Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Garnishes
Easy homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe with fresh cilantro, lime, and crispy tortilla strips. Ready in under 1 hour.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 cup crispy tortilla strips (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes: diced avocado, sour cream, lime wedges, diced red onion
Instructions
- 1
Prepare all ingredients by dicing the onion and bell pepper, mincing the garlic and jalapeño, and measuring out the spices.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- 3
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño to the hot oil, then sauté while stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly until the raw garlic smell dissipates.
- 5
Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, and oregano directly into the vegetable mixture, then toast these spices for 1-2 minutes while stirring to deepen their flavor.
- 6
Pour in the chicken broth and add the whole chicken breasts, ensuring they're mostly submerged in the liquid.
- 7
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- 8
Remove the cooked chicken to a cutting board using tongs and allow it to cool for 3-5 minutes until safe to handle.
- 9
Shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks, pulling the meat apart in opposite directions, then set aside.
- 10
Stir the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) into the simmering broth.
- 11
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and simmer everything together for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
- 12
Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed, adjusting to your preference.
- 13
Remove from heat and squeeze in the fresh lime juice, stirring well to distribute the bright citrus throughout.
- 14
Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
- 15
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with crispy tortilla strips, avocado slices, and any other desired garnishes, allowing guests to customize their own bowls.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breast | Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs | Thighs contain more collagen and healthy fats that support gut health and provide richer, more flavorful broth |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | Homemade bone broth or 50/50 chicken and vegetable broth | Bone broth is rich in gelatin and collagen for enhanced gut healing; vegetable broth adds beneficial phytonutrients and reduces sodium |
| Canned diced tomatoes | Fresh Roma tomatoes, diced (or fire-roasted fresh tomatoes) | Fresh tomatoes contain more heat-sensitive lycopene and live enzymes beneficial for gut microbiome; roasting concentrates umami flavors |
| Crispy fried tortilla strips | Baked tortilla strips or homemade tortilla chips | Baking eliminates excess oil while maintaining crispness, reducing inflammatory seed oils and supporting cardiovascular health |
| Sour cream as garnish | Greek yogurt or cultured coconut cream | Greek yogurt provides probiotics for gut health; coconut cream offers anti-inflammatory MCTs; both reduce saturated fat compared to traditional sour cream |
| Regular table salt | Sea salt or mineral-rich pink Himalayan salt | Unrefined sea salt contains trace minerals and electrolytes that support hydration and reduce inflammatory processed salt compounds |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 310 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 72mg |
| Sodium | 780mg |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 35g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
