Chicken tortilla soup is a delicious Mexican classic.
Its mixture of shredded chicken, flavorful broth, a touch of spice, and crunchy tortilla makes it a hearty soup full of amazing flavors and textures.
So, what exactly is in a classic bowl of chicken tortilla soup?
Chicken tortilla soup is traditionally made with onion, garlic, pepper, tomato, corn, and chilis. These vegetables flavor the broth, filled with shredded chicken and topped with fried tortilla strips. It is most commonly found in Mexico City, although its origins are a bit more mysterious.
In the rest of this article, we will take a look at what exactly is needed to make the perfect bowl of chicken tortilla soup and how you can get started cooking it at home today.
We will also explore the mysterious origins of this popular Mexican soup and its evolution over time.
What Is Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican favorite dish that combines a flavorful broth with tasty vegetables, shredded chicken, and strips of tortilla.
You may also find sour cream, avocado, or cheese as other traditional toppings served alongside this tasty and filling soup.
There are plenty of variations on this recipe, with different styles distinct to different regions. You may find it with a clear chicken broth base or a darker tomato broth option.
It may also be prepared more like a bean soup.
However, you are likely to find the combination of chicken, tomato, and fried tortilla in any variety.
History of Chicken Tortilla Soup
The origins of this tasty soup aren’t exactly clear, but some clues can be found in its alternate name, “sopa azteca.”
In English, this name means Soup of the Aztecs and signals that its origins may have to do with the ancient Aztec civilization.
As the Aztecs were most predominantly in the central and southern regions of Mexico, it is possible that the soup originated from these states.
However, there are conflicting accounts that specifically credit the state of Tlaxcala with creating this delicious soup.
This state is near Mexico City, where this soup is most intensely popular today.
Wherever the exact place of origin may be, it was a blending of ancient cultures with the Spanish arrival that brought this soup into its modern form and helped to spread its popularity around the country.
Nowadays, you can find this soup around Mexico as well as in the United States.
It is a popular choice in Southern California and other border states with a strong Mexican influence.
While it might be widely available in its home country, it is best known in Mexico City.
If you are looking for the best and most authentic place to try this tasty soup, be sure to order a bowl the next time you visit Mexico’s bustling capital city.
How To Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
If a trip to Mexico isn’t on your agenda, don’t worry. You can easily make your own chicken tortilla soup at home.
This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe is easy to follow and will help you make your own tasty soup in under an hour.
Let’s take a look at how to get started.
- Start with one white onion and one red bell pepper. You will want to dice up these vegetables and place them in a large pot with oil. Begin to cook these over medium-high heat, stirring and mixing with the oil. After a few minutes of cooking, the vegetables should begin to soften.
- Next, you will want to add five cloves of minced garlic. Add this to your onion and pepper mixture and stir well. You can begin adding spices at this point. This recipe will taste great with two teaspoons of chili powder, one teaspoon of paprika, and one teaspoon of ground cumin (about 5 grams of each). Feel free to adjust these measurements based on your taste.
- Next, take four cups of chicken broth (.94 liters) and add it to your pot. Place three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the broth, resting them on your diced vegetables. Allow this to simmer for about fifteen to twenty minutes or until the chicken is cooked to your liking.
- When the chicken is ready, remove it from the pot. You will want to shred this chicken thoroughly and return it to the pot when the shredding process is complete.
- Now it’s time to add in the final ingredients. Take one 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes (about 443 milliliters) and another 15 ounce can of tomato sauce or tomato puree. For the diced tomatoes, you may choose a fire-roasted variety for an additional smoky flavor. Finally, add one more 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed black beans and one 7-ounce can of diced green chilis (about 207 milliliters).
- You will also want to add 1.5 cups of corn (approximately 127 grams). This could be fresh, frozen, or canned. With any of the canned options listed above, you can substitute fresh ingredients if they are easily available in your area.
- Allow this mixture to simmer for about five minutes. You will want to make sure all of the new ingredients are heated through and that everything is well mixed together. Finally, add salt, lime juice, and cilantro to taste.
- When you serve up your delicious soup, you will still need to add the toppings. Traditionally, this soup is served with strips of fried tortilla or tortilla chips, sour cream, sliced avocado, or shredded cheese. You can make your tortilla strips at home by frying up tortillas and slicing them up into strips. You could also buy these prepackaged.
To see a guided tutorial on how to make this soup, you can visit this video on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kZY6z7azec
What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is bold, savory, and slightly spicy—so the best Mexican side dishes either balance the heat, add texture, or make it more filling.
Here are the top options:
🥖 1. Warm Tortillas or Cornbread
- Soft flour or corn tortillas for dipping
- Jalapeño cornbread for a sweet-spicy contrast
🍚 2. Mexican Rice
- Classic tomato-based rice
- Cilantro-lime rice for freshness
🫘 3. Refried or Black Beans
- Creamy refried beans with queso fresco
- Seasoned black beans with cumin and garlic
🥑 4. Guacamole & Chips
- Guacamole adds creaminess to balance spice
- Great for texture contrast
🌽 5. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
- Sweet, smoky, tangy flavors
- Elote pairs perfectly with chili-based soups
🧀 6. Quesadillas
- Cheese or chicken quesadillas
- Slice into strips for easy dipping
🥗 7. Fresh Side Salad
- Avocado, tomato, and lime dressing
- Lightens up a hearty bowl
Best Pairing Tip
If you want a simple weeknight combo, serve chicken tortilla soup with Mexican rice and guacamole.
If you’re hosting, add elote and quesadillas to turn it into a full Mexican-inspired meal.
Chicken Tortilla Soup: Easy, Flavorful, and Always Satisfying
Whether you can order up a hot, tasty bowl of chicken tortilla soup at your local Mexican restaurant or try this recipe at home, be sure to enjoy the aroma, flavors, and textures this soup offers.
If you enjoy this Mexican soup recipe, try exploring its many variations to find your favorite combination of ingredients.
Sources
- Kettle and Fire: Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Los Angeles Times: A Bowl of Mexican Soup
- Mexican Authentic Recipes: The Authentic Tortilla Soup
- Youtube: 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.