Tortilla Soup
This mouthwatering Tortilla Soup is a vibrant, warm dish that brings the flavors of Mexico right into your kitchen. Perfect for a cozy night in or when you're just craving something deliciously different, this soup is loaded with spices, veggies, and crunchy tortilla strips. Whether you're enjoying it on a rainy day or serving it at a festive gathering, it's sure to become a family favorite! Get excited because figuring out how to make this fabulous soup is as fun as eating it!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or any cooking oil you have handy
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup corn
- 1 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken or black beans for a vegetarian option
- Tortilla strips store-bought or homemade
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Sliced avocado lime wedges, and sour cream for serving (optional but highly recommended!)
- Substitutions: You can easily swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or replace the chicken with black beans for a hearty plant-based option.
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: Kick things off by grabbing a large pot. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once it’s nice and warm, toss in the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it’s soft and transparent. Add the minced garlic, jalapeño, and bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Your kitchen should smell amazing by now!
- Add in Those Tomatoes and Spices: Time to throw in that can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s well-combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Bring in the Good Stuff: Add the corn and the shredded chicken (or black beans). Allow everything to simmer together for another 5-10 minutes. Give it a taste and see if it needs a little more salt or pepper. You know your flavors! Adjust it to your liking!
- Time to Plate: Here comes the fun part! Grab some bowls and serve that hearty soup. Top it with crispy tortilla strips, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced avocado if you’re feeling extra fancy. Don’t forget a squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten everything up!