Name: Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 13 min
Total time: 1 h 28 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 small red onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups chicken broth; 2 (15 ounce) cans fire-roasted, diced tomatoes; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can corn, drained; 1 Tbsp. ground cumin, plus more to taste; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 2 whole chicken breasts (or 2-3 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped); 2 cups Cabot Cheese (your favorite flavor); Salt and pepper to taste; Cheese; Red onion; Cilantro; Sour cream; Salsa; Avocado; Tortilla chips

If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and downright delicious, you’re going to love this Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe. It’s a family favorite of mine that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and surprisingly light—perfect for those nights when you want to eat well without sacrificing taste. Believe me, once you try this, you’ll be making it again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nutrient-Packed & Satisfying: This soup combines lean chicken, beans, and veggies for a hearty meal that still keeps things light.
Super Easy to Make: With a few pantry staples and simple steps, you can have dinner ready in under an hour and a half.
Customizable Toppings: Whether you love cheese, avocado, or crunchy tortilla chips, you get to personalize every bowl.
Family Tested & Approved: My crew gobbles this up every time, and I bet yours will too.

A rough white bowl holds a warm soup with several layers. The bottom layer is a light brown broth mixed with shredded light tan chicken pieces and dark brown beans scattered throughout. Bright yellow corn kernels float among the chicken and beans. On top, a generous spoonful of red salsa with chunks of tomato and green herbs sits near a dollop of white sour cream. Around the sour cream, there are dark blue tortilla chips with a rough texture partially dipped in the soup. A bright green lime wedge rests on the side inside the bowl. The photo was taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup, healthy chicken soup, easy chicken tortilla soup, nutritious tortilla soup, light chicken soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe lies in its fresh yet humble ingredients. Each one brings something special and plays perfectly with the others. I always recommend picking fire-roasted tomatoes if you can—they add a subtle smokiness that’s unbeatable.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a whole small red onion with deep purple skin, three whole garlic cloves with papery white skins, a pile of bright red fire-roasted diced tomatoes, fresh green cilantro sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl of shiny black beans, a small white ceramic bowl of yellow corn kernels, a heap of warm brown ground cumin powder, a small white ceramic bowl of dried oregano leaves, two plump raw whole chicken breasts with pale pink skin, a small white ceramic bowl of shredded pale yellow cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl of cracked black peppercorns, a whole ripe avocado with dark green skin, and a small white ceramic bowl of smooth sour cream, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup, healthy chicken soup, easy chicken tortilla soup, nutritious tortilla soup, light chicken soup

Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin works best for sautéing and adds a lovely subtle fruitiness.
Red onion: Choose a small one for sweetness; it softens beautifully without overpowering the soup.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced to give that punch of flavor that canned garlic just can’t match.
Chicken broth: Homemade is ideal, but store-bought low sodium broth also does the trick to keep it healthy.
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: They bring depth and a smoky note that makes this soup stand out.
Fresh cilantro: Adds a bright, earthy freshness that lightens up every spoonful.
Black beans: Rinsed and drained, they provide protein and fiber for a filling soup.
Corn: Sweet canned corn balances the smoky and spicy elements nicely.
Ground cumin: The warm, earthy spice that is essential for authentic flavor here.
Dried oregano: Offers a subtle herbaceous note that rounds out the spices.
Chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken: I adore using rotisserie for a shortcut, but fresh breasts yield a beautiful, tender result.
Cabot cheese (or your favorite): Melted in for creaminess and richness—you can’t skip this!
Salt and pepper: To taste, of course, because seasoning makes all the difference.
Toppings (optional): Feel free to add cheese, red onion, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and crunchy tortilla chips to amp it up.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. It’s such a forgiving base that you can easily make it your own to fit your family’s tastes or your dietary needs.

