This Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe is ready in just 20 minutes! It’s loaded with chicken, beans, corn, melty Cheddar, and crunchy tortilla strips for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Author’s Notes
Soup + Something to Dunk!
It’s no secret I love soups. I’ve shared dozens of recipes over the years, and once the cold weather sets in, it’s all I want to make. My kids don’t complain either. Every single one of them LOVES soup. They just need something to dunk in it. Sometimes it’s a quick no-knead bread I throw together, and other times it’s store-bought rolls if I’m short on time.
With this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe, we switch it up. The kids get tortilla chips, and my husband and I top it with tortilla strips. It’s always a huge hit, and my whole family is obsessed with this recipe.
I love that it’s quick enough for those extra busy nights when I don’t have time for a more involved soup.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Helpful Info & Tips |
|---|---|
| Onion & Garlic | Use fresh, pre-diced, or frozen onion to save time. Jarred minced garlic works great too. You can also skip the onion if preferred. |
| Beans | A mix of chili beans and black beans gives flavor and texture. Drain and rinse the black beans but keep the chili beans with their sauce. |
| Corn & Tomatoes | Fire-roasted tomatoes and corn make this soup rich and smoky without extra work. |
| Stock & Seasonings | Use a good chicken stock for richer flavor. Paprika, cumin, and chili powder build depth. |
| Dairy & Chicken | Soften cream cheese so it blends smoothly. Shred Cheddar from a block for best melt. Pre-shredded rotisserie chicken is the quickest option! |
Storage
This chicken tortilla soup recipe stores in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a pot on low until warmed through.
Freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw in the fridge and then reheat on the stove before serving.
Featured Comment
“Absolutely DELICIOUS!!! 😋 The whole family loved it!! Will definitely be making this recipe again!!”
– Audra
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Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup diced yellow onion optional—see note 1
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic jarred
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce I use mild Old El Paso
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chiles added, undrained
- 1 (16-ounce) can chili beans in mild sauce
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1-1/2 cups frozen corn I like fire-roasted
- 3-1/4 cups chicken stock or broth
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- Salt and pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese full-fat, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese freshly shredded, see note 2
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken like rotisserie, see note 3
- Toppings as desired see note 4
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onion for 3–5 minutes.
- Increase heat to high. Add garlic, enchilada sauce, undrained tomatoes, undrained chili beans, drained & rinsed black beans, corn, and chicken stock. As the soup comes to a boil, stir in paprika, cumin, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix well.
- Microwave cream cheese until very soft, about 1 minute. When the soup boils, briskly whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Remove from heat and switch to a wooden spoon. Stir in Cheddar, a handful at a time, until melted. Add the shredded chicken and stir until heated through.
- Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips, sour cream, avocado, lime, or fresh cilantro.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chicken Tortilla Soup FAQs
The soup thickens as it cools. For a chili-like consistency, use only 2 cups of chicken stock.
Add all ingredients except cream cheese and cheddar to the Crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in cream cheese 30 minutes before serving, then add Cheddar until melted. Check seasoning and ensure the chicken is cooked through. Serve hot.
Quick Tip
To make your own baked tortilla strips: Slice 2-3 stacked tortillas into 1/2-inch strips, and place them on a parchment-lined sheet. Toss with oil, salt, and pepper. Bake until golden, turning once, about 7-10 minutes.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe: The Toppings
- Tortilla Chips: These can be crumbled on top or served on the side for added crunch.
- Avocado Slices or Guacamole: Adds such a nice creaminess to the soup.
- Sour Cream: Helps tame down the spice!
- Lime Wedges, Fresh Cilantro, and/or Green Onions: For a nice fresh flavor.
What To Serve On The Side
- Mexican Rice Recipe: A great, hearty side dish.
- Cornbread or Drop Biscuits: A warm side to dip into the soup.
- Mexican Salad: Made with the best creamy cilantro-lime dressing!
I thought this was delicious and so easy for a chilly weeknight dinner!! My fiancé thought it needed more spices so I’ll probably triple them next time but I loved this.
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Ashley! 🙂
This was very good! I like that it’s semi-homemade. This is a keeper! Yum!
So happy to hear! Thanks Christina! 🙂
Absolutely love this soup! My whole family loves it! We are never disappointed!
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks! 🙂
This soup is so delicious it’s become my signature dish.
And it’s versatile as heck.
My parents don’t like the cheesy broth – no problem, half the cream cheese and remove the cheddar.
Cooking for myself? Stirfry a poblano pepper or two with the onion, add the whole block of cream cheese, use Del Monte southwest corn (do NOT use Green Giant’s “Mexicorn”, it’s just corn with a little bit of bell pepper and a lot of added sugar… blech) and use an extra can of it, use hot chili beans, and octuple the garlic and cayenne pepper. I like my soup spicy and chunky, thanks.
Feeling virtuous? Switch out the chicken stock for vegetable stock, omit the cheese and chicken, stirfry some bell peppers (and a poblano if you’re me) with the onion, throw some spinach in in the last few minutes and you’ve got a delicious southwest vegetable bean soup.
It even works with leftover thanksgiving turkey if you’re that desperate to get it used up.
Haha, this was such an awesome comment! Thanks so much! I’m beyond thrilled you love this so much! 🙂
Made this for a Management meeting. Quick prep and cook time, I doubled the batch (loved that feature when you print out). Everyone enjoyed it and had plenty to share with other employees. Keeping this recipe for future use. Thank you!
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for your comment Marla! 🙂
This came out perfect! I tweaked it a little, to my own liking. I added 2 cans of fire-roasted tomatoes and 2 cans of corn. I may have added more enchilada sauce as well. Also used hatch green chiles.
Sounds awesome! So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for sharing Dustin! 🙂
Absolutely DELICIOUS!!! 😋 The whole family loved it!! Will definitely be making this recipe again!!
Yay! So happy to hear! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
I can’t wait to make this! I have been looking for a good recipe for chicken tortilla soup for a few YEARS since a coworker brought some in for us to try. This is the first recipe I have found that looks like the one she made us! Thank you. It looks delicious. Can’t wait.
I am so excited for you to try! Thanks! 🙂
I made this soup for the first time last week….. Since then we have made it two more times.. so THREE times in one week! My kids love it (even my oldest daughter who is so picky and refuses to try anything new!) We definitely have a new favorite! Thank you.
I am seriously so happy to hear this! That’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing Holly! 🙂
So yummy! Most importantly my 6 year old, 4 year old, 2 year old, 11 month old, and 38 year old 😉 boys (each picky in one way or another) all loved it and finally ate their dinner without complaint and made sure I knew this was a winner I should make again. This NEVER happens! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Yay!! Love hearing that!! Thanks Kaitlyn 🙂
Wondering if you could freeze this recipe