Keeping It Simple Chicken Tortilla Soup

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As we transition into fall and cooler temps, it’s a perfect time to introduce soups back into dinner rotation. One of my family favorites is Chicken Tortilla Soup. It’s got a good balance between warm and hearty and fresh and light. Just the right soup to start fall with.

There are all different ways to make this Chicken Tortilla Soup. But I have found I like this soup with just very simple ingredients. Then jazz it up with yummy fresh toppings. Tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, sour cream! Anything goes!

So for the main ingredient – chicken! Not all is created equal. I feel like there are definitely some things you can buy generic, for me chicken is not one. Crowd Cow is my go-to for meat. Their chicken is pasture-raised and organic free range chicken. And what that translates to is top quality. I don’t have to worry about feeding my family hormones or some weird by product “chicken”. And for the about the same price as the grocery store it’s a no brainer!

This is the easiest soup! I lay my chicken pieces on the bottom the crockpot. Depending on the size of your family, depends on how many chicken pieces to use. I typically use 5-6 tenderloins. Then I will sprinkle with salt and pepper. I add half a packet of ranch dressing seasoning and half a packet of taco seasoning. For the liquid I like to start with a little dash or so of red wine. It really adds a nice layer of flavor and color. Then I add the mild diced tomatoes with green chilies. Juice and all. You can’t have Chicken Tortilla Soup without corn! One can, juice and all goes right on top. You can add chicken broth or water for the rest of the liquid. Close the lid and allow to cook for at least 4 hours.

I do like to periodically taste the broth. Sometimes it needs more flavor. I like my food a bit on the salty side. Plus after you add your topping sometimes the boldness of flavor is weakened. So if it needs more spice you can add in the rest of your taco packet or garlic powder, salt, cumin, etc. that you see fit. All of those spices are in the taco packet but sometimes you need just a bit more.

Once the Chicken Tortilla Soup has been cooking for a few hours and the chicken is fully cooked I will take it all out and shred/cut into small pieces. I prefer this soup less chunky. Then allow to remain cooking.

Now it’s the BEST part!! Adding your toppings and gobbling it down. This depends on whatever your family likes. Mine likes a lot of cheese and tortilla chips! I love avocado and sour cream. Sour cream is my go-to condiment. It literally takes everything next level. 🙂