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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe combines tender shredded chicken, tomatoes, beans and warming spices in a rich broth. Easy weeknight dinner in 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 355
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 can 14.5 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese cubed and softened
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 cups baked tortilla strips for topping
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro optional

Equipment

  • Large soup pot or Dutch oven (for simmering)
  • Wooden spoon (for sautéing)
  • Small bowl and whisk (for tempering cream cheese)
  • Ladle (for serving)

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, then cook for 5 minutes until beginning to soften.
  2. Step 2: Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until the spices smell fragrant; do not let the garlic burn.
  3. Step 3: Add the tomatoes with their juices, drained black beans, corn and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add shredded cooked chicken. Simmer gently for another 5 minutes until everything is hot and the chicken has absorbed some flavor.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low. Whisk a ladle of hot broth into the softened cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth, then stir the mixture back into the pot.
  6. Step 6: Warm gently for 2–3 minutes without boiling. Add lime juice and salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips and cilantro.

Notes

Nutrition excludes optional avocado, sour cream and extra cheese toppings.
Use fully cooked chicken; the short simmer does not cook raw chicken safely.