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My Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup features rotisserie chicken, chopped onions and peppers, and black beans and corn. There is so much flavor in this soup, and it makes a large pot, so you’ll have enough to feed a crowd or freeze for later. The soup takes about an hour to cook.
This soup is largely hands-off once you’ve chopped the onion and peppers. I love making this soup for game day or when we are having a bunch of people over. And even when it’s just the two of us, this is a great soup to keep in the freezer, so I’ll still make the full amount and freeze the leftovers.
Testing results for chicken tortilla soup
- I’ve made this soup using chicken breasts and cooking a whole chicken, and either way works just fine. I usually just grab a rotisserie chicken because it always tastes good and is easy.
- This soup adapts well to either reducing or increasing the spice level. If you want it spicier, throw in some hotter peppers like a serrano and/or add some chipotle chili powder or ancho chili powder. If you want to decrease the heat level, omit the jalapenos.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
P.S. I like to serve this chicken tortilla soup with either my Southern Cornbread or Jiffy Mexican Cornbread. I usually also serve it with my Restaurant-Style Salsa and Homemade Guacamole as toppings. We don’t typically have sides with this soup unless it’s game day, in which case we always have Pimento Cheese, Honey Garlic Wings, and plenty of other game day snacks.
Ingredient notes
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is perfect in this recipe. One whole chicken is just the right amount. You can also cook some chicken breasts for this soup. You’ll need about 4 cups total.
Onions and peppers: Want to know a secret? You can use the frozen, chopped onions and peppers in soup. I love this shortcut!
Pin this now to save it for laterHow to make spicy chicken tortilla soup
- Chop the onion and peppers. Shred the chicken.
- Sauté the onion, peppers, and garlic until tender.
- Add the remaining ingredients and cook for half an hour. Then add the torn corn tortillas and chopped cilantro, and cook another 20 minutes.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups chopped white onion
- 1 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 cup chopped red pepper
- ⅓ cup chopped and seeded jalapenos
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 4 quarts chicken stock
- 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
- 2 small cans green chilis, drained
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toppings
- Guacamole or chopped avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled queso cheese, crushed tortilla chips, lime slices, salsa.
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, heat 6 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups chopped white onion, 1 cup chopped green pepper1 cup chopped red pepper, and 1/3 cup chopped and seeded jalapenos and saute 6-8 minutes, until vegetables are starting to soften. Add 1 tablespoon chopped garlic and saute for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in 4 quarts chicken stock, 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken, 3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed, 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, 2 small cans green chilis, drained, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 3 tablespoons cumin, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper.
- Stir soup until everything is well blended and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- Tear 6 corn tortillas into small pieces and drop into the soup along with 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Simmer for another 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Remove from heat.
I am “the neighbor”
I really liked this soup.
Keep making the big pot
I am “the neighbor”
I really liked this soup.
Keep making the big pot
Looks delicious, I wish that I lived nearby!