Delicious and healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup! This flavorful soup is filled with tender chicken, black beans, veggies, and topped with homemade crispy tortilla strips. It’s a healthy, delicious, and easy meal that is perfect to meal prep in advance of a quick and easy lunch or dinner. 

The Best Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Let’s talk healthy chicken tortilla soup!

I am a HUGE soup fan, ok? It is usually so easy to make, can be whipped up with just one large pot, and you get leftovers that somehow magically end up tasting even better as the days go on. It’s a WIN. This chicken tortilla soup is not only flavorful in it’s own right, but then you get to pile on all of your favorite toppings (umm…hello crispy tortilla strips!) and somehow it gets even better. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe: 

  • Healthy – which simply means that it is made with good for you, nutrient dense, real food ingredients that will nourish your body.
  • Quick – we’re talking around 30-40 minutes which makes it the perfect solution to your weeknight dinner woes.
  • Cozy – ok, is there anything more cozy and comforting than a hot bowl of soup? This one just wins all the comfort food awards!

healthy chicken tortilla soup ingredients

Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients

Chicken: you could use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe but chicken thighs tend to have more flavor and stay a bit more tender than chicken breast after simmering. 

Black beans: these add in an extra punch of protein and make the soup nice and hearty.

Veggies and aromatics: yellow onions, jalapeños, and garlic create a flavorful base for this soup.

Fire roasted crushed tomatoes: fire roasted tomatoes give this soup even more flavor. If you cannot find fire-roasted crushed tomatoes feel free to use regular crushed tomatoes instead.

Chicken broth: you could use veggie broth instead of chicken broth if you are keeping this soup vegetarian. I like to go with low-sodium broth to better control the amount of salt in the soup.

Spices: a combination of spices like cumin, chipotle powder, dried oregano, and paprika help to give this soup it’s flavor. If you don’t love a ton of spice then you can use less chipotle powder. 

Helpful Kitchen Tools

sautéed veggies in pot

How to Make This Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Step One: The first step in this recipe is to sear the chicken thighs. Searing the chicken helps to develop even more flavor in the soup. Be sure to liberally season the chicken with salt and pepper before searing. 

Step Two: Next, you’ll remove the chicken from the pot and sauté all your veggies and the spices. Heating the spices for a moment helps to toast them and bring out even more flavor.

Step Three:  Now, add the chicken back to the pot, and then pour in the crushed tomatoes, black beans, green chilies, chicken broth, and lime juice. Let the soup simmer for around thirty minutes. 

Step Four: While the soup is simmering is the perfect time make the crispy tortilla strips! 

Step Five: Remove the cooked chicken, use two forks to shred the meat, and then stir the chicken back into the pot. Then, pour in the full fat coconut milk, give the soup a stir, and simmer for another five minutes or so. 

Step Six: Now it’s time to finish the soup! Lower the heat, stir in the chopped cilantro, and give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning to taste. Ladle your finished soup into bowls and serve with all the toppings!

crispy tortilla strips on sheet pan

Homemade Crispy Tortilla Strips

One of the best ways to top this soup is with homemade crispy tortilla strips seasoned with lime juice and salt. While they might look a little complicated, making these crispy tortilla strips could not be easier.

Here’s how to make homemade tortilla strips: 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Cut a few corn tortillas into thin strips.
  • Spray the tortilla strips with a generous amount of non-stick cooking spray, like this one. (You could also toss them in avocado oil).
  • Spread the strips out in an even layer on a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake the strips at 375 degrees for ten to twelve minutes until the strips have browned a bit and are crispy.
  • While the strips are still hot, season them generously with salt and lime juice.

Tips, Tricks, and Frequently Asked Questions

  • Want to make a vegetarian version of this soup? Leave out the chicken and instead add in an extra can of black beans plus your favorite veggies.
  • This is a great base recipe to get creative with. Some of my favorite veggies to add to this soup are diced bell peppers, fresh corn (stir it in at the end), zucchini, mushrooms, baby spinach or even kale.
  • This recipes calls one pound of chicken but feel free to add half a pound or a pound more if you want an even heartier soup.
  • Want a creamier tortilla soup? Replace or two cups of chicken broth with full fat canned coconut milk.
  • Don’t feel like making the crispy tortilla strips? Feel free to use tortilla chips instead.

broth being poured into soup pot

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Slow Cooker

You can easily make this soup in the slow cooker. Here’s how: 

  • Sear the chicken and sauté the veggies
  • Add the chicken and veggies to the base of a slow cooker
  • Add the broth, black beans, crushed tomatoes, spices, and lime juice to the slow cooker
  • Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender
  • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the meat and then stir the chicken back into the soup.
  • Stir in the chopped cilantro before serving

Can You Freeze Chicken Tortilla Soup?

Yes! Once the soup has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer safe storage container and place in the freezer. Once you are ready to use the frozen soup, I recommend letting it thaw in the fridge and then reheating on the stove top for the best results.

