30-Min Chicken Tortilla Soup for Fall Nights 2025

There’s nothing quite like a hearty, flavorful bowl of chicken tortilla soup to warm you up from the inside out.

Whether you’re curled up on the couch on a chilly fall evening or just craving a big bowl of comfort, this easy homemade soup delivers every single time.

Packed with tender shredded chicken, crisp tortilla strips, and bold Mexican spices, this dish is as soul-satisfying as it gets.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the ultimate chicken tortilla soup recipe step-by-step. It’s cozy, it’s easy, and it’s incredibly delicious.

Let’s dive into the magic of one-pot cooking and get ready to fall in love with this crave-worthy classic.

🧡 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tortilla Soup

If you’re craving something comforting, flavorful, and just a little spicy, this chicken tortilla soup will quickly become your go-to. It’s a bowl full of textures and tastes that dance together in perfect harmony.

Here’s why this recipe is a winner:

🥄 1. It’s Packed with Flavor

From the smoky cumin and chili powder to the zesty lime and garlicky base, every spoonful bursts with bold, savory flavor. The simmering process pulls everything together, turning simple ingredients into a rich, well-balanced soup.

🧅 2. It’s All About Texture

This soup isn’t just a liquid meal. It’s got crunchy, creamy, and tender going on at the same time. The crispy tortilla strips are a must, and when paired with soft beans, juicy corn, and shredded chicken, every bite feels complete.

🔥 3. Customizable Spice Level

Love heat? Add two jalapeños. Prefer it mild? Just go with one or skip them entirely. You’re in control of how fiery this soup gets.

🥑 4. The Garnishes Make It Gourmet

Think beyond tortilla strips. This soup turns into a complete meal with toppings like creamy avocado, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure, but with toppings.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a complete look at all the ingredients used in the recipe, neatly organized so you can prep your shopping list with ease:

Optional Garnishes:

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

This isn’t your average soup; it’s an intensely flavorful, texturally rich, one-pot wonder that feels like a hug in a bowl. Follow along as we break it down step by step, with all the tips, tricks, and cozy details you need to nail it every time.

🔥 Step 1: Make Your Crispy Tortilla Strips

Let’s kick things off with the crunchy, crispy tortilla strips that add that signature bite to every bowl.

Start by grabbing four yellow corn tortillas. These are the real deal, don’t swap them out for flour unless you’re in a pinch. Flour tortillas don’t crisp the same and won’t hold their texture in the soup.

Stack the tortillas and use a sharp knife to slice them into thin, even strips. Think fry-size or matchstick-width. These little guys are going to puff and crisp beautifully in hot oil.

Next, heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Let the oil get nice and hot, but not smoking. You want it shimmering before the tortillas go in.

Carefully add the strips in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of crisp. Stir occasionally, and cook them for about 1 minute.

That’s all it takes! As soon as they’re golden and crunchy, lift them out with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

While they’re still warm, sprinkle with ⅛ teaspoon of salt for that irresistible snack-worthy finish.

🔁 Pro Tip: Make double. Trust me. These disappear before the soup is even served.

🧅 Step 2: Prep Your Veggies

While the oil heats or the tortilla strips fry, you can prepare some vegetables.

Start with one medium to large onion. Peel it and dice it up into small pieces. Use the “vertical-and-horizontal-cut” method: slice vertically almost all the way through, then horizontally, chop down. Use your knuckles as a guide to protect your fingers—no tears, no cuts, all flavor.

Next up: jalapeños. You’ll need one or two, depending on your spice level. If you prefer mild flavors, opt for one and remove the seeds and ribs. Like it hot? Use both, and leave some seeds in. Either way, dice them finely.

🧤 Safety note: If your jalapeños are particularly spicy, wear gloves. The oils can irritate your skin and cause serious discomfort if you touch your eyes or face. (Ask me how I know.)

Lastly, prep your garlic. The recipe uses about three cloves. You can mince it finely, or use a garlic press for ease. A press works great here and saves time. Whatever you do, avoid that pre-minced garlic in a jar; it doesn’t deliver the same flavor.

🥘 Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Time to start building the flavor foundation.

With the tortilla strips done, keep that Dutch oven on the stove. You should still have some oil at the bottom. If not, add a splash more olive oil and bring the heat to medium.

