25 MIN CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (So Much Better When You Treat it Like CHILI)

25 MIN CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (So Much Better When You Treat it Like CHILI) is a easy Mexican recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Brian Lagerstrom on YouTube.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 50 min

Cost: $20.75 total, $5.19 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 medium Red Onion (peeled and roughly diced)
  • 1 piece Poblano Pepper (top removed, seeded, sliced into strips)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (smashed, peeled, coarsely chopped)
  • 35 g Olive Oil (extra‑virgin, for sautéing)
  • 1 tsp Salt (kosher salt, added in stages)
  • 20 g Chili Powder (smoked, adds depth)
  • 5 g Paprika (sweet paprika)
  • 5 g Ground Cumin (ground cumin)
  • 2 g Dried Oregano (Mexican oregano if available)
  • 1500 g Chicken Stock (low‑sodium, about 1.5 L)
  • 790 g Diced Tomatoes (canned, with juices)
  • 425 g Kidney Beans (canned, keep liquid)
  • 425 g Black Beans (canned, drained)
  • 2 pieces Chipotle Chilies in Adobo (canned, include sauce)
  • 150 g Frozen Corn (kernels, no need to thaw)
  • 300 g Rotisserie Chicken (skin‑on, half bird, shredded)
  • 1 piece Avocado (ripe, diced)
  • 30 g Tortilla Chips (thick taqueria‑style, for garnish)
  • 15 g Cilantro (stems removed, chopped)
  • 50 g Aged White Cheddar (grated)
  • 30 g Sour Cream (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep Vegetables

    Dice the red onion roughly, slice the poblano into strips after removing the top and seeds, and smash‑peel‑chop the garlic cloves.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Heat Oil

    Place the Dutch oven over medium heat and add 35 g olive oil. Let it heat until shimmering.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Sauté Onion & Poblano

    Add the diced onion, poblano strips, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Add Garlic

    Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

    Time: PT1M

  5. Toast Spices

    Add chili powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano. Stir and toast for about 30 seconds until aromatic.

    Time: PT1M

  6. Add Liquids & Beans

    Pour in chicken stock, canned diced tomatoes with juices, kidney beans (with liquid), and drained black beans. Stir to combine.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Bring to Simmer

    Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Shred Rotisserie Chicken

    While the soup simmers, pull half of the rotisserie chicken from the skin, discard or reserve the other half, and chop into bite‑size pieces.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Blend Chipotle Base

    Scoop about 2 cups of the simmering broth into the empty tomato can, add the chipotle chilies with adobo sauce, and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return the blended mixture to the pot.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Add Corn & Chicken

    Stir in frozen corn and the shredded chicken. Simmer gently for 5‑10 minutes until the corn is heated through and the chicken is warmed.

    Time: PT8M

  11. Prepare Garnishes

    Dice the avocado, crumble tortilla chips, chop cilantro, grate cheddar, and scoop sour cream into small bowls for serving.

    Time: PT5M

  12. Final Seasoning & Serve

    Taste the soup and add a strong pinch of salt if needed. Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, chips, cilantro, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
25 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
6 g

Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, High‑Protein, Low‑Carb (moderate), Nut‑Free

Allergens: Dairy, Corn

Last updated: April 12, 2026

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25 MIN CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (So Much Better When You Treat it Like CHILI)

Recipe by Brian Lagerstrom

A quick, weeknight‑friendly chicken tortilla soup packed with smoky chipotle, roasted poblano, rotisserie chicken, beans, corn and topped with avocado, crunchy tortilla chips, cilantro, aged white cheddar and sour cream. Ready in about 30 minutes, this Latin‑inspired chili‑style soup is hearty yet not overly heavy.

EasyMexicanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
17m
Prep
34m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 1m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$20.75
Total cost
$5.19
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Sauté onion and poblano until caramelized
  • Toast the spice blend briefly
  • Blend chipotle chilies with broth for viscosity
  • Simmer with chicken and corn to finish
  • Adjust final salt before serving

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter – use a splatter guard if needed
  • Chipotle chilies are very spicy – handle with gloves if sensitive
  • Use caution when operating the immersion blender near hot liquid

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Chicken Tortilla Soup in Mexican cuisine?

