Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of my favorite fall soup recipes. It’s creamy, it’s delicious, and it’s filled with all of my favorite Tex-Mex ingredients. This easy tortilla soup recipe is perfect for any night of the week, and it’s so easy to save and reheat later!

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

This chicken tortilla soup is so good. It’s made on the stove, so if you don’t have slow cookers and instant pots, don’t worry! I love the extra creamy texture of this recipe compared to regular chicken tortilla soup.

  • Easy. You can use raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cook them directly in the soup, or you can add precooked chicken later on.
  • Adaptable. Change up the spice level to suit your tastes. Omit the jalapeños if you’re not a fan of spice.
  • Flavorful. Chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chilies, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika add so much depth to this soup.

Variations on This Recipe for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

There are so many ways to change up this creamy chicken soup recipe to suit your tastes and what you have on hand. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra veggies, like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach.

And if you can’t find smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or try adding a pinch of ground chipotle chili powder to get that smoky flavor.

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover creamy chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat or in individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.

How to Freeze

If you plan to freeze this creamy chicken tortilla soup, I recommend leaving out the heavy cream until you are ready to serve. Freeze the soup (without heavy cream) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and stirring in cream.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delicious and creamy soup with extra tortilla chips and a side of Mexican mac and cheese, homemade taquitos, avocado fries, avocado corn salsa, chilaquiles, or Mexican street corn pasta salad.

Wash it all down with a refreshing margarita or pineapple agua fresca for the kiddos.

Is chicken tortilla soup healthy?

This easy soup is relatively good for you. Healthy means something different to everyone, but it’s filled with veggies, beans, and chicken so it is a nice whole meal. It’s also not too bad calorie-wise. However, if you really want a healthy version, check out our Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe instead!

Does adding heavy cream to soup make it thicker?

Yes! There’s no water in this recipe to thin things out. We’re just using chicken stock for the liquid, which really adds a nice thickness to the soup. At the end, stir in heavy cream to really add in the creamy texture!

How do you thicken chicken tortilla soup?

The cream should help to thicken up this soup, but if you’re still longing for an even creamier texture, keep simmering the soup to reduce and thicken it. You can also try adding a few cubes of cream cheese!

How do you tone down chicken tortilla soup?

If you find this soup to be too spicy for your tastes, you can omit the jalapeños, use mild diced tomatoes and green chilies, and skip adding any crushed red pepper flakes.

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More Tortilla Soup Recipes We Love

  • Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Beef Tortilla Soup

5-Star Review

“My family LOVED this soup. It’s hard to find something everyone can agree on and this was a home run!” – Shawna Modrich

Recipe

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

4.59 from 659 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves8

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Make this Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup your new go-to soup recipe this fall and winter season! It's so creamy and so absolutely delicious. Make a batch of it so you can grab it and reheat it any time you're craving this tasty soup.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

For the Soup

  • 3 tablespoons crushed corn tortilla chips
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 jalapeño peppers diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 29 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chilies such as Rotel (2 (14.5-ounce) cans)
  • 11 ounces canned corn kernels (1 can)
  • 14.5 ounces canned black beans rinsed and drained (1 can)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for extra spice
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
  • 2 limes 1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges
  • 1 cup heavy cream room temperature
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • Corn tortilla chips or strips
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Sliced avocado

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

For the Soup

  • Crush enough tortilla chips to make 3 tablespoons and set aside.

    3 tablespoons crushed corn tortilla chips

  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the vegetable oil.

    2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • Add onions and cook 3 minutes or until softened and translucent.

    1 yellow onion

  • Add the jalapeños and cook an additional 1 minute.

    2 jalapeño peppers

  • Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

    4 cloves garlic

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  • Pour in the chicken broth, tomatoes, corn, beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, and crushed corn tortilla chips.

    6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 29 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chilies, 11 ounces canned corn kernels, 14.5 ounces canned black beans, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • If using chicken breasts, add them now and reduce the heat to low.

    3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • Simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

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  • Remove chicken breasts and use two forks to shred. Transfer the shredded chicken back into the pot. (If using chopped rotisserie chicken, add it now.)

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  • Add lime juice and heavy cream. Stir well and season with salt & pepper. Cook until heated through.

    2 limes, 1 cup heavy cream, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

To Serve

  • Ladle soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with shredded cheese, corn tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro.

    Shredded Mexican blend cheese, Corn tortilla chips, Sour cream, Chopped fresh cilantro

  • Serve a wedge of lime and a few slices of avocado.

    Sliced avocado

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Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • If you don’t have chicken breast, you can use chicken thighs. Be sure to use boneless, skinless thighs.
  • If you don’t have black beans or don’t like them, feel free to use other beans, such as pink kidney beans or pinto beans!
  • Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature and the soup is off the flame to avoid curdling the cream.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.

