Mexican Tortilla Soup
A hearty Mexican-inspired soup full of fresh corn, tender chicken, and flavorful spices, topped with cheese and avocado, perfect for a comforting and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons sweet butter ⓘ
- 4 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 cup onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup celery, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Anaheim chile, seeded and diced or 1 small can Ortega chopped green chilies ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin ⓘ
- 1.5 tablespoons chili powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1.5 cups diced tomatoes ⓘ
- 4 cups chicken stock or water ⓘ
- 1.5 cups cooked chicken, diced
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 cups tortilla chips, broken into smaller pieces ⓘ
- 1 avocado, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut raw kernels off the corn cob with a sharp knife.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over moderate heat.
- Add the garlic, onion, celery, corn, carrots, and chili; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the cumin, chili powder, and oregano; continue stirring for another minute to toast the spices.
- Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, cilantro, and cooked chicken.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup topped with broken tortilla chips, diced avocado, and grated Monterey Jack cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider using fresh jalapeños or serrano chiles instead of Anaheim chiles. If fresh corn isn't available, frozen corn works just as well. To enhance the flavor, add a squeeze of lime juice just before serving. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with black beans or lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, topped with broken tortilla chips, diced avocado, and a generous sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese for a delicious finish. It pairs beautifully with Mildred'S Famous Tamale Pie or a side of fresh cilantro lime rice. For a complete meal, consider adding a light salad dressed with lime vinaigrette.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover tortilla soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over medium heat until heated through. If the soup thickens upon refrigeration, you may need to add a bit of water or broth when reheating to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexican Tortilla Soup contains roughly 1433 calories, with 45g protein, 309g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (342% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (237% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to serve. If you're making it in advance, add the toppings just before serving to keep them fresh and crispy.
What can I use instead of chicken?
For a vegetarian alternative, you can substitute the chicken with canned black beans or chickpeas for added protein. If you're looking for a different flavor, try adding sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add more heat, incorporate diced jalapeños or serrano chiles. You can also increase the amount of chili powder or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the soup. Additionally, consider garnishing with spicy pickled jalapeños for an extra kick when serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).