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Hearty Classic Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe with Crispy Strips

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A comforting and flavorful chicken tortilla soup featuring smoky spices, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and crispy homemade tortilla strips for a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium poblano pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4–5 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
  • Vegetable oil for frying (or olive oil)
  • Pinch of salt for sprinkling
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil and sear the chicken until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add diced onion and poblano pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and toast spices for about 1 minute.
  4. Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes with juices and chicken broth. Scrape up browned bits from the pot. Return chicken to pot and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.
  5. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to pot along with frozen corn. Stir and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
  6. While soup simmers, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to about 350°F. Fry tortilla strips in batches until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
  7. Taste soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and cheese if using.

Notes

Keep oil at medium-high heat and fry tortilla strips in small batches to avoid sogginess or burning. Toast spices to enhance flavor. Use fresh lime juice to brighten soup before serving. Store tortilla strips separately to maintain crispness. Can substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tortilla soup, crispy tortilla strips, comfort food, easy soup recipe, smoky chicken soup, homemade tortilla strips

Find it online: https://evabake.com/hearty-classic-chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe-with-crispy-strips-easy-and-delicious/