The Best Homemade Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Warm up your soul with a bowl of the best homemade cheesy chicken tortilla soup: tender shredded chicken, vibrant veggies, and bold Mexican spices swirled into a rich, creamy broth. This cozy, family-friendly dinner is ready in 30 minutes, so it is perfect for busy weeknights when only comfort food will do.

Are you craving a hearty and delicious meal that feels like a warm hug, Mexican food, but need it to be easy at the same time? This delicious tortilla soup is just what you need. Most times I make this soup I use leftover shredded chicken like from a baked whole chicken, but in the recipe directions I teach you how to make it with raw chicken, so just know you can make it even simpler by using precooked shredded chicken! And if your family loves cozy soup nights, my easy hamburger taco soup is another weeknight winner.

Why You Will Love this Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Creamy Texture: The addition of cream and cheese creates a luscious, velvety soup that's incredibly satisfying.

Comfort Food: This cheddars chicken tortilla soup recipe is perfect for a cold night when you need a warm hug in a bowl. If creamy soups are your love language, do not miss my creamy chicken wild rice soup. If you love bold, cozy flavors, do not miss my Thai chicken coconut curry soup either.

Customizable Toppings: From avocado and cilantro to crunchy tortilla chips, you can personalize each bowl to suit your taste.

Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this soup is a breeze to prepare.

Nutritious: Packed with protein and veggies, cheddars chicken tortilla soup recipe
is a wholesome meal that doesn't sacrifice flavor.

Key Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook right in the broth. You can also use cooked shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
• Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes give the broth its tomato base. I use a pint of my homemade canned tomatoes, but diced tomatoes with green chilies work too.
• Onion, green bell pepper, and garlic: These build flavor in the broth. Blend them with the cream cheese if you prefer a smoother soup.
• Chicken broth: Use a flavorful broth since it makes up most of the soup’s base.
• Cream cheese and cheddar: Cream cheese makes the broth creamy without heavy cream, while cheddar adds that cheesy flavor. Shred the cheddar yourself for smoother melting.
• Black beans and corn: These make the soup hearty and add texture. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them.
• Cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika: This combination gives the soup warm seasoning and a lightly smoky flavor.
• Tortilla strips: Add them just before serving so they stay crisp.

See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and measurements.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

1. Cook the Chicken and Vegetables

Place the chicken breasts, diced onion, green bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, and chicken broth in a large pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through.

2. Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred it with two forks and set aside.

3. Make the Broth Creamy

Add the cream cheese to the pot and stir until softened. For a smooth broth, use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables and cream cheese together. If you prefer a chunky soup, skip blending and stir until the cream cheese melts completely.

4. Add the Remaining Ingredients

Stir in the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, shredded chicken, corn, and drained black beans. Let the soup simmer gently until everything is heated through.

5. Stir in the Cheddar

Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.

6. Add Toppings and Serve

Ladle into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, extra cheese, avocado, sour cream, green onions, or a squeeze of lime. Add the tortilla strips right before serving so they stay crunchy.

Expert Tips for Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Blend it smooth: stir in the cream cheese, then pulse the soup a few times with a stick blender before adding the shredded chicken back in. This is the secret to that velvety, restaurant-style base.
• Grate your own cheddar: pre-shredded cheese is coated in starch that melts grainy. Freshly grated cheddar melts silky smooth.
• Finish with toppings: crispy tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, lime, and cilantro turn a simple bowl into something special.

Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup FAQs

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Did you make this cheesy chicken tortilla soup? I would love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating on the recipe card below and share your favorite toppings in the comments.