Storage:Store creamy chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bowl Calories: 399kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 29g (10%) Protein: 29g (58%) Fat: 20g (31%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0.04g Cholesterol: 90mg (30%) Sodium: 763mg (33%) Potassium: 1004mg (29%) Fiber: 6g (25%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 1064IU (21%) Vitamin C: 24mg (29%) Calcium: 108mg (11%) Iron: 4mg (22%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

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How to Make Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Step by Step

Sauté the Veggies: Crush enough tortilla chips to make 3 tablespoons and set aside. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add 1 diced yellow onion and cook for 3 minutes or until softened and translucent. Add 2 diced jalapeños and cook for an additional 1 minute, then add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

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Cook the Soup: Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 29 ounces (2 cans) of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chilies, 11 ounces (1 can) of corn kernels, 14.5 ounces (1 can) of black beans, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ⅛ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, and the 3 tablespoons of crushed corn tortilla chips. If using raw chicken breasts, add them now and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

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Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts and use two forks to shred. Transfer the shredded chicken back into the pot. (If using chopped rotisserie chicken, add it now.)

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Add the Cream: Add the juice of 2 limes and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Cook until heated through.

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Serve the Soup: Ladle the soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with shredded cheese, corn tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve a wedge of lime and a few slices of avocado.

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (20)

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What makes thick creamy soups? ›

Traditional cream soups derive their smooth texture from liberal amounts of milk or cream, thickened with flour or cornstarch. Now when we make soups that are creamy, chances are they contain no cream at all: They're likely thickened with purees made from starchy vegetables.

How can I thicken my tortilla soup? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How do you tone down spice in tortilla soup? ›

Basically, there are two ways to reduce how spicy any soup is:
  1. Make more soup and dilute the spices.
  2. Add more starch and/or dairy to the existing soup.
Nov 8, 2018

How do you thicken taco soup? ›

Addition of Cornstarch or Flour: Create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with water. Stir this mixture into the soup and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Ensure there are no lumps by gradually adding the slurry while stirring constantly.

What's the best cream to use in soups? ›

There's classic heavy cream, of course, which makes soups like our creamy tomato Parm soup and our cream of broccoli soup extra delicious. Another great (and non-dairy) option is coconut milk.

How can I make my soup more creamy? ›

Add Flour, Cornstarch, or Other Thickener: Starches thicken soup and give it body. Whisk a few tablespoons of starch into a little of the broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This prevents the starch from clumping and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Why is my tortilla soup watery? ›

Keep Simmering. Sometimes all your soup needs is a little more time on the stove. Allow your chicken tortilla soup to simmer uncovered for an extended period. The heat will help evaporate some of the liquid, naturally thickening the soup.

How do you thicken tortilla soup with cornstarch? ›

Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly. Using corn starch is a fast, effective way to thicken soup.

How do you make chicken tortilla soup less salty? ›

Add Lemon or Vinegar

A squeeze of lemon can balance out a mildly oversalted soup with its acidic flavor. A splash of vinegar can also do wonders for taming the salty flavor.

Can I add milk to soup? ›

Can I use milk instead of cream in soup? Of course you can, it may be a bit thinner in consistency. It will also be less in calories and fat, but also flavor.

Can I add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Milk or Half-and-Half: This is the other magical ingredient that turns your homemade chicken noodle soup into the creamiest soup ever. Use 1 cup of whole milk or 1 cup of half-and-half.

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

We'll break down the best thickeners to use for any variety of soup you wish to make.
  • Add thickness with a flour slurry. ...
  • Cornstarch should be your thickener of choice. ...
  • Red beans or lentils can thicken a pureed soup. ...
  • Bring the magic of risotto with arborio rice. ...
  • Use pasta starch in a couple of different ways.
Jun 16, 2023

Does heavy cream thicken soup? ›

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

What are the 3 types of thick soups? ›

Thick soups are classified depending upon the type of thickening agent used: purées are vegetable soups thickened with starch; bisques are made from puréed shellfish or vegetables thickened with cream; cream soups may be thickened with béchamel sauce; and veloutés are thickened with eggs, butter, and cream.

What is the most common thickener for soups? ›

Roux (pronounced roo) is a mixture of equal weights (parts) of flour and fat (usually clarified butter; chicken fat, bacon fat, and margarine are also used) cooked over medium heat and stirred constantly. Roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups.

What do restaurants use to thicken soup? ›

Corn Starch

This completely versatile starch is used in savory and sweet dishes alike: gelatinizing fruit pie fillings or thickening your hefty, stick-to-your-bones soups.

What is a thick creamy soup called? ›

Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Sep 21, 2021 • 2 min read. Bisque and chowder are two types of thick soup with origins in French fishing villages.

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