Delicious Soup Toppings and Ways to Serve

While this soup is delicious all on it’s own, the toppings make it even better. Feel free to get creative and add your favorites. Here are a few of my personal favorite recommendations:

  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Cilantro
  • Cotija cheese
  • Green onion
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Avocado
  • Crispy tortilla strips

chicken tortilla soup in bowls with toppings

More Reader Favorite Soup Recipes

You can get all of the best healthy soup recipes, here!

I hope you give this Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup a try! It’s full of flavor and so easy to make!

If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on Instagram. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.

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healthy chicken tortilla soup in bowl with spoon

Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 24 reviews
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Flavorful and healthy chicken tortilla soup made with tender chicken, black beans, veggies, and topped with crispy tortilla strips. This easy soup is a delicious and easy meal that is perfect to meal prep in advance of a quick and easy lunch or dinner. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or ghee
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon cumin 
  • ½ tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/21  teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 28 oz fire roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 215 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 14 oz green chilies
  • 4 cups chicken broth 
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 1 cup full fat canned coconut milk
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
  • sliced green onion, for serving
  • 4 corn tortillas
  • non-stick avocado oil cooking spray
  • sliced avocado, for serving
  • shredded sharp cheddar cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Once hot, add in a tablespoon of avocado oil or ghee. 
  2. Liberally season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add the chicken thighs to the pot and sear the meat for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove from the pot.  
  3. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and diced jalapeno to the pot and saute for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent. 
  4. Add the cumin, paprika, dried oregano, chipotle powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot and saute for an additional minute. 
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, black beans, green chilies, broth, and lime juice. Stir until well combined and then add the chicken back to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 25 – 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. 
  6. While the soup is simmering make the crispy tortilla strips. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut a few corn tortillas into thin strips. Spray the tortilla strips with a generous amount of non-stick cooking spray. Spread the strips out in an even layer on a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake the strips at 375 degrees for ten to twelve minutes until the strips have browned a bit and are crispy. While the tortilla strips are still hot, season them generously with salt and lime juice. Set aside. 
  7. Remove the chicken from the pot, use two forks to shred the meat, and then add it back to the pot. Stir in the full fat coconut milk and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes. 
  8. Lower the heat, stir in the chopped cilantro, and give the soup a taste. Adjust the seasoning to taste. 
  9. Serve the soup with chopped cilantro, sliced green onion, tortilla strips, crispy tortilla strips, and cheese.

Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eat

 

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46 Comments

  1. This soup was so flavorful! I like the addition of coconut milk. This is my new favourite tortilla soup recipe.






  2. Judy Breckling says:

    The green chilies? Is it one to four green chilies or a 4-ounce can of green chilies?

    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Hi Judy, it’s one 4ounce can! Hope that helps!

  3. This was so excellent! What a tasty soup, it came together quickly and easily, thank you! A success.






  4. its my first try making it i always get the store bought one from costo. but my daughter ask me to make it. i gave it a shot! and it was a hit! i didnt follow to add the coconut milk. i forgot to buy it but i replaced it with heavy cream ( i have leftover, i only had 1 cup) i didnt add make the strips only grab the store bought. BUT ABSOLUTELY an additional to my fall/winter soups. THank you!






  5. Brooke Schmidt says:

    10/10 – this is not your average, basic, chicken tortilla soup! The flavors are elevated – I love it!!






    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      thanks, Brooke!

  6. This is a family favorite! I always double the recipe for leftovers. The flavors blend together so well. Thanks, Ashlea!






  7. This recipe was easy to put together and the flavors came together really well. My kids (ages 11 & 13) went back for seconds! I can’t wait to reheat this for my lunch tomorrow!






  8. I can’t even believe how good this recipe is. I made it this afternoon for dinner tonight, and I keep going back to the pot to taste it again. This is a winner.






  9. This soup is amazing! We have been eating this soup everyday this week! It is delicious and pretty straightforward to make. I did not realize what great flavors would come out with the lime juice and the coconut milk! It sort of tastes like a Mexican/Asian fusion! I was too lazy to make the tortilla strips this time so we have been using store-bought tortilla chips. I am sure it would taste better with the homemade strips. I seasoned the chicken thighs with chipotle powder aside from the salt and pepper and it tastes amazing! I also added a can of corn, just because I love corn – I highly recommend it! I will also be making this all winter! I highly recommend everyone try it!






  10. Mary Haven Merkle says:

    My husband liked this so much, he asked me to make again for his birthday. Really beautiful balance to the spices!






    1. Natalie Perkins (ATHT) says:

      Yay! I’m so glad you loved it, Mary! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

  11. 5 stars, just like every allthehealthythings soup I’ve made so far. The longest step was probably trimming the fat off the chicken at the beginning; otherwise it came together easily and had a lot of flavor!






    1. Natalie Perkins (ATHT) says:

      I’m so glad you liked it, Heather! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!