Tortilla soup is the perfect comfort food that brings together a combination of rich flavors, savory broth, and satisfying textures. This Mexican-inspired soup is hearty, yet light, making it ideal for any season, whether you’re craving a warm, cozy dish during the colder months or something flavorful to enjoy year-round. The vibrant flavors of tomatoes, chili, and garlic come together in a satisfying broth, while crispy tortilla strips add a wonderful crunch, making every bite a delight.
The beauty of tortilla soup lies in its simplicity. It’s made with common pantry ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices, but when combined, they create an explosion of flavor. The base of the soup is a flavorful broth that is gently simmered with aromatic ingredients like cumin, coriander, and chili powder. This combination of spices gives the soup its signature warmth and depth. As the soup simmers, the tomatoes and broth meld together, forming a rich, savory foundation that is both comforting and filling.
What sets tortilla soup apart is the addition of crispy tortilla strips. Fried to perfection, these strips float on top of the soup, adding a satisfying crunch to every spoonful. Whether you make your own or use store-bought tortilla chips, they elevate the dish, offering a wonderful textural contrast to the soft, warm soup. A squeeze of fresh lime and a sprinkle of cilantro adds a burst of freshness, balancing the richness of the broth.
This soup is highly customizable and versatile. You can add shredded chicken or beef for extra protein, or make it vegetarian by leaving out the meat and adding more vegetables like corn, beans, or zucchini. For those who love spice, you can kick up the heat by adding fresh chilies or hot sauce to taste. Tortilla soup is perfect for a cozy dinner, and its bold, flavorful profile will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup chicken shredded, cooked
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 ounces
- 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 4 corn tortillas cut into strips and fried
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat some oil and sauté the onion until translucent.
- Add the garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the chicken broth, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, and chili powder.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips.
My grandma makes the best tortilla soup, this was not the same. Disappointed.
I tried this and it was way too salty for my taste. Maybe less salt next time?
Delicious! I added avocado slices and it made it perfect! 😍
That sounds amazing! Avocado definitely enhances it. Great idea! 🥑😊
The recipe is easy to follow but could use more spice. I like it hot!
I don’t know… It was kinda bland for my taste. Maybe add more spices?
I totally get what you mean! I added more cayenne and it really turned up the flavor!
Tortilla soup? More like tortilla stew! Too thick for my liking.
But I think it tastes great as is! Maybe you just prefer lighter soups. Everyone’s taste is different!
I disagree! This soup is supposed to be hearty and filling! If you want it thinner, just add more broth.
Yum! My kids loved it. I added some avocado and it was delish!
Super tasty! I added some avocado on top and it was delicious. Will make again!
Hated it! The broth was too salty for my taste.
I dunno about this recipe, the instructions seem a bit off. Who puts tomatoes in soup?
First time making soup and it was fun! but I used beef broth by accident. Still good!
Mine came out too thick… idk if I messed it up or what. Add more broth if yr soup is thick!
I don’t get the hype. It’s just soup, it didn’t wow me.
Pretty good! I just used whatever I had in the fridge. #chefskills
Sounds delicious! I love when you can make something good with just what you have. Great job! 👏
Mmm, for sum reason I put too much cumin and it was overwhelming, lol.
Tortilla strips are the best part! Gimme more crusty ones! 😀
This soup is amazing! Full of flavor and so easy to make. My family loved it!
I totally agree! This soup is a hit at my house too. Can’t wait to make it again!
I just used leftover turkey instead of chicken and it worked wonders! 😄
But isn’t turkey drier than chicken? Not sure if that’s a good swap. 🤔
That’s a great idea! Leftover turkey can be so versatile. I’ll try it next time! 😊
Yummy! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
Too much chicken for me… maybe just use one cup? I like a lil less meat in my soup. ⭐⭐
Not spicy enough for me, I added some jalapeños. Still okay tho.
Jalapeños sound like a great addition! I like my soup spicy too! 🌶️
Too spicy for my kids! I should’ve used less chili powder. Be careful!
