Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a warm, hearty hug in a bowl. Shredded chicken, black beans, and corn simmer in a rich, creamy broth with just the right amount of spice. Top it with crunchy tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime, and you've got a simple, satisfying meal that's ready in no time!

A bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup topped with sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and a tortilla chip, with a lime wedge on the side.

The Best Creamy Tortilla Soup

I absolutely love this tortilla soup - it's one of those recipes that never fails to hit the spot. It's hearty, flavorful and packed with all the things I crave in a comforting bowl of soup: tender chicken, creamy beans and a zesty, spice-infused broth!

What makes it even better is how easy it is to customize with your favorite toppings - think creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla chips and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Whenever I make this, it disappears in no time - we always find myself going back for seconds. However, if you're lucky enough to have leftovers, you can easily reheat it later or freeze for another time.

If you're looking for a simple yet incredibly satisfying meal, this tortilla soup is sure to become one of your go-to favorites too!

A ladle serves a creamy soup with shredded chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and herbs in a pot.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • x
Ingredients for a dish including black beans, chicken broth, corn, shredded chicken, heavy cream, chili powder, diced tomatoes, onion, olive oil, jalapeño, salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this chicken tortilla soup recipe:

  • Olive oil
  • Onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Jalapeño
  • Ground cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Chicken broth
  • Cooked shredded chicken
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Black beans
  • Corn
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup with sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, lime wedge, dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro.

Substitutions & variations

Mix things up with one of these variations:

  • To make this soup vegetarian, omit the chicken and replace it with extra beans or veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Adjust the spice to your liking by adding more or less jalapeño, chili powder or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • For a lighter option, use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

You can make this easy soup recipe in a few simple steps:

Chopped onions and green peppers sautéing in a steel pan with red and brown spices in the center, on a marble countertop.
Sautéed onions and peppers in a stainless steel pot on a marble countertop.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Stir in cumin and chili powder, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

A pot on a marble surface contains shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn.
A pot of soup with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes on a marble countertop.

Add the chicken broth, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.

Pouring cream into a pot of tomato-based soup with visible herbs and vegetables.
A pot of creamy tomato-based soup with a swirl of cream and sprinkled herbs on a marble countertop.

Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve the soup with tortilla chips and your choice of toppings.

A pot of creamy chicken tortilla soup with tomatoes, black beans, and herbs, with a ladle lifting a portion. Avocado, lime wedges, and tortilla chips surround the pot.

Tortilla Soup Toppings

The toppings are what make this taco soup so delicious and fun for the whole family. Try a few of these ideas:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Hot sauce
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado slices or guacamole
  • Cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Crushed or whole tortilla chips

Storage Tips

To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm it up in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to reheat. If the soup thickens too much, you can add a little extra broth to thin it out.

To freeze: To freeze, make the soup without the cream and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the soup, reheat it, and then add the cream. Soups with dairy can separate when frozen.

A bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup topped with sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, a lime wedge, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Nearby are avocado and lime slices.

Tips for Success

  • For a quick option, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken breasts or thighs. Shredded chicken from leftovers also works perfectly.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) before adding the heavy cream.

What to Serve with Tortilla Soup

Tortilla chips, crusty bread, or a side salad work great with this soup. You can also serve it with toppings like shredded cheese, avocado, and cilantro for added texture and flavor.

Creamy chicken tortilla soup with black beans, jalapeño slices, cheese, sour cream, and a lime wedge, garnished with cilantro. Tortilla chips on the side.

FAQ

How do I make a thicker soup?

If you prefer a thicker soup, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) before adding the heavy cream.

What kind of chicken is used in tortilla soup?

For a quick option, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken breasts or thighs. Shredded or diced chicken from leftovers also works perfectly.

More Soup Recipes

A bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup topped with sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, a lime wedge, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Nearby are avocado and lime slices.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
No ratings yet
This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, comforting bowl of shredded chicken, black beans, and corn in a creamy, spiced broth, topped with crunchy tortilla chips and a squeeze of lime for an easy, satisfying meal!
Print Pin Leave Rating

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 whole garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium jalapeño seeded and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn fresh, canned, or frozen
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • optional toppings shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro, lime wedges, tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in cumin and chili powder, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken broth, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.
  • Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Serve the soup with tortilla chips and your choice of toppings.

Notes

For a quick option, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken breasts or thighs. Shredded chicken from leftovers also works perfectly.
If you prefer a thicker soup, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) before adding the heavy cream.
To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm it up in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to reheat. If the soup thickens too much, you can add a little extra broth to thin it out.
To freeze: To freeze, make the soup without the cream and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the soup, reheat it, and then add the cream. Soups with dairy can separate when frozen.
Vegetarion option: Omit the chicken and replace it with extra beans or veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Adjust the spice level: Adjust the spice to your liking by adding more or less jalapeño, chili powder, or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
For a lighter option, use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 934kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 99g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 42g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 599mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
A woman with long brown hair wearing a gray shirt smiles in front of a background featuring green foliage and yellow fruit.
Hey friend, I'm Madison!

My friends call me Mad and you can too. Here you'll find easy, wholesome recipes, and designed to share with those you love.

🚀 30 Minutes to Dinner Magic

Grab kid tested recipes that actually work for busy families who want wholesome meals without the stress!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.