A

Chicken tortilla soup, known as sopa de tortilla, originates from Mexican home cooking where leftover chicken, tortillas, and pantry staples are combined into a comforting broth. It reflects the Mexican tradition of turning simple, inexpensive ingredients into a flavorful, communal dish often served at family gatherings and cooler evenings.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Chicken Tortilla Soup in Mexican cuisine?

A

In central Mexico, the soup often features fried tortilla strips, avocado, and queso fresco, while coastal versions may add seafood or use a lighter broth. Some regions add roasted tomatillos for acidity, and others incorporate different chilies like pasilla or guajillo for varied heat levels.

cultural
Q

How is authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup traditionally served in Mexico?

A

It is traditionally served hot in a deep bowl, topped with crisp tortilla strips, diced avocado, crumbled cheese (such as queso fresco or aged white cheddar), fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of crema or sour cream. The garnishes are added just before eating to preserve texture.

cultural
Q

During which occasions is Chicken Tortilla Soup traditionally enjoyed in Mexican culture?

A

It is a popular comfort food for everyday meals, but it also appears at family gatherings, holiday celebrations like Día de los Muertos, and cooler winter evenings when a warm, hearty soup is desired.

cultural
Q

What makes Chicken Tortilla Soup special in Mexican cuisine compared to other soups?

A

Its combination of smoky chipotle, the richness from rotisserie‑style chicken skin, and the textural contrast of crunchy tortilla chips, creamy avocado, and melted cheese creates a layered flavor profile that is both comforting and vibrant, embodying the Mexican love for balance of heat, acidity, and creaminess.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Soup versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include chicken broth, shredded chicken (often with skin), tomatillo or tomato base, chipotle chilies in adobo, corn, black or kidney beans, tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, lime, and queso fresco. Acceptable substitutes are canned diced tomatoes for tomatillos, frozen corn for fresh, and aged white cheddar in place of queso fresco.

cultural
Q

What other Mexican dishes pair well with Chicken Tortilla Soup?

A

It pairs nicely with Mexican rice, refried beans, fresh pico de gallo, grilled corn elote, or a simple side of guacamole and chips. A light margarita or agua fresca also complements the soup’s smoky heat.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Chicken Tortilla Soup?

A

Common mistakes include over‑cooking the garlic until it burns, skipping the toast of spices which reduces depth, discarding the bean liquid (which adds body), and adding all the salt at the end, leading to a flat flavor. Also, over‑crushing the tortilla chips makes them soggy.

technical
Q

Why does this Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe toast the spices instead of adding them directly?

A

Toasting the spices with the aromatics releases their essential oils, intensifying the smoky, sweet, and earthy notes. Adding them raw would result in a muted flavor and could leave a raw spice taste.

technical
Q

Can I make Chicken Tortilla Soup ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the broth and simmer the vegetables, then cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Add the shredded chicken and corn just before reheating. Store garnishes separately and add fresh avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, cheese, and sour cream at serving time.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Chicken Tortilla Soup is done?

A

The broth should be a deep reddish‑orange with a velvety mouthfeel, slightly thick from blended beans and chipotle. The vegetables should be tender, the corn bright yellow, and the chicken moist. Garnishes should remain crisp and fresh when added.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Brian Lagerstrom specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Brian Lagerstrom focuses on straightforward, budget‑friendly home cooking tutorials that emphasize flavor, technique shortcuts, and practical tips for everyday meals, often featuring pantry‑based recipes and quick weeknight solutions.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Brian Lagerstrom's approach to Mexican cooking differ from other Mexican cooking channels?

A

Brian Lagerstrom blends classic Mexican flavor profiles with American convenience, using store‑bought rotisserie chicken and canned ingredients while still teaching authentic techniques like toasting spices and blending chipotle for depth. This pragmatic style contrasts with channels that insist on making every component from scratch.

channel

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