Didn’t work out for me. My soup got burned. I need cooking lessons. 🙁
I don’t have cumin, can I leave it out? I used taco seasoning instead.
I don’t know, cumin is like important for flavor. You might wanna try finding some!
Yeah, you can leave it out! Taco seasoning should make it tasty too.
Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but this soup turned out really good. Only thing is I added avocado. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m not really a soup person, but this one I could get used to!
I think there should be beans in this, right? But still, nice flavor.
Nah, beans are not traditional in tortilla soup. It’s perfect without them!
Beans would be a nice addition! I usually put black beans in my tortilla soup for extra protein.
This was so good! I love tortilla soup and this recipe hit all the right notes. Definitely making it again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Tortilla soup is such a cozy dish. What toppings did you use?
Looks good but can you really trust a soup recipe with only 6 steps? Seems too easy to be true.
Fried tortillas make everything better! This is a keeper for sure!
It was good, but I feel like something was missing. Maybe some lime?
Lime would definitely add a nice zing! I think it’s a great idea.
I can’t really cook, but this was so simple! Thanks for the easy recipe!
Perfect for a cold day! I will definitely be making this for my book club.
Sounds delicious! I’m excited to try it out too. What book are you discussing?
Super easy to make! I used leftover rotisserie chicken. Yum!
5 stars for sure! Even better than the one at that restaurant.
I totally agree! This is the best recipe I’ve tried in ages. So easy and delicious!
Really? I tried it and it was too spicy for me. Maybe I did something wrong…
Wow, this soup is amazing! Perfect for a cold night! My whole family loved it.
Yum!
Not spicy enough! I added jalapenos but still bland. 😒
I totally understand! Sometimes a little more spice makes a big difference. Have you tried adding some hot sauce or a splash of lime juice?
This soup is amazing! So flavorful and easy to make.
I like tacos better! 🥴 Not a fan of soupy stuff.
This is just like the one my grandma used to make, brings back memories!
That’s so sweet! Food really does have a way of bringing back memories. Your grandma sounds like a great cook!
I tried this and it was QUIRIOUS… like is this even real tortilla soup?
Yum! But why do people always fry the tortillas? Just crumble them in…
Frying the tortillas gives them a nice crunch! It’s like the cherry on top. You need that texture, trust me!
Are you serious? This isn’t real tortilla soup. Where are the avocados?
I get what you mean! Avocados really add that creamy touch. But this recipe still sounds delicious! Maybe I’ll add some on top myself.
It was ok, but I think it needs like, more spices or something. It tasted a bit bland. ⭐⭐⭐
I thought it would be better… it’s just another chicken soup to me. Not worth the hype.
I mixed up the cumin with cinnamon. Oops! Still edible.
Soup good! But what’s a tortilla? I used bread instead 😂
Can’t believe you used bread! Tortillas are super easy to make or find in stores. 😅
Tortillas are like flatbread! You did it your way tho, sounds yummy! 😂
This is the best tortilla soup I’ve ever made! So flavorful! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sooo easy! I made this to impress my friends and they all asked for the recipe. Thanks!
So glad you liked it! It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure! 😊
What about beans? Why no beans in this recipe? I feel like it needs more stuff.
This soup is so good! My family loved it. Will make again for sure!
I dunno, soup’s just soup to me. Maybe I’ll try it someday but sounds kinda basic.
Yum! Glad your family enjoyed it! It’s such a perfect comfort food for cold days!
It’s alright. Too spicy for my kiddos tho.
Just made it! Delish! Will add more garlic next time tho.
I totally agree! Garlic makes everything better! Can’t wait to try your version!
More garlic? Seems like too much to me! I like it balanced. 🤔
This soup is absolutely delicious! I added some avocado on top, made it even better!
It turned out okay but I expected more flavor. Maybe I’ll add some lime next time.
I totally agree! It could use a little more zing. Lime would be a great addition! 🌿
I don’t know, I thought it was flavorful enough. Maybe you just didn’t use enough spices?.
Yum!!! 😋
Simple and quick recipe! Perfect for a lazy night. Thanks!