Cozy, zesty, ultra-creamy comfort in a bowl
This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup delivers all the bold Tex-Mex flavors you love—tender chicken, sweet corn, warm spices, and a silky, crowd-pleasing broth. It’s the perfect one-pot dinner for busy nights because everything simmers together in under an hour, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. Rich but not heavy, this soup has the perfect balance of creaminess and spice, making it ideal for family meals, meal prep, or chilly evenings when you want something comforting and fun. Top it with crunchy tortilla strips, cheese, and fresh lime for the ultimate cozy bowl. 🌶️✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, shredded (cooked)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded & diced (optional for spice)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened & cubed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 lime
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
- Shredded cheese, cilantro, and sour cream (optional toppings)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Ladle
- Wooden spoon or spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Sauté veggies: Heat olive oil in your pot. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic & spices: Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. 🌶️
- Add liquids: Pour in chicken broth, then add tomatoes, corn, and black beans.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add chicken: Stir in shredded chicken and reduce heat to low.
- Make it creamy: Add cream cheese cubes, stirring until melted and smooth. Pour in heavy cream.
- Finish: Add lime juice and taste for seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips, cheese, cilantro, or sour cream. 😋
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Keeps 4 days in the fridge; freezes beautifully before adding cream.
- Extra thick: Mash a few spoonfuls of beans into the broth before adding cream.
- Slow cooker option: Add everything except cream + cream cheese. Cook on LOW 6 hours. Add dairy during the last 20 minutes.
- Heat level: Add cayenne or an extra jalapeño for a spicier version.