Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
This flavorful and creamy chicken tortilla soup is loaded with tender shredded chicken, smoky spices, corn, black beans, and a rich creamy broth, making it a cozy meal that's easy to prepare.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1-2 pieces jalapeños, seeded and diced (optional for heat) adjust for desired heat level
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, with juices
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 12-ounce can corn, drained
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
- 1 piece Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- crispy tortilla strips
- diced avocado
- shredded Mexican blend cheese
- sour cream
- chopped cilantro
- lime wedges
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, jalapeños (if using), and garlic. Cook until onions soften and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Cooking
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, and chicken broth. Mix well.
- Add smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all the flavors.
- Mix in black beans, corn, and shredded chicken. Bring soup to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and let the soup simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes to marry flavors.
- Stir in heavy cream and fresh lime juice. Warm through but do not boil to avoid curdling.
Serving
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro to taste.
Notes
Make it spicier by adding jalapeño seeds or a dash of cayenne pepper. For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with coconut milk or omit cream for a dairy-free tortilla soup. This recipe is great for using rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken. Soup freezes well without cream added; add cream fresh when reheating.