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    Home >> Soups

    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Modified: May 11, 2025 · Published: Jan 25, 2020 by Analida · • Word count:917 words. • About 5 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    One of my favorite Mexican style soups. This is a super simple bowl of comfort food! Creamy chicken tortilla soup is cheesy, spicy and smooth to warm you on a cold day! Add some tortilla chips for some crunch too. | ethnicspoon.com

    This low carb chicken soup doesn't skimp on flavor. It's definitely soup weather up here in the frozen north. So many soups, so little time! Today, creamy chicken tortilla soup is on the menu. I hate to call this a copycat recipe, because my intention was not to make it taste exactly the same as the restaurant version, but to improve it. In essence, I'm striving for the best chicken tortilla soup recipe. 

     

    a striped bowl filled with tortilla soup and cilantro with chips on the saucer
    Jump to:
    • Step by step photos
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Card

    Creamy chicken tortilla soup is totally comfort food and love topping it with the colorful tortilla strips you find next to the croutons at the grocery store because they make the soup look so pretty. I love to use homemade chicken stock, as well, but today I am in a hurry and just using the grocery store brand.  And just for the record, I used my own homemade chili powder; which you can find the recipe for on my blog.

    a bowl of chicken tortilla soup on a saucer with corn chips

    Step by step photos

    A collage of photos showing steps to make chicken tortilla soup in a large soup pot.

    1. Gather all your ingredients and have them measured out, chopped and ready to go before you start.
    2. Place the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot and melt on medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and jalapeños then sauté until the onions are translucent.
    3. Once the onions are very tender add the chicken breast and tomato. (For a spicy soup option use Rotel original
      diced tomato with chilies instead of diced tomato.) Add the cumin, salt, chili powder and tied sprigs of cilantro. Turn the heat to low, then cover and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
    4. Once the chicken is done remove it from the Dutch oven and toss the tied cilantro. Set the chicken on a cutting board and let it cool slightly for about 5 minutes then shred with 2 forks into small ¼ inch pieces.
    5. Pour the chicken stock and milk into the pot.
    6. Blend all the solids with an immersion blender until smooth.
    7. Place the cheddar cheese in a bowl and coat with the corn starch. Once coated add the cheese mixture to the pot ¼ cup at a time and stir constantly to melt into the soup. Repeat until all the cheese is added and melted evenly.
    8. Add the shredded chicken to the soup pot. Serve with chopped cilantro and tortilla strips.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How long can I save this soup? You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Be sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
    • Can I freeze this soup? No, since this soup contains dairy and it is best not to freeze because it will separate and will have a very grainy and unpleasant texture when thawed.

    My creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe goes great with a side salad which is exactly what my husband and I had for lunch today. There is definitely enough for me to pack in my lunch tomorrow. Yup, this soup also makes excellent leftovers. And, if you are looking for other soup recipes, my turkey burger soup is delicious too and also very easy to make. Finally, if a vegetarian soup is more your style, then check out my carrot coriander soup, an Irish recipe.   Another great chicken soup to try is Greek avgolemono with a tangy flavor and creamy texture. 

    Looking for more recipes?  
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook.

    One of my favorite Mexican style soups. This is a super simple bowl of comfort food! Creamy chicken tortilla soup is cheesy, spicy and smooth to warm you on a cold day! | ethnicspoon.com

    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Card

    Grab a bowl of comfort food! Creamy chicken tortilla soup is cheesy, spicy and smooth to warm you on a cold day! One of my favorite Mexican style soups.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chicken tortilla soup, creamy, Mexican flavors, spicy and cheesy, TexMex
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 341kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
    • 1 onion medium, diced
    • 1 jalapeno cored and diced
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
    • 14 oz diced tomatoes 1 can (spicy option: 1 can rotel original)
    • 6-8 sprigs of cilantro tied with twine
    • 2 tsp cumin
    • 2 tsp chili powder
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 4 cups chicken stock
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 ½ cups cheddar shredded
    • 2 tsp cornstarch
    • 3 Tbsp cilantro chopped

    Instructions

    Cook and season the chicken:

    • In a dutch oven melt the butter on medium heat. Sauté onions, garlic and jalapeño until the onions are translucent.
    • Add the chicken breast, and tomatoes. Toss in the tied cilantro sprigs, cumin, salt and chili powder. Turn down heat, cover, and cook until chicken is done with an internal temperature of 165°F.
    • Remove chicken from the dutch oven and discard the tied cilantro.
    • Shred chicken using two forks into very small ¼ inch pieces on a cutting board.

    Construct the soup:

    • Add chicken stock and milk into the dutch oven, and stir thoroughly. Blend with an immersion blender to break up the solids.
    • Place the cheddar cheese in a bowl and coat with the cornstarch.
    • Begin adding the cheese to the chicken stock mixture ¼ cup at a time. Make sure to stir well so all the cheese melts evenly.
    • Once all the cheese has been blended into the soup toss in the shredded chicken. Add the cilantro and serve. Top with tortilla strips.

    Notes

    Frequently Asked Questions:
    • How long can I save this soup? You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Be sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
    • Can I freeze this soup? No, since this soup contains dairy and it is best not to freeze because it will separate and will have a very grainy and unpleasant texture when thawed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 837IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 325mg | Iron: 2mg

     

    You might also like to try these:

    • Hummus Made With Greek Yogurt Recipe
      A bowl with hummus and za'atar with a wooden spoon.
    • Creamy Curry Chicken Salad Wraps
      Try a spicy new wrap! Creamy and spicy curry chicken salad wrap add a bit of ethnic flair to your lunch or dinner. You can also slice these narrow and serve as an appetizer too! The secret sauce: a bit of my homemade curry blend whipped into some Greek yogurt. This is a really healthy recipe wrapped in a large flour tortilla! | ethnicspoon.com
    • Traditional Greek Avgolemono Soup
      A photo of avgolemono soup in a ladle with a red pot and bowls.
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    782 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      October 03, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      This is right up my alley! I'm always happy to try a new soup recipe...we eat it nonstop this time of year. I have three different soups made from the last couple days in the fridge right now. I may have to put this one on the menu for next week!

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 04, 2016 at 2:50 pm

        Hi Michelle! Yes, check it out. I think you and your family will like it.

        Reply
    2. Kim~madeinaday

      October 04, 2016 at 9:41 am

      4 stars
      Looks great! Thanks for the recipe!Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on G+! Have a great week!
      Kim

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 04, 2016 at 2:51 pm

        You are welcome Kim! Always love sharing at Merry Monday! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kirsty Hijacked By Twins

      October 05, 2016 at 5:46 am

      Wow this soup looks and sounds delicious! Popping over from #recipeoftheweek x

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 05, 2016 at 4:11 pm

        Thanks Kirsty! It's one of my family's favorites.

        Reply
    4. Linda

      October 06, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds yummy. I think we are heading into cool weather food time at last. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend.

      Wishes for tasty dishes,
      Linda

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 06, 2016 at 5:34 pm

        Hi Linda! Thanks!!! Yes, it's that time of year. Glad to share.

        Reply
    5. Miz Helen

      October 11, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for sharing your awesome Chicken Tortilla Soup with us, it looks delicious. Hope you will come back to see us at Full Plate Thursday real soon and have a great week!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 13, 2016 at 2:44 pm

        Hi Miz Helen! Yes, I'll be back. Have a great week also!

        Reply
    6. JudyP

      August 11, 2019 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      Why would you throw away the Cilantro? We love it and put it in many, many things

      Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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