Description

This Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup with Black Beans is a comforting and flavorful recipe that tastes just like your favorite restaurant version. Combining tender shredded chicken, hearty black beans, sweet corn, and a blend of aromatic spices, this soup is simmered to perfection and enriched with creamy heavy cream. It’s topped with crunchy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, and a zesty squeeze of lime for a vibrant finish, making it an ideal quick and satisfying meal for the family.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
¾ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Garnishes

Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges
Avocado slices or a spoon of sour cream (optional)

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Instructions

Build the flavor base: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Toast the spices: Add the chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
Add the main ingredients: Stir in the shredded chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, and chicken broth. Lightly season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Make it creamy: Lower the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream. Heat the soup without bringing it to a boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crunchy tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, fresh chopped cilantro, and a generous squeeze of lime juice. Optionally add avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream to enrich the dish.

Notes

Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor.
Rinsing the black beans reduces sodium and improves texture.
Do not boil the soup after adding cream to prevent curdling.
Adjust chili powder based on preferred spice level.
Garnishes can be customized with jalapeños, shredded cheese, or diced tomatoes.