New Twist on Old Fave: Tortilla Soup

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The first time I wrote about tortilla soup on this blog, the girls were playing cops and robber at recess and were so young I had to call it “taco soup” because tortillas were just so, you know, sophisticated (read: intimidating) sounding. The second time I wrote about it (as an ideal “deconstructable dinner“) was May, 2012, a month away from publishing my first book. Three books, five years and approximately seventy-five pairs of Nike cleats later, I’m sorry to say, loyalists: I need to write about it again.

Except I’m not really that sorry, because this is a new version of the soup that has somehow taken it from a meal to be tolerated to a meal that my kids routinely beg us to make for them. And I hope it becomes that for you, too.

Falling in love with it all over again started on vacation this past August. We flew to South Carolina with Andy’s parents for our annual stay at their beach villa, and though the flight went smoothly, we got caught up in some rental car drama and weren’t in our white Dodge Durango heading home until almost 8:00 pm. Everyone was tired and hungry and wanted to just be settled, so we decided to swing by the local supermarket for a very targeted mission: breakfast stuff for the morning, plus the basic ingredients for a shortcut tortilla soup — rotisserie chicken, onion, tomato paste, chicken broth, onion, shredded cheddar, avocado, and a bag of tortilla chips. I told Andy to time me when he dropped me off at Harris Teeter’s — I was in and out in under seven minutes.

At home, while everyone was unpacking, I sautéed the onion in a pot, added some salt, pepper, chile flakes, tomato paste, poured in the broth. While it came to a simmer, I sliced an avocado, used my fingers to shred the chicken on a platter and placed everything on the table with bowls of broth. We were all seated around the table within 15 minutes, and maybe it was because of the whole hunger-is-the-best-sauce thing, or maybe the rotisserie chicken at Harris Teeter’s is particularly flavorful, I don’t know, but I could tell by the girls’ eyeballs that something special was going on here that never had gone on before. It wasn’t just them: My father-in-law talked about that 15-minute soup all week long.

A few weeks later, when I had a little bit more time, I made it again, this time frying tortilla strips instead of buying store-bought chips (a trick I picked up in Melissa Clark’s Dinner) and simmering some chicken breasts in a stash of homemade chicken stock that I had on hand for exactly this kind of thing. Paydirt.

When Abby requested it for dinner yesterday, I told her I thought I had everything I needed so yeah, that would be fine.

“Do you have tortillas” she asked. “Because I’m never not having it without those tortilla strips.”

After attempting to decipher the triple negative, I concluded she approved of the tortilla strips. And lucky for her — for all of us — I had a pack of tortillas in the freezer. Bonus: Game 4 of the ALCS was on, one of the few occasions where dinner in front of the TV is mandatory, so we got to enjoy the soup while the Yankees came from behind to tie the series. I’d call that a win-win.

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Tortilla Soup

It’s all about the toppings really. None of which (except those tortilla strips) need to be cooked. Makes 4 servings. Feel free to substitute store-bought chips for the homemade ones.

1 small onion, diced (a little more than 1/3 cup)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 jalapeno, seeds and pith mostly removed, minced (or a few shakes of chile flakes)
1 garlic clove, halved
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 large uncooked salted and peppered chicken breasts (or rotisserie chicken or any kind of cooked chicken)
5 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade
3 flour tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch-wide-ish strips as shown above
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lime, quartered
Any or all of the following toppings: Sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, chopped scallions

In a medium-large soup pot, over medium heat, cook onions, salt, pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in olive oil until onions are slightly wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste so it coats everything and let sizzle for a minute or so.

If using uncooked chicken breasts, add them to the pot, along with the chicken broth. If using rotisserie chicken or already cooked chicken, just add broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer about 12 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. If you are not cooking your own chicken, you only have to simmer for a few minutes, until the broth is warmed through.

Meanwhile, add vegetable oil to heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) and turn heat to medium-high. Fry strips in batches until golden and crispy, about 30 seconds a side. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. (Suggestion: Cover them with paper towels, too, so they are not visible, or else you run the risk of passers-by, not naming any names, stealthily pilfering them, leaving you to wonder why you never seem to have enough no matter how long you stand there frying the dumb things.)

