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.
Pretty good, but mine turned out a bit salty. I’d go lighter on the salt until after simmering—especially if your broth already has salt.
This is so comforting—didn’t expect it to taste that hearty. I used canned chicken for speed and it still came out great!
Not bad, but 20 minutes is kind of short for me. I let it simmer closer to 35 and the onions tasted sweeter. Would definitely make again.
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! 🥑😊
I followed it, but mine came out a little bland. Probably not enough salt? The broth I used was low-sodium, so I had to add extra pepper and salt at the end.
That sounds like it could be a salt issue, yeah. I usually start with the seasonings as written, then add a little more cumin/chili powder too—especially if the broth is low-sodium. Also letting it simmer the full 20 helps the flavors “round out.”
Maybe your tomatoes were less flavorful? My soup gets not-bad but bland if I don’t fry the tortillas crispy enough or if I don’t add extra salt mid-cook. Low-sodium broth needs more than pepper, pepper won’t fix it.
Pretty good, though I think 20 minutes is a bit short for the flavors to fully marry. Next time I’ll simmer closer to 30. Also I cut the tortillas smaller—more crunch per bite.
The recipe is easy to follow but could use more spice. I like it hot!
I tried frying the tortillas, and mine turned out kinda soggy?? Maybe my oil temp was wrong. The soup itself was tasty, I just didn’t get the crunch.
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!
Not gonna lie I was skeptical about frying the tortillas, but wow—worth it. I used corn tortillas and they crisped fast. The soup itself tastes like it came from a restaurant.
I felt the same way—frying the strips makes a huge difference. I do it with corn tortillas too and they stay crunchy way longer than store-bought chips.
I’m skeptical about frying strips—seemed like extra work for “little crunch.” But wow, it actually held up and didn’t get soggy instantly.
Really good flavor, but mine needed way more salt than the recipe suggested. Also I forgot to fry the tortillas at first and it felt kind of flat—crispy topping matters.
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!
Eh, not great. My aunt’s recipe is way better! This was just meh.
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.
This recipe is overly complicated. Do I really need 4 cups of broth?
Made this for dinner last night and it was soooo cozy. The cumin + chili powder combo is perfect, and the tortilla strips add that crunchy top. I used frozen corn and it still came out great.
Omg yes—cozy is the perfect word for this 😍 I’m making it again this week. The tortilla strips really do make it.
Tried it but mine was a bit bland until I added more chili powder and like… a splash of lime (idk if that’s “allowed” lol). Still good though!
My onion was translucent, then I added garlic and it burned a bit… so the flavor got bitter. Still ate it, but I’d recommend lower heat. Also, frying the tortilla strips made my kitchen smell like a chip shop lol.
Tortilla soup? Mmm… more like Tortilla slog. Didn’t like it.
I dunno about this recipe, the instructions seem a bit off. Who puts tomatoes in soup?
This soup is amazing! So flavorful and perfect for a chilly evening.
I totally agree! This soup is a game changer for cold nights. 😍
Sounds good, but I think it’s missing a kick! Maybe add more spices?
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!
Tortilla soup? Never heard of it. Made it for the fam, they was surprised but liked it!
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! 😀
Made this last night—so cozy. The cumin + chili powder combo is perfect, and the tortilla strips stay nice and crunchy. I added a squeeze of lime at the end and it really woke everything up.
It hot! I add hot sauce because I like it spicy. Yum!
I love it spicy too! Hot sauce is the best way to kick things up a notch. Makes it so much better. 😋
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 don’t know about the corn, it didn’t mix well with the rest to me. Not a fan!
Why fry the tortillas at all? I air-fried them and they were still decent. I’ll probably skip frying next time and just toss tortilla strips in after to save time.
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. ⭐⭐