Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable Version)

Rich Tex-Mex style soup with tender chicken, salsa verde base, peppers, and cream cheese, topped with avocado and crispy tortilla chips.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 poblano peppers, seeded and diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Soup Base

08 - 1.5 cups salsa verde
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Elements

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
14 - 0.5 cup heavy cream

→ Toppings

15 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
16 - 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, poblano, and jalapeño. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and salsa verde. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 to 18 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
04 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese, stirring constantly until melted and fully incorporated into the soup.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Rich and Creamy: The combination of cream cheese and heavy cream creates a thick, satisfying texture.
  • Zesty Flavor: Salsa verde and lime juice provide a bright, tangy contrast to the savory chicken and peppers.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Easily made gluten-free by ensuring your tortilla chips are certified.
02 -
  • Heat Level: If you prefer more spice, leave the seeds in the jalapeño before dicing.
  • Smooth Consistency: Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened and cubed before adding it to the pot to ensure it melts smoothly without lumps.
  • Topping Texture: Add the tortilla chips just before eating to ensure they retain their crunch against the creamy broth.
Go Back