Remove chicken, shred with two forks and add back to pot. (If it’s not entirely cooked through, let it simmer another few minutes.) If using rotisserie chicken, add to pot now. Fish out the garlic halves.

Add all toppings, including tortilla strips, to a platter or cutting board and place on your table. Ladle soup in bowls, squeeze the juice from one lime quarter into each serving, and have everyone customize his or her own bowl.

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25 Comments

Awads

The Teet!!! i can’t be in and out of there in 7 minutes until i learn how to work the Self-Check-out. But this soup sounds like just the thing to serve a bunch of exhausted parent friends after we host the school fall festival. Thanks for the idea!

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Wendy R.

“leaving you to wonder why you never seem to have enough no matter how long you stand there frying the dumb things.)”. 🙂

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Kate

Any suggestions for making this vegetarian? Sounds delicious but can’t think of a good substitute for the chicken.

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Helena

The taco soup from your book is my son’s absolute favorite thing I make. I have to double the recipe each time and he demands on eating it out of a mixing bowl so he can have as much as possible. My other son just likes it for the chips. 🙂

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Wendy Campbell

Sounds delish! Do you have a go-to for a side to be served with soup? I always reach for crescent rolls…

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Anu

Tortilla soup is a favorite in our home too. Ours includes cumin powder, smoked paprika powder and corn kernels.

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Karen

This is a stand-by for my family, in fact we had it last night (now that we’re into cooler weather months, minus the 90 degree temps outside in San Diego), and my husband and I both remarked how much we love it.

I prepare it in the slow-cooker, makes for a great weeknight meal. I add a chicken breast (raw), and any veggies we have around, plus a half-can of diced tomatoes and half-can of black beans (any beans will do; also fine to omit). A container of organic chicken stock, set on low for 7 hours. We cut up corn tortillas (to the size of chips) and bake them in the oven until crisp.

Extra delicious with shredded cheese, avocado, and sour cream.

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Anne Rogers

I was sure I would find a “‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ wins Man Booker Prize!!!!!!” post today. Congratulations to George Saunders and Andy!

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Annie

Jenny – I cannot even tell you how delicious this was! I went the rotisserie chicken/storebought tortilla chip route
(Fairway tortilla chips – so good!) and it took about 15-20 minutes, TOTAL. We added ripe cubed avocado, chopped scallions, crumbled tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime. Like you said – it’s all about the toppings but the broth was so delicious, too. THANK YOU! New keeper for us!

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Colleen

This was delicious and the perfect antidote to a chilly, damp, gray day. My favorite thing about this soup is that it can be thrown together during my baby’s morning nap and will be perfect by lunch time.

Thanks for the new staple!

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Kirsten

I know you have been talking about this soup for year, but I have never put it on my ‘to make’ list. I was so wrong! It took this ‘new twist’ version to make me really wonder what all the fuss was about, but wow, it is such an easy weeknight dinner and the kids love it and ask for it often. I have since added the following to my personal version:
while the onions, I add a teaspoon of ground cumin and when I add the chicken I add some finely chopped cilantro stems. The broth is amazing! Finally, so that we get some legit veg in our dinner, some chopped kale or collard greens in last few minutes of simmer. Thanks for keeping at this one until I finally heard you!!!!

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Barbara

Thanks for the reminder… One twist I have done is at the ‘add tomato paste’ step, also add a can of refried beans (vegetarian if you’re inclined), whisk in, then add the chicken broth. It adds some heft to the broth and is delicious. Not my idea, but I can’t remember where I got it from. And in place of chicken, I have used cooked ground turkey because sometimes I have that in the freezer… thanks Jenny!

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ruthie

i’ve never commented on a food blog before – but this soup is so perfect for a busy weeknight meal!! we have made it countless times just during this cold spring! so fast, so delicious, and so filling. thank you!

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Megs

Since reading this post I have made this soup countless times and all three of my children as well as my husband will partake. This to me is a massive win! I have made it is as basic as chicken broth with chicken, cheese and taco chips, and added loads of veggies for myself. Thanks you!!

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