Description
This Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a flavorful, hearty, and nutritious meal perfect for cozy days. It combines tender chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, corn, and warm spices simmered together and topped with melted cheese and fresh toppings like avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips. Easy to make and packed with protein and fiber, it’s a comforting choice for a wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15 ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Protein
- 2 whole chicken breasts (or 2-3 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped)
Toppings and Cheese
- 2 cups Cabot Cheese (your favorite flavor)
- Cheese (additional for topping)
- Red onion (for topping)
- Cilantro (for topping)
- Sour cream (for topping)
- Salsa (for topping)
- Avocado (for topping)
- Tortilla chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion and minced garlic, cooking and stirring until they become soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add Soup Ingredients and Simmer: Add the chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, rinsed black beans, drained corn, ground cumin, dried oregano, and the whole chicken breasts (if using) to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 1 hour so the flavors meld and the chicken cooks thoroughly.
- Shred Chicken and Add Cheese: After simmering, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup. If using chopped rotisserie chicken instead, add it now. Stir in 2 cups of Cabot cheese and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the soup is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with Toppings: Ladle the soup into bowls evenly. Top each serving with your choice of cheese, red onion, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and tortilla chips. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, delicious soup.
Notes
- You can use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation, adding it at the end instead of whole chicken breasts.
- Adjust the amount of cumin and other spices to suit your taste preferences.
- For a spicier soup, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when simmering.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt content.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely for up to 2 months.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and use vegetable broth, adding extra beans or plant-based protein.
