Description
This easy Chicken Tortilla Soup offers a comforting bowl filled with tender chicken, smoky turkey bacon, vibrant spices, and creamy plant-based cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, this soup combines wholesome ingredients for a rich, layered flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Tender chicken breasts, diced – 2 cups
- Smoked turkey bacon – 4 slices
- Chopped tomatoes (canned or fresh) – 1 can (14 oz) or 1 1/2 cups fresh
- Onion, chopped – 1 medium
- Garlic cloves, minced – 3
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) – 1 tablespoon
- Chili powder – 1 tablespoon
- Cumin – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Black beans, drained and rinsed – 1 can (15 oz)
- Chicken broth – 4 cups
- Plant-based cheese, small chunks or shredded – 1 cup
- Tortilla strips or chips – 1 cup
- Fresh cilantro, chopped – 1/4 cup
- Lime juice – 2 tablespoons
Optional Variations
- Diced jalapeños – 1 small (for spicy kick)
- Smoked paprika or chipotle powder – 1 teaspoon (for smoky flavor)
- Extra vegetables: corn (1 cup), diced zucchini (1 cup), or bell peppers (1 cup)
- Natural gelling agent – 1 teaspoon (to thicken soup)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a large pot over medium heat until browned and aromatic. Remove and set aside, leaving the flavorful fat in the pot. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in the same pot until soft and fragrant to create a rich base.
- Add spices and tomatoes: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, and salt, stirring for about 30 seconds to release their aroma. Pour in chopped tomatoes and stir in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Let the mixture simmer gently to deepen the flavors.
- Incorporate chicken and broth: Add diced chicken breasts and pour in chicken broth. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and flavors meld.
- Add beans and finish cooking: Stir in black beans and optional natural gelling agent if desired. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to heat through. Just before serving, stir in small chunks of plant-based cheese to melt slightly.
- Prepare toppings and serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy turkey bacon pieces, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and crunchy tortilla strips or chips for texture and brightness.
Notes
- Use freshly ground chili powder and cumin for best aroma and flavor.
- Allow the soup to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let flavors blend perfectly.
- Toast tortilla strips in the oven for extra crunch and to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust salt gradually and taste as you cook to maintain balanced seasoning.
- For faster cooking, shredded rotisserie-style chicken can be added near the end of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Chicken Tortilla Soup, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, spicy soup, gluten free soup, easy chicken soup
