Tantalizing Tortilla Soup:From Bland to Bold with 7 seasonings
Jan 30, 2025, Updated May 04, 2025
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Bold Flavors That Make This Creamy Tortilla Soup a Must-Try Meal

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
If you’re looking for a flavor-packed soup that brings warmth, spice, and just the right amount of creamy comfort, this is it. My Creamy Tortilla Soup is bursting with bold seasonings, tender rotisserie chicken, and smoky chipotles in adobo. Perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo or any cozy night in, this soup is always a hit in my kitchen.
This recipe combines the smoky heat of chipotles, the rich flavors of rotisserie chicken, and a velvety creaminess that’ll make you want to savor every spoonful. Perfect for cooler days or anytime you’re craving something hearty, this soup is as flavorful as it is satisfying.
It’s rich, hearty, and customizable—with toppings like crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and cilantro making every bowl picture-perfect and party-ready.
Let’s dive into how to make this creamy tortilla soup with the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry (or can grab on your next grocery run)!
Table of Contents
Ingredients Needed:
Soup Base
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken, shredded
- 1 Red Onion, diced
- 2 Jalapeños, deseeded and chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Can Chipotles in Adobo Sauce, chopped
- ½ tsp Ancho Chile Powder
- 1 tsp Chile Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
- 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base (or 1 bouillon cube)
- All-Purpose Seasoning, to taste
- Buttery Garlic Pepper, to taste
- Chicken Bouillon, to taste
- 1 Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes (with juices)
- 5 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Can Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 oz Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
Garnishes
- Fried Tortilla Strips
- Shredded Cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- Avocado, sliced
EQUIPMENT
Equipment Used
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Strainer or colander
- Wooden spoon
- Frying pan or deep skillet for tortillas
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Veggies
Shred the rotisserie chicken (or whatever you have on hand) and chop into bite-sized pieces. Discard the skin, bones, and cartilage.
Dice the onion, jalapeños, Chipotle’s in Adobe Sauce and mince your garlic if using fresh.
Strain and rinse the beans, corn, and other canned goods except for fire roasted tomatoes; then set everything aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Base Flavors
Heat a bit of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the red onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Then stir in the jalapeños and garlic. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Mr. Make It Happen
2pc. Hybrid Skillet
Step 3: Add the Spices
Sprinkle in the ancho chile powder, chile powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Stir to coat the veggies, toasting the spices for about 1 minute to unlock their flavor.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Chipotles
Stir in the chopped chipotles in adobo (with a little of the adobo sauce for extra flavor) and the fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice). Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any flavor-packed bits.
Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Pour in Broth and Seasonings
Add the chicken broth and bring it to a low simmer. Mix in the chicken base, AP seasoning, buttery garlic pepper, and chicken bouillon to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the broth to build depth.
Step 6: Add Beans, Corn, and Chicken
Now toss in the black beans, kidney beans, and corn. Stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes. Then, fold in the shredded chicken and let it cook for another 5 minutes to soak up all the flavors.
Step 7: Make It Creamy
Once the soup has reached your desired flavor and consistency, pour in the heavy cream and stir. Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes to create a rich, velvety texture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed —this is your chance to add a pinch more of the spices or seasonings for the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
Step 8: Garnish Like a Pro
Fry tortilla strips at 350°F until golden and crispy, then salt them lightly. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips, shredded cheese, cilantro, and creamy avocado slices.
Mr. Make It Happen
Japanese Steel Chef Knife
My Pro Tip
Tips for the Perfect Tortilla Soup
- Adjust the Heat: If you like your soup on the spicier side, don’t be afraid to add extra jalapeños or even a bit more chipotle in adobo. If you prefer a milder version, reduce or omit the Chipotle Peppers.
- Customize the Creaminess: For a lighter version, you can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or even whole milk. If you want it extra creamy, add more cream or even a dollop of sour cream when serving.
- Fried Tortillas: Making homemade crispy tortilla strips is easy! Just cut some corn tortillas into strips, fry them in a little oil until crispy, and drain them on a paper towel. They add the perfect crunch to your soup.
- Frozen Veggies: If you don’t have fresh corn, feel free to use frozen or even canned corn—either works great.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe: Perfect for Chilly Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
This dish is ideal for your Cinco de Mayo festivities or easy weeknight dinner—warm, inviting, and packed with flavor. It’s a cozy way to bring family and friends together with its layers of flavor—from the smoky chipotle to the cumin and oregano—to the crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese providing a perfect balance of textures.
It’s the perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and creamy. It’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, especially with the addition of rotisserie chicken and beans, but light enough to enjoy any time of the year.
So, next time you’re in the mood for something cozy, satisfying, and full of flavor, give this creamy tortilla soup a try. It’s guaranteed to warm you from the inside out!
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Print & Download Recipe: Creamy Tortilla Soup
Creamy Tortilla Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken shredded
- 1 Red Onion diced
- 2 Jalapeños deseeded and chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Can Chipotles in Adobo Sauce chopped
- ½ tsp Ancho Chile Powder
- 1 tsp Chile Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Oregano preferably Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base or 1 chicken bouillon cube
- AP Seasoning to taste
- Buttery Garlic Pepper to taste
- Chicken Bouillon to taste
- 1 Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes with juices
- 5 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Can Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 Can Black Beans drained and rinsed
- 8 oz Corn fresh, frozen, or canned
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
Garnishes:
- Fried Tortillas cut into strips
- Shredded Cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
- Fresh Cilantro chopped
- Avocado sliced
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Veggies
- Shred the rotisserie chicken (or whatever you have on hand) and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Discard the skin, bones, and cartilage.
- Dice the onion, jalapeños, Chipotle’s in Adobe Sauce and mince your garlic if using fresh.
- Strain and rinse the beans, corn, and other canned goods except for fire roasted tomatoes; then set everything aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Base Flavors
- Heat a bit of oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the red onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Then stir in the jalapeños and garlic.
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the Spices
- Sprinkle in the ancho chile powder, chile powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano.
- Stir to coat the veggies, toasting the spices for about 1 minute to unlock their flavor.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Chipotles
- Stir in the chopped chipotles in adobo (with a little of the adobo sauce for extra flavor) and the fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice).
- Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any flavor-packed bits.
- Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Pour in Broth and Seasonings
- Add the chicken broth and bring it to a low simmer.
- Mix in the chicken base, AP seasoning, buttery garlic pepper, and chicken bouillon to taste.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the broth to build depth.
Step 6: Add Beans, Corn, and Chicken
- Now toss in the black beans, kidney beans, and corn.
- Stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Then, fold in the shredded chicken and let it cook for another 5 minutes to soak up all the flavors.
Step 7: Make It Creamy
- Once the soup has reached your desired flavor and consistency, pour in the heavy cream and stir.
- Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes to create a rich, velvety texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed —this is your chance to add a pinch more of the spices or seasonings for the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
Step 8: Garnish Like a Pro
- Fry tortilla strips at 350°F until golden and crispy, then salt them lightly.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips, shredded cheese, cilantro, and creamy avocado slices.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips for the Perfect Tortilla Soup
- Dial Up the Heat: Love spice? Add more chipotle or jalapeño to turn up the heat.
- Control the Creaminess: Swap the heavy cream with half-and-half or even coconut milk for a twist.
- Go Crunchy: Homemade tortilla strips beat bagged chips—just slice and fry fresh corn tortillas.
- No Fresh Corn? No worries. Canned or frozen works beautifully.