Smoky Chicken Tortilla Soup
A chipotle-smoky tomato broth loaded with shredded chicken, black beans, and corn, topped with baked tortilla strips that stay crunchy. One pot, 40 minutes, and each bowl is a complete meal with 44 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber.
Method
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Preheat the oven to 190C / 375F. Spread the tortilla strips on a tray, mist with oil spray, and bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crisp.
💡 Tip: They crisp further as they cool. Pull them at golden, not brown. -
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium. Cook the onion 4 minutes, then the garlic, chipotle, cumin, and smoked paprika for 1 minute.
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Add the tomatoes, broth, and whole chicken breasts. Simmer gently, covered, for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
💡 Tip: A gentle simmer, not a boil. Boiled chicken breast turns to rubber. -
Lift out the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it with the beans and corn. Simmer 5 minutes.
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Finish with lime juice and cilantro, and top each bowl with tortilla strips.
Notes
One chipotle gives smoke and gentle heat. Two makes it properly spicy. Taste yours, they vary.
Bake the tortilla strips rather than buying fried ones. Same crunch, a fraction of the fat.
Poaching the chicken in the broth then shredding it keeps it juicy and flavors the soup.
Toppings live separately if you are meal prepping, so the strips stay crisp.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 430kcal |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Protein | 44g |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make it in the slow cooker?
Yes. Everything except the corn, beans, lime, and strips goes in for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 on low. Shred the chicken, stir in the beans and corn for the last 20 minutes, and finish the same way.
How spicy is it?
With one chipotle, mild-to-medium with a smoky edge. The heat is easy to scale in either direction, and a spoon of Greek yogurt on top pulls it back if you overshoot.
What else can I top it with?
Avocado, crumbled feta or cotija, Greek yogurt, extra lime. Just remember the toppings are where untracked calories hide, so weigh the avocado.
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