A classic weeknight soup filled with corn, beans, and tomatoes.

Is Chicken Tortilla Soup Authentic Mexican Food?

Yes, authentic chicken tortilla soup is very similar to the version in this recipe.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup in bowls to serve

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The traditional recipe for chicken tortilla soup uses chicken broth, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and chiles.

Then, it’s topped with fried tortilla strips.

Adapted versions like this one add ingredients like corn and beans for a bit more heft.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup ingredients

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Here’s what you’ll need to make this soup:

Ingredient Tips

Out of tortilla strips?

Make your own by slicing corn tortillas into 1/3-inch strips and cook quickly in about 1/4 cup hot oil.

Here’s an outline of the process.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup in a bowl to serve topped with avocado, tortilla strips, and lime

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In place of the fresh cilantro and sour cream, you could make thisCilantro-Lime Crema.

Recipe Variations

Chicken tortilla soup is versatile, and our Test Kitchen agrees.

What To Serve With Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soup is a one-dish meal for most folks.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup cooking the onion and poblano

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So if you have some soup remaining after dinner, keep it for another meal or two.

cantomato sauce

1 (15oz.

)canblack beans, drained and rinsed

1(10-oz.)

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup adding the seasonings to the pan

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canfire-roasteddiced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained (such as Rotel)

2(16-oz.

Bring to a boil over medium-high; stir in chicken.

Carefully transfer chicken to a cutting board using tongs.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla soup adding the chicken

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Shred chicken:

Let chicken stand until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.

Shred into bite-size pieces using 2 forks; discard bones, or save for another use.

Remove soup from heat; stir in cilantro and lime juice.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup removing the chicken after it has cooked through

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Masa is a corn flour and is often used to thicken traditional Mexican soups.

Combine some masa with water, then pour it into the soup while the chicken simmers.

It’ll thicken up the soup as it cooks.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup shredding the chicken

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Chicken tortilla soup is a great make-ahead and freezable soup.

Divide the soup into freezer-safe, airtight containers.

Freeze up to 3 months.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla soup adding the cilantro and lime juice to the soup

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When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the soup overnight in the fridge.

Then reheat on the stove, adding chicken stock if needed for the right consistency.

Southern Living Chicken Tortilla Soup topped with tortilla strips and avocado slices

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