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Cozy Chicken Tortilla Soup

cozy chicken tortilla soup - featured image

A comforting and easy-to-make chicken tortilla soup featuring smoky chipotle, roasted tomatoes, and tender shredded chicken, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasting and sautéing)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large Roma tomatoes, halved
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • Handful of crispy tortilla strips
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • Lime wedges
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place halved Roma tomatoes and chipotle peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes until tomatoes are softened and slightly charred.
  2. While roasting, heat remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  3. Transfer roasted tomatoes and chipotle peppers to a blender. Add 1 cup chicken broth and blend until smooth. Blend in batches if needed, venting lid slightly to prevent pressure buildup.
  4. Pour blended tomato mixture into the pot with sautéed onions and garlic. Add remaining chicken broth, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in shredded chicken, black beans, and corn. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until heated through. For creamier texture, scoop out about 2 cups of soup, blend until smooth, then stir back in.
  6. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Roasting the tomatoes and chipotle peppers is key for smoky depth. Blend part of the soup for a creamy texture without losing chunkiness. Use rotisserie chicken to save time. Adjust spice level by varying chipotle peppers. For dairy-free, omit cheese and sour cream or use coconut yogurt. For gluten-free, ensure tortilla strips are gluten-free or make your own from corn tortillas.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tortilla soup, cozy soup, chipotle soup, easy chicken soup, comfort food, homemade soup, weeknight dinner