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Quick Tortilla Soup with Chicken

A vibrant one-pot Mexican soup with shredded chicken, tomato broth, and crispy tortilla strips. Ready in 20 minutes—comfort in a bowl.

Total time
20 min
Servings
4
Calories
285
Protein
28g
Quick Tortilla Soup with Chicken
comfortquickmexicanchickentendercrispyweeknightsoup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 14-oz can canned diced tomatoes
  • 4 count corn tortillas
  • 1 whole lime
  • 1 as needed salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Stack the 4 corn tortillas on a cutting board and slice them lengthwise into thin strips about 1/4 inch wide, like cutting ribbon noodles.

  2. 2

    Pour the 6 cups of broth into a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat—look for large bubbles breaking vigorously across the surface, about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add the 1 can of diced tomatoes (with juice) and stir with a wooden spoon until evenly combined.

  4. 4

    Add the 2 cups of shredded chicken and stir once to combine, then reduce heat to medium-low.

  5. 5

    Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes—the broth should bubble gently at the edges, not vigorously—so the flavors blend.

  6. 6

    Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half directly into the pot, then stir to mix.

  7. 7

    Taste the soup with a spoon and add salt and pepper until it tastes the way you like it.

  8. 8

    Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and slides across the pan when tilted, about 90 seconds.

  9. 9

    Add the tortilla strips and stir constantly for 3–4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp, making a crunching sound when stirred.

  10. 10

    Remove the skillet from heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the crispy tortilla strips to a paper towel to drain.

  11. 11

    Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each one with a handful of the crispy tortilla strips and a squeeze from the remaining lime half.

Tools you’ll need

  • large pot (4–6 quart capacity)
  • wooden spoon or ladle
  • cutting board
  • chef's knife
  • medium skillet (10–12 inch)
  • slotted spoon
  • serving bowls

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