The Art of Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup Creation and Assembly

Perfect Chicken Cooking Mastery

Master the technique of poaching chicken to achieve tender, juicy, easily shredable texture.

Flavor Building Excellence

Learn the skill of layering aromatics and spices to create deep, complex Mexican flavor.

Tortilla Strip Perfection

Perfect the method of achieving crispy, golden tortilla strips with ideal crunch.

Topping Balance Technique

Master the art of combining creamy, crunchy, fresh, and tangy toppings in harmony.

Serving Presentation

Learn optimal bowl assembly techniques for maximum visual appeal and flavor experience.

Mexican Soup Mastery Secrets for Perfect Loaded Chicken Tortilla Bowl

Chicken Options: Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep or cook chicken directly in the soup.

Spice Level: Adjust heat by adding more or less jalapeño and cayenne pepper to taste.

Tortilla Strips: Make fresh for best texture or use store-bought for convenience.

Make Ahead: Soup tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.

Freezer Friendly: Freeze soup without toppings for up to 3 months for easy meals.

Topping Freedom: Let everyone customize their bowl with their favorite toppings for perfect personalization.

Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Toppings and Crispy Strips

Name: Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Toppings and Crispy Strips
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: For the Chicken Base:; 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; 4 cups chicken broth; 2 cups water; 1 bay leaf; For the Soup Foundation:; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced; For the Tomato Base:; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; For the Vegetables:; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed; 1.5 cups frozen corn kernels; For the Seasoning Blend:; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; For the Crispy Tortilla Strips:; 6 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt

The ultimate loaded chicken tortilla soup featuring tender shredded chicken, vibrant vegetables, aromatic spices, and an array of fresh toppings crowned with crispy tortilla strips. This hearty Mexican-inspired comfort food masterpiece combines rich tomato broth with perfectly seasoned chicken, black beans, and sweet corn, creating an unforgettable bowl of warmth that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with layers of texture from crunchy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, tangy lime, and melted cheese perfect for dinner, meal prep, or any time you crave a satisfying bowl of southwestern comfort.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

30 Minutes

Total Time

50 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Chicken Base:

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 bay leaf

For the Soup Foundation:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeño, seeded and diced

For the Tomato Base:

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

For the Vegetables:

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

1.5 cups frozen corn kernels

For the Seasoning Blend:

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Crispy Tortilla Strips:

6 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Fresh Toppings:

2 avocados, diced

1 cup sour cream

1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

3 limes, cut into wedges

For the Flavor Enhancers:

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon hot sauce

For the Garnish Options:

Sliced radishes

Diced red onion

Pickled jalapeños

Fresh cilantro sprigs

For Special Equipment:

Large Dutch oven or soup pot

Baking sheet for tortilla strips

Tongs

Ladle

Instructions

Place chicken breasts in large pot with broth, water, and bay leaf.

Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until cooked through.

Remove chicken from pot, reserve cooking liquid, and let chicken cool slightly.

Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks and set aside.

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.

Stir in minced garlic and jalapeño, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Add bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened.

Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.

Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and reserved chicken cooking liquid.

Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

Bring soup to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add black beans, corn, and shredded chicken to the soup.

Stir in lime juice, honey, and hot sauce for balanced flavor.

Simmer for additional 10 minutes to meld all flavors together.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F for making crispy tortilla strips.

Toss tortilla strips with vegetable oil and salt on baking sheet.

Bake tortilla strips for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Taste soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Remove bay leaf from soup before serving.

Ladle hot soup into individual bowls generously.

Top each bowl with crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese, and sour cream.

Add diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges to each serving.

Serve immediately while soup is hot and tortilla strips are crispy.

Pass additional toppings at table for customization preferences.

Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Toppings and Crispy Strips

JUE

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

The Art of Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup Creation and Assembly

Ultimate Loaded Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fresh Toppings and Crispy Strips

Ingredients

Instructions