Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This quick and easy 30-minute healthy chicken tortilla soup is made with rotisserie chicken, corn, beans, and homemade crunchy tortilla strips. It’s packed with flavor, high in protein, gluten-free, and so delicious!

Homemade chicken tortilla soup with rotisserie chicken

Chicken tortilla soup is one of my all-time favorite Mexican dishes! We love it so much that it’s on a weekly rotation during the cold months, along with these taco lettuce wraps and these healthy chicken enchiladas. The soup’s broth is packed with flavor and has a little kick. But my favorite part are the addictively crispy tortilla strips on top.

This healthy take on a traditional Mexican chicken tortilla soup is light, deep with flavor, and perfectly tangy. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes and in one pot. Seriously, any level cook can make this dinner recipe (even beginners!)

One of my favorite things about this tortilla soup recipe is the toppings! Add your favorite toppings, from homemade crispy tortilla strips, a bit of cotija cheese, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, or even sour cream.

This recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, which makes this the easiest chicken tortilla soup recipe out there. You can even use leftover baked, grilled, or air fryer chicken too. This recipe is customizable and straightforward. Plus, it reheats and freezes well for meal prep.

Why you’ll love this healthy chicken tortilla soup

• Easy To Make: It’s ready in under 30 minutes with simple steps.
• Rotisserie Chicken: No need for raw chicken breasts! This easy chicken tortilla soup recipe is easy to make with pre-cooked or leftover chicken.
• Healthy: It’s lighter and healthier than traditional recipes, with 31 grams of protein.
• Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: This deliciously rich and flavorful soup recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free since there is NO heavy cream or butter.
• Nourishing: It’s packed with nutrients from corn, beans, tomatoes, carrots, and fresh cilantro.
• Freezer-Friendly: Make a large batch of this soup on Sunday and freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Customizable: Easily adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can remove the beans and corn if you’re not a fan.
• Comfort Food: Enjoy a bowl of this cozy chicken tortilla soup in the winter!
• One Pot: This soup is made in under 30 minutes in one pot.
• If you loved this recipe, try this cozy dairy-free tomato soup or this delicious turkey lentil soup.

Ingredients needed & substitutions

All my recipes call for simple and healthy ingredients, and this creamy protein-packed and gluten-free chicken tortilla soup is loaded with vegetables, spices, and herbs. Here is a list of exactly what you will need to make this recipe:

• Olive Oil: This healthy chicken tortilla soup uses olive oil to saute the onions, peppers, and carrots. You can also substitute the oil with coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegan butter.
• The Veggies: Grab one yellow onion, one poblano pepper, and a few large carrots. They add natural sweetness, a little sharpness, and some texture. You can use white onion, shallots, or sweet onion instead of yellow onion.
• Garlic: This gives this soup the best flavor. You can also use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Rotisserie Chicken: This recipe is so easy because you just add shredded rotisserie chicken straight into the soup.
• Canned Tomatoes: You’ll need one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes or whole peeled for the base of the soup.
• Broth: I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth to control the soup’s saltiness levels. You can also use vegetable broth or chicken stock.
• Corn & Black Beans: For texture and protein. I used canned corn and black beans. You can use pinto or red kidney beans instead of black beans.
• Seasonings: This homemade healthy chicken tortilla soup is flavored with chili powder, cumin, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
• Cilantro: For a fresh, herb flavor. It gives this soup an authentic taste.
• Lime: Lime juice adds the perfect amount of acidity to the soup.
• Cheese: There’s nothing better than cheese chicken tortilla soup. You can use cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite type.
• Corn Tortillas: To make our homemade gluten-free tortilla strips. You can also buy premade tortilla strips at the store.

How to make healthy chicken tortilla soup

This healthy chicken tortilla soup will surely be your new favorite recipe! It comes together in a few simple steps in under 30 minutes in one pot! Best of all, it’s light and gluten-free. Here are step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference:

Step 1:

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Then, add in the chopped onion, diced poblano pepper, and carrot rounds. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions and veggies are soft.

Step 2:

Then, stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 3:

After that, add the 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.

