Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable)

Hearty, creamy soup with chicken, beans, corn, and melted cheddar cheese ready in under an hour.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
05 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed

→ Spices and Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

15 - Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges
18 - Extra shredded cheddar cheese
19 - Sliced jalapeños

# Directions:

01 - Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add corn, black beans, Rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, and shredded chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
03 - Stir in cream cheese cubes until melted and fully incorporated. Add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with tortilla strips, cilantro, lime wedges, extra cheese, and jalapeños as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The ingredient list is almost entirely pantry staples you probably already have
  • Something magical happens when the cream cheese meets that spiced tomato broth
02 -
  • The cream cheese must be softened before adding it or it will float on top in stubborn little lumps that refuse to melt
  • Grating your own cheddar cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly it incorporates into the broth
  • The soup thickens as it sits, so if you prefer it thinner, keep some extra broth on hand to thin it out
03 -
  • Save some tortilla strips to add right before eating so they stay crunchy instead of getting soggy
  • If the soup seems too thick after refrigerating, warm it with a splash of broth rather than water
Go Back