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.
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! 🥑😊
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!
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!
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! 😀
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. ⭐⭐
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!
The instructions are okay, but the ingredient list says “tortillas cut into strips and fried” like it’s effortless. I need more guidance on oil temp lol.
Didn’t work out for me. My soup got burned. I need cooking lessons. 🙁
I used frozen corn and it was fine, but I added extra garlic because 2 cloves felt light. Still turned out great.
Love this! I’ve done frozen corn too and it’s always reliable. Also yes—2 cloves can be a little timid; your version sounds perfect.
2 cloves is totally enough for me, but I guess if you like it garlicky go for it. Did you fry the tortilla strips in advance or right before serving? Mine usually gets soggy fast 😅
Not what I expected. It was alright, but I think it needed something else.
I dunno, man. It’s tortilla soup. What more do you want? Tacos in it or what?
I thought it was good! Maybe add some avocado or lime to jazz it up a bit?
Too salty for my taste 😕. I think I added too much broth?
It was okay, but I thought it could use some beans or something. Just had chicken and corn.
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.
My whole family loved it, even my picky eater! Definitely a recipe to keep.
That’s awesome! I always find it hard to please my picky child, maybe I will try this recipe too! Thanks for sharing.
Um, I don’t know. Seems like a lot of ingredients. Can’t just throw some broth and chicken together? 🤔
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!
I followed the recipe but it didn’t taste like what my mom made. I think she used a different broth or something.
You might be right! Broth can totally change the flavor. Maybe try adding more spices next time?
Idk why you think it needs to be like your mom’s? Every recipe is different. I thought it was good!
So easy and quick! Will make again. Tastes like a pro made it!
I totally agree! This recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s so good and filling!
But does it really taste like restaurant style? I mean, how can you be 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!
I used leftover rotisserie chicken and it was a hit! Easy to follow too.
I wasn’t sure about the corn, but it turned out to be a great addition!
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?
The recipe is nice but kinda basic. I expected more excitement.
Quick and easy! My kids loved it and said it was better than what I usually make. Will make again!
That’s awesome to hear! Kids really know what they like. I’ll have to try this for my family too.
I don’t know… tortilla soup? Sounds kinda bland to me. You sure it’s really better than yours?
I was a bit skeptical about the cumin, but it really brought the flavors together. Great recipe!
Super easy to make! I used leftover rotisserie chicken. Yum!