A Rich and Comforting Mexican Tortilla Soup

When you’re looking for a soup that is a true meal in a bowl—hearty, soulful, and packed with an incredible depth of flavor—a classic Mexican Tortilla Soup is the perfect answer.

This isn’t just a simple broth; it’s a rich, slightly spicy, and complex soup that is made truly special by its amazing array of toppings.

This recipe is all about building layers of authentic flavor. We’ll start by creating a savory and aromatic broth by charring tomatoes and onions, then blending them with a hint of smoky chipotle. We’ll simmer tender shredded chicken in this delicious liquid along with black beans and corn.

But the real magic happens at the end, when you ladle the hot soup into a bowl and pile it high with crispy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, and gooey melted cheese.

This is a fantastic, comforting meal that is perfect for a chilly evening or any time you crave a taste of Mexico. Let’s get our soup pot ready!

Essential Tools

• Large Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot
• Blender
• Baking Sheet (for the tortilla strips)
• Tongs and a Ladle
• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick look at the timeline for this hearty and flavorful soup.

Ingredients

This classic soup uses fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples to create its rich and authentic flavor.

For the Soup Base:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: 1.5 lbs. You can also use 3-4 cups of pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
• Chicken Broth: 6-8 cups, low-sodium.
• Roma Tomatoes: 4, halved.
• Onion: 1, quartered.
• Garlic: 4 cloves.
• Chipotle Pepper in Adobo: 1, plus 1 tsp of the adobo sauce (optional, for smoky heat).
• Spices: 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano.
• Black Beans: 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed and drained.
• Corn: 1 (15 oz) can, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen).
• Olive Oil: 1 tbsp.

For the Crispy Tortilla Strips & Toppings:

• Corn Tortillas: 6, cut into thin strips.
• Toppings: Shredded Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend cheese, diced avocado, sour cream or Mexican crema, fresh chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.

The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients

• Charred Vegetables: The technique of charring the tomatoes and onions under the broiler before blending them is an authentic step that adds an incredible layer of smoky, slightly sweet, and complex flavor to the soup base.
• Chipotle Pepper in Adobo: This is a key ingredient for adding a deep, smoky, and earthy heat that is very different from just adding chili powder. Even one pepper makes a huge difference in the complexity of the broth.
• Crispy Tortilla Strips: This is the signature garnish and what gives the soup its name. The crunchy, toasty corn flavor and satisfying texture are essential to the experience.
• The Toppings Bar: The magic of tortilla soup is in the toppings. The cool, creamy avocado and sour cream balance the warm, savory broth, while the gooey melted cheese adds richness, and a final squeeze of lime brightens everything up.

Cooking Instructions

This impressive soup is a rewarding process of building a flavorful broth from scratch and finishing with an array of fresh and fun toppings.

Step 1: Create the Flavorful Broth Base

First, turn on your oven’s broiler. Place the halved Roma tomatoes and the quartered onion on a baking sheet. Broil for 5-7 minutes, until the skins of the vegetables are blistered and nicely charred in spots.

While they broil, poach your chicken. Place the raw chicken breasts in a pot, cover with salted water, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Once cooked, let the chicken cool slightly before shredding it.

In a blender, combine the charred tomatoes and onion, the peeled garlic cloves, the optional chipotle pepper and its sauce, and about 1 cup of the chicken broth. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth.

Step 2: Simmer the Soup

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Carefully pour the blended tomato mixture into the pot; it may splatter.

“Fry” the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens in color and thickens slightly.

This step is important for developing the flavor. Pour in the remaining chicken broth and the dry spices (chili powder, cumin, oregano). Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to meld.

Step 3: Make the Crispy Tortilla Strips

While the soup simmers, prepare your signature topping. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the thin tortilla strips with a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt on a baking sheet.

Spread them out in a single layer and bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing once, until they are golden-brown and crispy.

Alternatively, you can fry them in a half-inch of hot oil in a skillet until they are crispy.

Step 4: Finish the Soup and Serve

To the simmering soup base, add the shredded cooked chicken, the rinsed black beans, and the drained corn.

Let the soup continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes just to heat all the ingredients through. Give the soup a final taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. To serve, ladle the hot soup into individual bowls.

Let everyone top their own bowl with a generous handful of the crispy tortilla strips, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, a few chunks of diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve with fresh lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Variations

This classic soup is a wonderful base for your own favorite flavors.

• Make it Spicy: For a much spicier soup, use 2-3 chipotle peppers in the blender, or add a finely minced jalapeño or serrano pepper to the pot along with the aromatics.
• Vegetarian Version: To make a vegetarian tortilla soup, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. Add an extra can of beans (like pinto or kidney beans) to make it just as hearty.
• Creamy Tortilla Soup: For a rich and creamy version, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or a few ounces of softened cream cheese at the very end until it has melted into the broth.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty soup is a complete meal in a bowl, especially with all the toppings.

• The Toppings Bar: The best and most fun way to serve tortilla soup is to set up a “toppings bar” with small bowls of all the garnishes so guests can customize their own soup.
• With Quesadillas: For an extra hearty meal, serve smaller bowls of the soup alongside a simple, cheesy quesadilla for dipping.
• A Simple Salad: A crisp and simple side salad with a creamy avocado dressing is a nice, fresh accompaniment.

Storage & Reheating Tips

The soup base is fantastic for making ahead, and the flavors get even better.

• Storage: Store the leftover soup base (without toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store the tortilla strips in a sealed bag at room temperature to keep them crispy.
• Reheating: Reheat the soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it’s simmering. Do not reheat the fresh toppings.
• Freezing: The soup base (without chicken or toppings) freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely and freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw, reheat, and add fresh chicken and toppings when you’re ready to serve.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I use a rotisserie chicken for this soup?

Yes, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe!

Simply shred the meat from the chicken (you’ll need about 3-4 cups) and stir it into the soup at the end along with the beans and corn.

Is it necessary to char the vegetables first?

While you can make the soup by just adding the raw tomatoes and onion to the blender, taking the extra 5-7 minutes to char them under the broiler adds an incredible layer of smoky, slightly sweet, and complex flavor that is the secret to a truly restaurant-quality tortilla soup.

How do I make the soup thicker?

This soup is traditionally a brothy soup. However, if you prefer a thicker consistency, a simple trick is to add a corn tortilla (torn into pieces) to the blender along with the tomatoes and chiles.

The corn tortilla will blend into the sauce and act as a natural thickener as the soup simmers.

Enjoy Your Comforting Bowl of Soup!

You are now ready to make a delicious and authentic Mexican tortilla soup that is bursting with layers of flavor.

It’s the perfect, satisfying meal for any night of the week, and the customizable toppings make it fun for the whole family. I hope you enjoy every single comforting spoonful!