Recipe Background
Jennifer Garner Chicken Tortilla Soup connects past and present, with a zesty lime twist.
The first time I made this chicken tortilla soup was during my transition back to childhood memories, heading back to my old home for a weekend visit. You see, my mom used to make a version of this soup every time the winter chill hit. She would often toss those familiar no-salt-added diced tomatoes and beans right into a pot, filling the house with an aroma that felt like a warm hug. Returning to that memory, I decided to recreate her magic with my own twist, just as she would’ve encouraged.
I always keep boneless chicken breasts in my fridge, and this time I was excited to mix in Southwest seasoning to infuse some extra zest. The trick is letting the slow cooker do its job, allowing the flavors to meld into harmony over a few hours. But here’s the tip my mom swore by: always pour some fresh lime juice at the end for a bright, citrusy kick. It’s a small step, but it makes all the difference in pulling the dish together.
As I ladled the soup into bowls, topping each with tortilla strips and a dollop of Greek yogurt, it struck me how food has this beautiful power to connect the past and present. It’s like every spoonful was a memory served anew. If you’re trying this at home, make sure to let the chicken rest a bit before shredding, so it keeps all those delightful juices locked in. Serve up a bowl when you’re needing a touch of nostalgia or simply a flavorful accompaniment to your weekend reminiscing.
Ingredients
For the soup:
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (10-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes and green chilies undrained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Southwest seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings:
- corn tortilla strips or tortilla chips to taste
- lime wedges to taste
- cheese to taste, shredded
- onion to taste, diced
- avocado to taste, sliced
- fat-free plain Greek yogurt to taste
- cilantro to taste, chopped
Directions
- Add the chicken breasts, the tomatoes, the chicken stock, the black beans, the diced tomatoes and green chilies, the corn, 1 cup of the diced onion, the jalapeño, the garlic, the Southwest seasoning, and the salt to a slow cooker and stir.
- Secure the lid and set to cook on low until the flavors have melded together and the chicken is cooked through, about 6-8 hours.
- Once the soup is nearly done, use a large spoon to pull the chicken apart into smaller pieces.
- Pour the soup into bowls and top with the tortilla strips, the lime wedges, the cheese, the extra diced onion, the avocado, the Greek yogurt, and the cilantro.
- Serve.
×