Description
This comforting chicken tortilla soup combines shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and hominy in a flavorful broth seasoned with chili powder, oregano, and fresh cilantro. It's quick to prepare, filling, and garnished with creamy avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, crunchy tortilla chips, and green onions for a deliciously satisfying meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Soup Add-ins
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 large boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
- 1 cup white hominy
- 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Garnishes
- ½ cup crushed tortilla chips, or to taste
- 2 medium avocados, sliced, or to taste
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and ensure chicken breasts are cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and dried oregano to release their flavors.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Stir in crushed tomatoes, condensed chicken broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Main Ingredients: Add rinsed black beans, cooked chicken pieces, cooked corn kernels, white hominy, chopped green chile peppers, and fresh cilantro. Stir well and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to heat through and combine flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with crushed tortilla chips, sliced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and chopped green onions to add texture, creaminess, and a fresh finish.
Notes
- Cook chicken breasts ahead or use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Adjust chili powder and green chile peppers to control the spice level.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3-4 days and taste even better the next day.
- For a thicker soup, blend a cup of the soup before adding the beans and chicken.
- Vegetarian option: substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit chicken.