Spicy Kick: Sometimes I add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, and my husband loves that bold twist.
Vegetarian Version: Using vegetable broth and skipping the chicken still yields a super tasty soup—double the beans and add extra corn instead.
Cheese-Free: Swap avocado and extra cilantro for cheese if you’re dairy-free; it keeps things creamy without the dairy.
Chunky Veggies: Toss in diced bell peppers or zucchini for extra texture and nutrition.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

First things first, heat your olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Then, add the finely chopped red onion and minced garlic. Cook them together, stirring often, until they become soft and fragrant—this usually takes about 3 minutes. That smell? Absolute heaven. Don’t let the garlic brown too much, or it’ll turn bitter, so keep a close eye.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients and Simmer

Next, add in the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, corn, cumin, oregano, and fresh cilantro. If you’re using raw chicken breasts, nestle them into the pot now. Bring everything up to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it cook for a full hour; this slow simmer lets the flavors meld beautifully, and the chicken becomes tender and juicy.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Add Cheese

After simmering, remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Then stir the shredded chicken back into the soup. If you’re using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, add it now instead. Now it’s time to stir in the cheese. I like using Cabot cheese for its rich, creamy melt, but any good melting cheese will work. Let it cook for another 10 minutes so everything blends together. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and pile on your favorite toppings—this is where you get creative! Personally, I go heavy on cilantro, diced avocado, and plenty of crunchy tortilla chips. It’s the little extras that take this from good to unforgettable.

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Pro Tips for Making Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Use Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: I learned this trick early on—those smoky notes really elevate the whole soup and add complexity without extra effort.
Don’t Skip the Simmer Time: Giving your soup a full hour to meld lets all the flavors shine and the chicken cook perfectly tender.
Cheese Selection Matters: Using a good melting cheese like Cabot creates that luscious, creamy finish every spoonful deserves.
Add Toppings Just Before Serving: It keeps textures crisp—no one wants soggy chips or wilted cilantro in their soup!

How to Serve Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

A large white pot with orange handles filled with thick soup containing shredded chicken, yellow corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes in a rich reddish broth, with a wooden spoon resting inside. Around the pot, there are small white bowls holding dark blue tortilla chips, creamy white sour cream, and red salsa, each with a silver spoon. On a white cloth near the pot, there are bright green lime wedges and two halves of a green avocado with one half showing the pit. The scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup, healthy chicken soup, easy chicken tortilla soup, nutritious tortilla soup, light chicken soup

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this soup with diced avocado for creaminess, freshly chopped cilantro for brightness, a dollop of sour cream to mellow the spices, and a handful of crunchy tortilla chips for that irresistible texture contrast. A sprinkle of shredded cheese on top just before serving also melts beautifully. Feel free to mix and match—this recipe is your blank canvas!

Side Dishes

I usually keep sides light and simple—something like a crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette or warm, crusty whole-grain bread to soak up every last drop of this soup. Sometimes, I’ll serve it alongside fresh guacamole and chips for a full Southwest-inspired meal that’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to serve the soup in mini cast iron skillets or rustic bowls with a colorful array of bowls holding toppings on the side—lettuce wraps, salsa, cheese, and more—so everyone can customize their own. It turns a simple soup night into a fun, interactive experience that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store the soup in airtight containers, but keep the toppings separate—especially the chips and avocado—to prevent sogginess. When I dig into leftovers, I love how the flavors have even melded deeper overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup successfully many times. Just cool it completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. Keep cheese and fresh toppings out of the freezer, and add them on reheating day. It defrosts nicely and makes an excellent quick meal for busy nights.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the soup thickens too much, just splash in a bit of chicken broth or water to loosen it up. This way, you maintain its lovely texture and vibrant flavor without drying it out.

FAQs

Can I make this Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Start by sautéing the onions and garlic, then transfer everything into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add shredded chicken and cheese during the last 30 minutes for best results.
What can I substitute for black beans?

If you don’t have black beans or prefer something different, cannellini or pinto beans work well too. Just rinse and drain them as you would with black beans to keep the soup’s texture just right.
Is this soup spicy?

The base recipe is mild and family-friendly, but you can easily add heat by including diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne, or your favorite hot sauce.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Definitely! Chicken thighs add extra flavor and stay tender. Just adjust cooking time as needed—they usually cook a bit faster than breasts.
How do I make this soup dairy-free?

Simply omit the cheese and sour cream toppings and use avocado slices instead for creaminess. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for brightness.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe has become one of those meals I always keep in my rotation. It hits that perfect balance between nourishing and comforting, and it genuinely feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear how your family falls in love, too. Seriously, if you want something simple but with big flavor and wholesome ingredients, this soup is the answer.