Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable version)

Rich and flavorful soup with salsa verde base, tender chicken, peppers, and cream cheese, topped with avocado and crispy tortilla strips.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

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

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

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

→ Soup Base

08 - 1 1/2 cups salsa verde
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Elements

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
14 - 1/2 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

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The salsa verde adds a zesty punch that cuts through the rich creaminess perfectly.
  • It is a one pot wonder that makes the whole house smell like a high end cantina.
02 -
  • Adding cold cream cheese to boiling liquid can cause it to clump so let it soften first.
  • The soup will naturally thicken as it stands so do not be afraid to add a splash of water later.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken if you are in a rush and skip the simmering step for the meat.
  • A pinch of extra smoked paprika right at the end adds a beautiful rosy hue to the broth.
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