was! It was super hearty and filling, with the almost amazing flavors! My kids ate the whole pot in one sitting- so I’ll definitely be making it again soon!
Made this over the weekend because it's freezing and we needed soup. SO GOOD! I was surprised at how easy it was to make and the seasoning and heat level is just perfect. Don't skip the tortilla strips! The crunch just really takes it to the next level. Will definitely be making this again.
This was super fun to make and explosively flavorful to have! I am so happy you shared this!
Just what I have been looking for in a soup! I found this chicken tortilla soup amazing! All the flavors complimented each other so well, this is going to be on rotation in my family.
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know!
Chock full of vegetables and protein, this was the heartiest Tortilla Soup I have ever had. Incredible!
Thank you so much!