This 30-minute chicken tortilla soup is cozy, flavorful, and nutritious! Made with rotisserie chicken, corn, beans, and homemade crunchy tortilla strips, it's high in protein, gluten-free, and perfect for busy nights.
Homemade chicken tortilla soup with rotisserie chicken
This homemade chicken tortilla soup is a cozy, weeknight favorite! It's full of flavor, has a little spice, and takes under 30 minutes to make, thanks to rotisserie chicken.
Everything cooks in one pot, which makes it super easy—even for beginners. With quick prep and simple steps, it's perfect for busy nights. We also love these healthier enchiladas.
The toppings are the best part! Add crispy tortilla strips, cotija cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, or sour cream. You can mix and match to make it just the way you like.
It's also great for meal prep. This soup reheats and freezes well, so make a big batch and enjoy it all week!
Why we love this recipe:
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes using rotisserie or leftover chicken.
- Rotisserie Chicken: No need for raw chicken breasts! This chicken tortilla soup is super easy to make with rotisserie or leftover chicken.
- Healthy & Nourishing: Packed with 31g protein, veggies like corn, beans, and tomatoes, and naturally gluten- and dairy-free.
- One-Pot Wonder: All made in one pot for easy cleanup.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make extra and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Customizable: Adjust seasonings and skip ingredients like beans or corn as you like.
- Cozy Comfort Food: Perfect for chilly nights!
- If you loved this recipe, try this cozy dairy-free tomato soup or this delicious turkey lentil soup.
The ingredients:
This creamy, protein-packed rotisserie chicken tortilla soup uses simple, healthy ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Olive Oil: For sautéing onions, peppers, and carrots. You can swap it with coconut, avocado, or vegan butter.
- Veggies: One yellow onion, poblano pepper, and a few large carrots add sweetness, sharpness, and texture. You can substitute with white onion, shallots, or sweet onion.
- Garlic: For flavor. Or use 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Rotisserie Chicken: The easiest way to add chicken is to shred and stir into the soup.
- Canned Tomatoes: One 28-ounce can of crushed or whole peeled tomatoes for the base.
- Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is best, but you can use vegetable broth, chicken stock, or bone broth.
- Corn & Black Beans: For texture and protein. Pinto or kidney beans work, too.
- Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Cilantro: For fresh, authentic flavor.
- Lime: Adds the perfect acidity.
- Cheese: Cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite cheese.
- Corn Tortillas: For homemade gluten-free tortilla strips, or use premade ones.
How to make chicken tortilla soup with rotisserie chicken
This healthy chicken tortilla soup is light, gluten-free, and comes together in under 30 minutes! The best part? It's made with rotisserie chicken! Here's how to make it step by step:
Step One: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, diced poblano pepper, and carrot rounds. Sauté for 5 minutes until veggies are soft.
Step Two: Stir in minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Step Three: Add shredded rotisserie chicken, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, corn, beans, cumin, taco seasoning, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
Step Four: Stir in fresh lime juice and let the soup simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Step Five: While the soup simmers, make the homemade gluten-free tortilla strips. Cut tortillas into strips and toss with olive oil and salt. Air fry, bake, or toast them on the stovetop (instructions in the recipe card below!).
Step Six: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, lime wedges, cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, or sour cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Top recipe tips:
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled/baked chicken.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor.
- Use Canned Corn & Beans: Canned corn and beans speed up cooking. Fresh corn works, too.
- Let It Simmer: Simmer for 20-30 minutes to develop flavors or up to an hour for more depth.
- Taste Test: Adjust the seasonings to your taste before serving.
- Homemade Tortilla Strips: They are easy to make and add great flavor and texture.
- Customize: Add extra veggies like bell peppers and zucchini, or swap beans for pinto or kidney beans.
- Make It Spicy: Add more chili powder or some diced jalapeños for a kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of rotisserie chicken?
You can use leftover cooked, grilled, or canned chicken. Just shred it up.
Is this soup healthy?
Yes! It's high in protein, gluten-free, and made with wholesome, fresh ingredients. Plus, it's sugar-free!
How can I make this soup thicker?
You can blend part of the soup (without chicken) or add some cornstarch or arrowroot powder to thicken it up.
What are the best toppings for chicken tortilla soup?
The best toppings include crispy tortilla strips or chips, fresh cilantro, lime juice, shredded cheese, Cotija cheese, diced avocado, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes! Let the soup cool, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat by thawing in the fridge overnight or on the stovetop.
How to store and reheat chicken tortilla soup:
Storing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-6 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm.
If you loved this recipe, try these soups next!
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Keto Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Mexican Turkey Kale Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Healthy Chicken Fajitas
- Baja Shrimp Tacos
- 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
- Turkey Lentil Soup
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
Chicken Tortilla Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, thinly diced
- 3 medium carrots, cut into bite-sized rounds
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (28-ounce) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (12-ounce) whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon taco seasoning
- ¾ - 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ - ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 - 2 large limes, juiced
- ¼ cup shredded cheese, for garnish
- 1 avocado, optional for garnish
Crispy Tortilla Strips:
- 6 corn tortillas, yellow or white
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste
Instructions
To Make Chicken Tortilla Soup:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add chopped onion, diced poblano pepper, and carrot rounds. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, corn, beans, cumin, taco seasoning, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in fresh lime juice and let the soup simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Make Tortilla Strips:
- Cut tortillas into thin strips. Then, toss the strips in olive oil and salt in a mixing bowl.
- For Oven: Preheat to 375°F and line a baking tray. Spread strips on the tray and bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy.
- For Stove: Heat a pan over medium heat and fry the strips until crispy, 5-7 minutes.
- For Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 325°F, lightly grease the basket, and spread the strips (no overlapping). Air fry for 3 minutes, shake, and air fry for another 3 minutes if needed.
To Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips, lime wedges, cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and/or sour cream.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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Isabella Josh says
I only like giving comments on recipes I actually love and this is one of them. I really never thought I could make chicken tortilla soup, and this recipe made it so easy! It is the perfect flavor and really yummy. I made my own tortilla strips in the oven and it was great.
Tati Chermayeff says
Isabella - YAY!! Cannot tell you how happy I am to hear this 🙂
Eliza Mehafy says
Really yummy recipe.
Tati Chermayeff says
Eliza, so excited to hear this! I absolutely love this recipe too! So simple and delicious.
Bella Radcliffe says
Easy to make and very flavorful. I used this a meal prep and it was great.
Abby Light says
Fantastic dinner recipe! So flavorful. I used fresh corn and it worked perfectly.
Rachel Lee says
Such a great recipe when you’re craving soup and do not have a lot of time. Love all the flavors in one bowl!! Had this all the time when it was chilly outside.