Add the diced onion and jalapeño to the pot and stir frequently. You want the onion to soften and become translucent, not browned. This should take around 4 minutes.

Once the onion starts to look glossy and fragrant, add the garlic. Whether it’s pressed or minced, stir it in and cook for another 30–60 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells heavenly.

🔥 Tip: Stir constantly at this stage. Garlic can burn fast, and burnt garlic is no one’s friend.

🍅 Step 4: Add the Soup Ingredients

Now for the fun part, turning this into an actual soup!

Start by pouring in 4 cups of chicken broth. You can use homemade, store-bought, or low-sodium, depending on your preference. Just make sure it’s rich and flavorful; it’s the backbone of your soup.

Then add the following:

• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1½ cups of frozen corn (or fresh corn, if it’s in season)
• 1 (28 oz) can of crushed tomatoes

This combo brings sweetness, earthiness, and acidity all at once.

Next, bring in the spices:

• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin – for that warm, smoky base note
• 1½ teaspoons of chili powder – choose mild or hot depending on your heat tolerance
• ½ teaspoon of salt to start (we’ll adjust later)
• ½ teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper

Now nestle in your raw chicken breasts, about 1 to 1½ pounds. Just lay them gently into the simmering broth. They’ll poach right in the soup and absorb all that amazing flavor as they cook.

🐔 Want it super meaty? Feel free to go up to 2 pounds of chicken.

Give everything a good stir to combine, and get ready for the magic to happen.

⏲️ Step 5: Simmer Until Perfect

Crank the heat up to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer.

This stage is crucial. The flavors need time to blend, and the chicken needs time to cook through. Let it simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

You’ll notice the soup starts to reduce slightly, that’s a good thing! As the steam escapes, it leaves behind a thicker, more flavorful broth.

Want a thinner soup? You can always add more chicken broth or even water at the end.

During this time, feel free to prep your garnishes. Slice some avocado, chop up cilantro, or shred your cheese of choice. Soup night is coming together!

🍗 Step 6: Shred the Chicken

Once your chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F or it pulls apart easily), it’s time to shred.

Use tongs to lift the chicken breasts out of the pot and place them on a cutting board or plate. Grab two forks and start pulling the meat apart into bite-sized shreds.

You can shred it as chunky or fine as you like. If you’re feeding little kids, go for smaller portions. If you’re like me and want hearty bites, leave it a bit rustic.

Once shredded, return the chicken to the pot and stir it all back in. It’ll soak up all that tomatoey, spiced broth like a sponge. Delicious.

Bonus: The soup should be thicker now and absolutely bursting with color and aroma.

🍋 Step 7: Add the Lime Juice

Here comes the finishing touch, and it’s non-negotiable.

Cut one juicy lime in half and squeeze it directly into the soup. Stir to combine.

This single step takes the whole dish from warm and savory to bright and vibrant. Lime juice balances the richness of the broth, adds acidity, and enhances every other flavor in the pot.

Not a lime person? Try lemon or a splash of red wine vinegar. But seriously—don’t skip the acid.

Now’s also the time to taste your soup. It may need a touch more salt, another squeeze of lime, or a pinch of chili powder if you prefer a spicy flavor.

🥑 How to Garnish Chicken Tortilla Soup

The beauty of chicken tortilla soup isn’t just in its bold, smoky flavor. It’s in how you finish it. The garnishes take this soup from “really good” to “wow, did you make this from scratch?!”

Here’s the fun part: you get to make it your own.

Below are my favorite toppings (and some optional extras) that give this soup texture, flavor, and visual appeal:

⭐ Must-Have Garnishes

• Crispy tortilla strips
  These are non-negotiable. They’re crunchy, salty, and the perfect contrast to the warm broth. Make extra, they tend to get stolen right off the tray before the soup is even served!
• Fresh avocado slices
  Creamy, buttery avocado adds a cooling balance to the soup’s heat. It also looks gorgeous nestled on top of the bowl.
• Sour cream
  A dollop of sour cream swirled into the soup adds richness and helps mellow out the spice. Greek yogurt is also a great option if you prefer a healthier choice.

