This easy 30 minute homemade chicken tortilla soup is a keeper. Want to make it even faster? Prep the ingredients the night before and use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own in the soup! Costco sells this kind of chicken pre-shredded and ready to go.
Looking for other soups that are quick and easy? This slow cooker veggie-packed black bean soup is a winner for the whole family and this immunity-boosting soup is a delicious germ-season staple!
Last night I was elated that David was home in time to help with bed and bath. I was tired from a busy day and just wanted to eat dinner and enjoy some silence. Then, a funny thing happened. As I kicked my feet up, ready to enjoy the peace, I really missed the girls.
What?
Yes, I know it sounds crazy. I had been begging for bedtime to hurry up and get here, then I wanted them to be awake again? Clearly I had lost my mind. I peeked in on them and had a moment of heavy hearted nostalgia and found myself wondering how to freeze time. Kaitlyn, all sprawled out on her belly, starfish-ed and peaceful. Hailey, arms curled up hugging her blanket and head on an actual pillow like an adult.
Right now I am able to mostly protect them from the outside world. Right now they think I’m the bees knees. Right now they are so innocent and loving. Right now. I really want to soak up right now.
So, that’s what I’m going to do today. I’m going to hit publish then go spend the day only with the girls. No side stuff.
But I don’t want to leave you empty handed, so in the blog world’s worst transition ever, I give you one of our favorite dinners- an easy 30 minute homemade chicken tortilla soup!
It’s spicy (if you want it to be), filling and can be altered in a million ways.
Add black beans to add more fiber.
Leave out the jalapeno seeds to knock it down a spice level.
Go topping crazy with avocado, diced red onion and tortilla strips.
Or, just leave it like this and I’m certain you’ll enjoy it.
Easy 30 Minute Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: serves 6
Description
A satisfying and quicker version of chicken tortilla soup!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 red pepper
- 1 green pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen (or canned) corn
- 1 jalapeno, minced (with seeds for added spice)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans Rotel
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 6 oz (1 small can) tomato paste
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish)
- For Garnish
- Sour cream
- cilantro
- lime
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Add garlic, onions and peppers. Stir well until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add corn, Rotel, spices, chicken broth, tomato paste and chicken.
- Bring to a boil, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the soup and shred, then return it to the soup.
- Squeeze juice from the lime into the soup, sprinkle in chopped cilantro, and stir.
- Top with garnish and serve!
Notes
This can also be made in a slow cooker. I have this slow cooker that has a saute function. I saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft, then add the remaining ingredients through the tomato paste. Stir to mix well, then nestle the chicken in the middle. Cook on low for 6 hours, then have it switch to warm. When you get home, remove and shred the chicken, then put it back into the soup. Squeeze in the lime and stir in the cilantro, then enjoy!
This is super kid friendly when you leave out the jalapenos and serve it with tortilla chips or a cheese quesadilla for dipping.
I’ll be eating the leftovers for lunch today and am pretty excited. Isn’t soup even better on the second day?!
Sherry says
Ahh-yes, I remember those days. Wanting to protect them from the outside world–anyone that would be unkind or take away their innocence. And though we can’t do that, they grow into really terrific people!
Marjorie says
This looks so great! I love soup in the fall. And YES, soup is absolutely better to me leftover.
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
yay for bad transitions haha #bloggerlife
I love lentil or split pea soup and spicy tortilla as well. Pinning!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve always wanted to try split pea but it never sounds appetizing. However, I know so many people love it!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
With ham it’s so good! And a great way to use up leftover ham or a ham bone if you ever feel like making your own.
Rachel says
Wow, this soup looks amazing! I’ll definitely be adding this to the menu this week. This may be a silly question, but do you add the chicken in raw? I assume so, because you shred it, but I just want to be sure 🙂
Rachel says
I’m actually wondering the same thing about the chicken 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, put it in raw! I felt weird about it at first, but was curious to try it to save time (and who wants another pan to clean?!) I looked into it and everything I found said it was perfectly fine, and even adds flavor (like making your own chicken broth). Just toss it in raw! 🙂
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I do the same thing!! If John David takes the baby so I can rest, I end up missing him!! Crazy right?
I love the spicy in this!!!
Brittany Dixon says
It’s a weird mommy trait isn’t it?! All you want is a break, then you don’t want to miss anything when someone helps you out. Ha!
Sarah says
This soup is so good! I made it with leftover salsa chicken (cooked in the crockpot for 6 hours on low) and omitted the jalapeño and cumin to compensate and wow this got rave reviews! Thanks for spotlighting it recently. Delish!!! Adding to the make again list for sure!
Brittany Dixon says
So glad you enjoyed it; thanks so much for your review! 🙂
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
I LOVE cheesy soups! If there’s cheese, I’m down! This one looks delicious! I’ve only ever had tortilla soup once in my life and it was amazing 😀
Alex says
I am so excited to try this soup and add it to our weekly rotation! I am obsessed with your Veggie Lentil and am sure I’ll love this one just as much! I’ll let you know 🙂
LaToya says
I made some tortilla soup this weekend! It’s my fave soup.
Brittany Greer says
This looks so, so good! You enjoy the day with the girls and I’ll go make this soup 🙂
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Mmmm that soup recipe does look delicious AND really easy.
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Yum! I love soup and am pretty sure I could eat it everyday! I might give this a try soon!
Caitlin M says
I made this tonight! AMAZING! I snuck a small bowl before my husband got home! I just couldn’t resist. I added rinsed (from the can) black beans and only had Rotel with green chiles and it is delicious! I did cook the chicken for a few minutes on the foreman just bc I was weird about putting raw chicken in it. Now that I know it’s fine, next time I will do raw! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Keri says
Made this last night and it was delicious!!! So easy too!