Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup {GF}

Published March 30, 2014. Updated August 21, 2019

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup. A hearty, warming and comforting soup made with juicy chicken, vegetables and loaded with delicious toppings. Best of all this soup is whipped up in around 30 minutes and couldn’t be easier!

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup in a white bowl with a spoon

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Since it’s starting to warm up a little I decided I better get my last good soup days in. Don’t get me wrong, I still eat soup all summer long, not quite as frequently, but it is much more enjoyable on a cold snowy day or a cloudy rainy day than it is on a hot, sunny summer day.

I think of this soup as a hybrid of two southwestern soups that I love, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup and this Chicken Enchilada Soup. But, this one has something neither of those do – the creaminess. Aren’t creamy soups the best? Especially when they are smothered with a generous helping of cheese.

Ingredients – What You Need

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Jalapeno
  • Chicken Broth
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Chili Powder
  • Milk
  • Masa Harina
  • Black Beans
  • Pinto Beans
  • Corn
  • Heavy Cream
  • Sour Cream

An overhead shot of Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup in a bowl topped with avocado and lime wedges at the side

The Best Toppings To Choose

  • Cheese – cheddar, Monterey Jack or your favorite cheese
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Fresh Lime Juice
  • Tortilla Chips

I made this recipe to be practically a 30 minute meal. It is made all in one pot, no cooking chicken separately or making a roux in a separate pot. This is a soup that is perfect for a weeknight meal, and it’s one that your whole family can enjoy.

Top Tip –  If you don’t like heat, reduce the amount of jalapeño, and if you love heat leave the seeds.

A close up of Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup topped with avocado

You will love this filling and deliciously satisfying Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup! It’s loaded with a whole lot of goodness. Enjoy!

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4.86 from 21 votes

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (GF)

A hearty, warming and comforting soup made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables and loaded with delicious toppings. 
Servings: 6 servings
Prep15 minutes
Cook35 minutes
resting time5 minutes
Ready in: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For serving:

  • Shredded cheese (I used a blend of cheddar and monterey jack), sour cream, diced avocados, cilantro, lime wedges (optional), corn tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and jalapeño and saute 3 minutes, adding garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing.
  • Add chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken breasts and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover pot with lid and gently boil until chicken has cooked through, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove chicken and allow to rest 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add diced tomatoes with green chilies to pot. Then, in the 2-cup liquid measuring cup used to measure milk (or a bowl), whisk together milk and masa harina until well blended.
  • Pour mixture into pot and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens slightly (it won't thicken much). Dice chicken and add to pot, then add black beans, pinto beans and corn. Then stir in cream and sour cream and cook until heated through.
  • Serve warm topped with cheese, sour cream, avocados, cilantro, limes and tortilla chips.
  • *If chicken breasts are fairly thick, slices them horizontally through the thickness to create two portions. They will cook faster this way and be more tender as they'll cook more evenly.
  • **If looking to make this gluten free, be sure the masa harina you're using is labeled as gluten-free, same with the tortilla chips. Masa harina can be found in the Latin section of the grocery store.
  • Recipe Source: Cooking Classy
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (GF)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 521 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 105mg35%
Sodium 405mg18%
Potassium 1331mg38%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 760IU15%
Vitamin C 13.8mg17%
Calcium 196mg20%
Iron 4.7mg26%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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196 Comments

  • KrystalAG

    This is amazing. I haven’t put the cream in yet and I am in love!

  • Miss liz

    Best soup ever. I don’t use the masa, I use corn starch to make a roux,but that is the only change. Everyone loves this soup. Totally awesome. Thanks for a great recipe.

  • Paige

    It’s been snowing all day here in CO and chicken tortilla soup sounded like just the thing! I was weary at first because the smell of the masa harina has so prominent I was worried it would reflect in the taste. I had some hatch chiles frozen from fall (best part of Colorado!) so I threw those in with a can of tomatoes instead of the canned tomatoes & chiles. This recipe is officially my chicken tortilla go to. SO DELICIOUS!! If anyone is looking for a great chicken tortilla soup – do not hesitate & make this one! Thank you for posting!! :))

  • Ameta Jo

    My 12 year old daughter found this recipe and cooked it a few days before Christmas. She doubled the recipe since we had holiday company. It was amazingly delicious!! Since then, she has cooked it four times. It has quickly become our family favorite. We love lots of avocados, lime and chips. Thanks so much for sharing!

  • julie

    We love this soup. We first heard about it when my son Mario made it for us. I went home and through it together and find I just absolutely love it. It is easy to do and all you need can be found in the local grocer’s in a moment’s notice. I substitute coconut oil for the canola and add pureed tomatoes instead of diced. We like it thick, almost chili-like. I add cumin, pepper, and garlic and extra black beans. Then each portion is sprinkled with nacho chips (like Doritos), shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Nummy!
    I’d take a picture of our last batch but we just finished it all off. Again.

  • Jaimie

    Although this recipe is amazing on its own, I’m one who likes my chicken tortilla soup a little thicker and more bold so I simply add one can of tomato sauce and one package taco seasoning to the recipe and it’s just unbeatable. Don’t forget the fixings! Extra lime for me!

  • janie garza

    This is my favorite tortilla soup. I have made it several times as is and it is absolutely delicious.
    I had tried many recipes before this one and it was not what I was looking for but when I tried this one i stopped looking. My family loves it.
    Thank you for posting it.

  • jessica

    I made this tonight. Super easy and super yummy. My husband was pleased as was I.