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Cozy Grandma’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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A warm, smoky, and comforting chicken tortilla soup with tender chicken, smoky spices, and crispy homemade tortilla strips. Easy to prepare and perfect for cozy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 10.5 oz)
  • 4 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
  • Cooking oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Sour cream or Mexican crema (optional)
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Dice the onion, mince garlic and jalapeño, shred cooked chicken, and cut corn tortillas into thin strips about 1/4 inch wide. Set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics (5 minutes): Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Toast Spices (1-2 minutes): Add cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir constantly to toast spices gently without burning.
  4. Add Liquids & Tomatoes (5 minutes): Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes with juice. Stir to combine, scraping browned bits off the pot bottom. Add minced chipotle pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer & Build Flavor (15 minutes): Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Add Chicken & Lime Juice (2 minutes): Stir in shredded chicken and lime juice. Warm through for about 2 minutes.
  7. Make Tortilla Strips (5 minutes): Heat 1/2 inch oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry tortilla strips in batches until golden and crisp, about 1-2 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
  8. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls. Top with tortilla strips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Add a lime wedge on the side.

Notes

Use organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes for authentic depth. Corn tortillas make this naturally gluten-free. For a lighter taste, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth. To reduce oil in tortilla strips, air fry at 375°F for 5 minutes. Avoid overcooking chicken to keep it tender. Adjust chipotle pepper to control heat. Blend a cup of soup for a creamier texture without cream. Store tortilla strips separately to keep them crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tortilla soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, Mexican soup, cozy soup, tortilla strips, chipotle soup

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/cozy-grandmas-chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/