💡 Flavor-Boosting Extras

• Shredded cheese
  Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even crumbled cotija melt slightly into the hot broth—so good!
• Fresh cilantro
  Add as much as your heart desires. Bright, herbaceous, and full of personality. In my house, we call it “the flavor confetti.”
• Sliced scallions or red onion
  These add a pop of color and a fresh bite that cuts through the richness.
• Thinly sliced cabbage
  This might sound unusual, but it’s very traditional in soups like pozole. It adds crunch, volume, and even more texture.
• Lime wedges
  Extra lime is always a good idea. Let everyone adjust the acidity to their own liking.

🧠 5 Tips for the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Ever

Want to take your soup from good to absolutely unforgettable? Here are five tips straight from the kitchen to help you get it just right every time.

1. Don’t Skip the Lime

A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens all the flavors. It balances the richness of the tomatoes, spices, and chicken. If you skip this step, your soup will still be good, but it won’t have that “zing” that makes people go back for seconds.

Pro tip: If you don’t have lime, a dash of vinegar or lemon juice can also do the trick.

2. Use Fresh Garlic (Not the Jarred Stuff)

Pressed or freshly minced garlic adds depth and warmth. Jarred garlic just doesn’t compare in flavor and can leave a bitter aftertaste.

Hate mincing? Get a garlic press, it’s a total game changer and saves loads of time.

3. Simmer, Don’t Boil

Once you’ve added your ingredients, bring the soup to a boil and then immediately lower it to a gentle simmer. A slow simmer gives the ingredients time to meld, develop richness, and keeps the chicken tender.

Boiling too hard can make the chicken rubbery and the soup cloudy.

4. Make More Tortilla Strips Than You Think You Need

Everyone will sneak one (or ten) before dinner. These crispy bits are addictive—and they’re essential for that classic texture. Plus, they store well and can be added to salads or chilis throughout the week.

Need a shortcut? Store-bought tortilla chips are a good substitute, but homemade is always better.

🍽️ What to Serve With Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is delicious on its own, but it can also be part of a larger, cozy meal. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weeknight or hosting friends for a casual dinner, here are some of the best pairings:

🫓 1. Warm Cornbread or Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

A slightly sweet or cheesy bread is perfect for dunking. It’s the comfort food combo of dreams.

🧀 2. Cheese Quesadillas

Keep it simple with gooey melted cheese in a crispy tortilla. Serve them cut into triangles for easy dipping.

🥗 3. Fresh Side Salad

Balance the soup’s warmth with a cool, crunchy salad—think romaine, avocado, tomatoes, and a zesty lime vinaigrette.

🍚 4. Mexican Rice or Cilantro-Lime Rice

Serve a small scoop alongside or under the soup for a heartier meal.

🌮 5. Mini Tacos or Street-Style Tacos

Tacos and soup? Yes, please! They pair beautifully, allowing guests to enjoy a little bit of everything.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Chicken tortilla soup is one of those rare meals that’s equal parts cozy, bold, and customizable. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, quick weeknight dinners, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Whether you’re here for the shredded chicken, the rich tomato broth, or the crunchy homemade tortilla strips, you’re going to fall in love with every flavorful bite.

This soup isn’t just a recipe, it’s an experience. With just one pot and a few pantry staples, you can transform an ordinary night into something comforting, satisfying, and full of personality.

So go ahead, make it your own, load it up with your favorite toppings, and don’t forget that final squeeze of lime; it truly makes all the difference.

From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking and even happier slurping. 🍲💛

🍽️ Craving More Comfort in a Bowl? Try These Next:

• 👉 Crispy Sweet Potato Fries Recipe in Just 30 Minutes
  The perfect crunchy side to dip into your leftover soup or enjoy on its own!
• 👉 Best Chili Con Carne Recipe for Cozy Fall Nights
  Hearty, smoky, and packed with tender beef, this one’s a cold-weather essential.
• 👉 Quick 15-Min Black Bean Soup Recipe for Fall
  Fast, filling, and full of plant-based protein. Great for meal prep or Meatless Mondays.

imrafiul

The brain behind FoodBears.com, Rafiul Islam, has diverse talents and passions. Professionally an architect, Rafiul has always been interested in design and structure. His architectural background is evident in how FoodBears.com has been meticulously designed, ensuring an intuitive user experience that appeals to food enthusiasts of all kinds. But what truly sets Rafiul apart is his love for food and his knack for search engine optimization (SEO).