Chicken Tortilla Soup is the perfect easy weeknight dinner. Full of shredded chicken, corn, beans, and homemade tortilla strips, this soup is a meal in itself. It’s comforting, hearty, and filling.
What’s even better? Just like our Taco Soup and Beef Chili, this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe comes together in one pot.
This chicken tortilla soup recipe is a hit with everyone. It’s warm, comforting, filling, and full of flavor. Gaby Dalkin’s version from What’s Gaby Cooking takes this classic soup to the next level. The chicken tortilla soup she makes with her recipe is smooth, creamy, and full of tasty spices and flavors. Read on to find out why Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup recipe should become your new favorite!
Why Gaby’s Chicken Tortilla Soup is So Good
There are a few main things that make Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup recipe stand out:
Carefully Chosen Spices
Gaby uses a blend of spices like cumin, oregano, garlic, and chipotle pepper that perfectly complement the chicken and tomatoes. This spice blend adds warmth, smokiness, and depth of flavor.
Blending the Base
Many chicken tortilla soup recipes make a broth that is very chunky and heavy on tomatoes. Gaby does something very smart: she uses an immersion blender to turn the aromatic vegetables, tomatoes, and broth into a smooth, creamy base before adding the chicken, corn, and beans back in. This extra step makes a huge difference in the texture and flavor of the soup.
Flavorful Extras
The garnishes are what take this soup over the top. Gaby tops each bowl with freshly shredded cheese, cubes of creamy avocado, cilantro, crispy tortilla strips, lime juice and sliced jalapenos. This soup truly has it all – spice, creaminess, crunch and acidity.
Rave Reviews
With over 100 five-star ratings, it’s clear that Gaby’s recipe for chicken tortilla soup is a winner. People love the complex flavors and how easy it is to make. Many say it’s their new favorite chicken tortilla soup recipe.
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup comes together in just 6 easy steps:
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Sauté the aromatics: Gaby starts by sautéing onion, garlic and jalapeño to build a flavorful base.
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Simmer the broth: Next, she simmers tomatoes, chicken broth and spices like cumin, oregano and chipotle pepper to infuse the broth with flavor.
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The secret step is to blend the base. Gaby uses an immersion blender to turn the broth into a smooth, creamy paste.
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Add the chicken and veggies: Shredded chicken, corn and black beans are stirred in for texture and substance.
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Make the toppings: While the soup simmers, Gaby fries up crispy tortilla strips for crunch.
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Finish and serve: Finally, she tops each bowl with cheese, avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips, lime juice and sliced jalapeños for a flavor and texture explosion!
With just 20 minutes of active cooking time, Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup goes from stove to table in just 40 minutes total. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but feels special enough for company.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
Here are a few of Gaby’s tips for getting the most flavor out of this chicken tortilla soup recipe:
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Sweat the onions, garlic and jalapeños to build a strong flavor base.
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Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting.
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Add a squeeze of lime juice right before serving to brighten up the flavors.
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Use a stand mixer to shred chicken in seconds for easy homemade shredded chicken.
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Play around with different garnishes like avocado, Greek yogurt, queso fresco, cilantro or crispy bacon.
How to Store and Freeze Chicken Tortilla Soup
Leftover chicken tortilla soup will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. It also freezes beautifully for up to 4-5 months. To freeze, let the soup cool completely then transfer to freezer bags or containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Delicious Chicken Soup Recipes from What’s Gaby Cooking
If you love Gaby’s chicken tortilla soup, be sure to try some of her other amazing chicken soup recipes:
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Chicken Posole – This Mexican hominy and chicken stew is out of this world.
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Chicken Chili Verde – A spicy, flavorful green chili made with tomatillos and poblanos.
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White Chicken Chili – A lighter chili made with white beans, chicken and zesty spices.
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Turkey Tortilla Soup – For a lower calorie, post-Thanksgiving twist.
Make Gaby’s Famous Chicken Tortilla Soup
If you’re looking for a creamy, comforting chicken tortilla soup that’s loaded with flavor, look no further than Gaby’s recipe. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have this crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex favorite on the dinner table in 40 minutes flat. The smooth, spicy broth, tender chicken and abundance of toppings like cheese, avocado and cilantro make this chicken tortilla soup simply unforgettable. Head to the kitchen and whip up a batch today! Your family will thank you.
Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup:
Chicken tortilla soup is like a taco in soup form. Its rich tomato and chicken broth pairs perfectly with chunky veggies, shredded chicken, beans and sweet corn.
You can sprinkle some tortilla strips right on top with a healthy handful of cheese, or pair the dish with soft Dinner Rolls.
To Make Crispy Tortilla Strips:
- For pan frying, heat a pan over medium-high heat with 1/4 cup of oil. Eight six-inch corn tortillas should be cut into thin strips. They should then be fried in two batches, adding more oil as needed. Take it out of the pot and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- To bake, add the tortilla strips to a bowl and coat them well with 2 tablespoons of oil. Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350˺F for 15 minutes.
The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Ever
FAQ
Is chicken tortilla soup easy to make?
That’s pretty much all you need to do to make this Chicken Tortilla Soup. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or lots of people. It’s warm and comforting, hearty, savory, filling, and healthy, requires minimal effort (seriously one of the easiest soups you will ever make) and is destined to become a new family favorite!.
How do you cook chicken tortilla soup?
Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add all remaining Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients (except ADD LATER). Cover soup and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer over medium-low (or low if your stove runs hot).
How do you make chicken soup with a crock pot?
To make the soup, first you sauté the onion, garlic, and jalapeño until they soften. Then you add a can of diced tomatoes, green chilies, and chicken broth and simmer them for 30 minutes. Blend the soup in a stand blender and then pour it back into the pot. You can also use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it is smooth in the pot.
What to add to chicken tortilla soup to make it taste better?
Aromatics like poblano peppers and cilantro stems, and spices like ancho chili powder and cumin add a depth of flavor to the tomato-y broth that just can’t be …Feb 1, 2025
Is chicken tortilla soup healthy?
Yes, chicken tortilla soup can be a healthy and nutritious meal. It is often packed with lean protein from the chicken and vegetables, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
What’s in Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup?
Shredded chicken breast with navy and black beans in a white creamy soup base with a perfect blend of vegetables and spicy heat. Topped off with seasoned corn tortilla strips.