Step 4:

Once it’s ready, stir in the fresh lime juice and let the soup simmer for an additional 3 – 5 minutes. I recommend tasting and adjusting seasonings before serving.

Step 5:

Meanwhile, make the homemade gluten-free tortilla strips. Cut tortillas into thin strips and toss them with olive oil and salt in a mixing bowl. You can air fry, bake, or toast them on the stovetop. I left instructions in the recipe card below!

Step 6:

Finally, ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, lime wedges, cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and/or sour cream as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious healthy chicken tortilla soup!

Recipe tips for home cooks:

1. Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken. The best part about this recipe is that you don’t need to buy raw chicken breasts to make it. Using rotisserie chicken saves 20 minutes!
2. Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic is so much better than garlic powder. It has the best natural flavor.
3. Save time by using canned beans and corn. Speed up the cooking time by using canned corn and beans. You can use fresh corn off the cob if desired.
4. Let the soup simmer. This ensures the flavors have time to develop. Don’t skip this! You can simmer the soup for up to 1 hour if you want maximum flavor, but 20 to 30 minutes is great too.
5. Taste test before serving. The flavor relies heavily on the type of tomatoes and broth you use. I always recommend that home cooks taste the soup before serving so you can adjust the spices.
6. Homemade tortilla strips: Making your own tortilla strips adds a nice touch. Be sure to cut them nicely and thinly to maximize crispiness.
7. Customize: If you have other vegetables on hand, like bell peppers or zucchini, feel free to add them. You can also use pinto or kidney beans instead of black beans.

What to serve with chicken tortilla soup:

Chicken tortilla soup goes well with so many dishes. You can serve it as a main course or as a starter. Here is a complete list of the best things to serve with chicken tortilla soup:

• Guacamole and Salsa: A side of fresh guacamole and salsa adds a burst of flavor and freshness.
• Rice: Try a side of white or brown for a heartier and more filling meal.
• Mexican Rice: Chicken tortilla soup pairs perfectly with Mexican rice.
• Quesadillas: Cheesy quesadillas are my favorite side dish for chicken tortilla soup – I love these air fryer quesadillas.
• Garlic Bread: It’s buttery, crunchy, and so easy to make. Try this gluten-free garlic bread or this air fryer garlic bread.
• Grilled Vegetables: Try grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or onions.
• Side Salad: Try this cucumber carrot salad, kale crunch salad, or strawberry goat cheese salad.
• Cornbread: Chicken soup and cornbread are a match made in heaven! Try this gluten-free cornbread recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use tortilla chips instead of homemade tortilla strips?

Yes, you can absolutely use tortilla chips instead of homemade tortilla strips in chicken tortilla soup. It’s a convenient alternative to making homemade tortilla strips.

Are corn tortillas gluten-free?

Yes, corn tortillas are typically gluten-free since they are made from corn masa, which does not contain wheat or gluten.

Is chicken tortilla soup gluten-free?

Chicken tortilla soup recipes are gluten-free if you use corn tortillas for the crispy tortilla strips.

Is this recipe healthy?

Yes, this homemade chicken tortilla soup is healthy. It’s sugar-free, high-protein, gluten-free, and made with wholesome and fresh ingredients.

Can I use ground chicken?

Yes, you can use ground chicken in chicken tortilla soup by cooking it thoroughly before adding it to the soup, but remember that the texture and flavor will be different from shredded rotisserie chicken.

Is it spicy?

This chicken tortilla soup has a mild to moderate level of spiciness. Add up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to make it spicy.

What are the best toppings for chicken tortilla soup?

The best toppings for chicken tortilla soup include crispy tortilla strips or chips, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, shredded cheese (like cheddar or Monterey Jack), Cotija cheese, diced avocado, and/or a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Can you freeze chicken tortilla soup?

Yes! You can freeze cooked chicken tortilla soup. Let the soup cool to room temperature, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, place the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight or reheat it at low temperature on the stovetop until defrosted and warm. Continuously stir it as it thaws.

If you loved this recipe, try these soups next!

• Keto Taco Lettuce Wraps
• Mexican Turkey Kale Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
• Healthy Chicken Enchiladas
• Baja Shrimp Tacos
• 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe

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!

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