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This Cheesy Southwest Chicken Soup is loaded with corn, potatoes, and cheese! Perfect for chilly weeknights and family gatherings!
Table of Contents
- Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- What’s Needed for Southwest Chicken Soup?
- How to Make Southwest Chicken Soup
- How to Make Shredded Chicken
- What to Serve with Tortilla Soup
- How to Store Southwest Soup
- Can You Freeze Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup?
- Can I Double This Recipe?
- Can I Make Southwest Chicken Soup in a Crockpot?
- Can I Use Ground Beef Instead of Chicken?
- Tips for Making Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- More Easy Soup Recipes:
- Cheesy Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
We originally posted a recipe for this classic chicken tortilla soup that’s an organic, mostly from scratch option. It’s a wonderful soup, but I told Cade that I kept having this nagging feeling that I should post the original recipe. And we all know you should never ignore those feelings. So let’s dive into a quick and easy cheesy Southwest chicken soup recipe.
I first learned this creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe in college, and though I’ve occasionally felt a little guilty for how ridiculously unhealthy it is thanks to the salsa con queso, cream of potato soup, and sour cream I still LOVE IT.
I know, your arteries are literally closing themselves up just at the thought. But it’s worth it, so get out your fat pants, and let’s settle in to a big bowl together.
What’s Needed for Southwest Chicken Soup?
There are a lot of chicken taco, chicken tortilla, and cheesy tortilla soup recipes out there but this is the one that everyone obsesses over. I actually don’t have the original recipe from the Gillespie family, and I’m not sure how to reach out to them to get it, so this is just the one in my head. I’m sure it’s close, and it’s definitely our favorite as I’ve just changed things to fit my tastes.
Here’s what I use in this creamy tortilla soup recipe:
- Tostitos Salsa Con Queso
- Chicken broth
- Sour cream
- Cream of potato soup
- Diced green chiles
- Cilantro
- Taco seasoning
- Chicken
- Corn
What is Salsa Con Queso?
Salsa con queso is a mixture of queso cheese dip and salsa.
How to Make Southwest Chicken Soup
I’ve given detailed instructions on how to make this cheesy chicken tortilla soup in the recipe card below, but here are the basic steps:
- Cook and shred the chicken.
- Add all the ingredients into a large soup pot and stir to combine.
- Let simmer for 1 to 2 hours.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and sour cream, if desired. Enjoy!
How to Make Shredded Chicken
The best shredded chicken, in my humble opinion, is made by baking, not boiling the chicken.
- Place chicken breasts in a dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cover with foil.
- Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes, no more, no less.
- Shred using two forks to pull apart the meat or plop it into a KitchenAid mixer and mix with the paddle attachment to shred.
What to Serve with Tortilla Soup
Yes, the Tostitos Scoops chips are an essential part of the recipe. You can do it two ways, but no other chip works and we’ve tried. This one just tastes the best with it and no, this isn’t a sponsored post, haha. Our kids love to use the chips like spoons and scoop the soup, one of their only opportunities to be allowed to eat soup without a spoon.
Or if you’re too hungry classy like I am, I crumble the chips on top and eat it with a spoon.
How to Store Southwest Soup
This Southwest chicken soup should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It’ll last up to 1 week.
Can You Freeze Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup?
I love that this cheesy chicken tortilla soup can be heated and eaten right away or simmered on the stove. And it tastes perfect for up to a week after.
I don’t love it frozen, though. Anything with cream isn’t awesome frozen. But that’s ok, you won’t have a drop left to save.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Absolutely! This creamy tortilla soup is easy to double, triple, heck you can even go lunch lady-style and quadruple this sucker. Make it, love it, and report back to me. 🙂
Can I Make Southwest Chicken Soup in a Crockpot?
Yes! Be sure the chicken is cooked and shredded first, then cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
Can I Use Ground Beef Instead of Chicken?
That’d be delicious! If using ground beef, make sure to brown it before adding the rest of the ingredients to the pot.
Tips for Making Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- For the broth: We like a thick soup, so sometimes we add a little less broth than what the recipe calls for.
- For the taco seasoning: We generally do a little less than one taco seasoning packet so it’s not too spicy for everyone.
- For the corn: I often throw in more corn because the kids love it. Use canned or frozen!
- For the cilantro: My mom actually uses about 1 -2 Teaspoons of dried cilantro, but I don’t enjoy it with dry cilantro. If you’re a cilantro hater, you can omit it altogether.
More Easy Soup Recipes:
- Meatball Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Cheesy Ground Beef Enchilada Chili
- Classic Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Instant Pot Taco Soup
- The Ultimate Cheeseburger Soup
- Better Than Grandma’s Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Classic Instant Pot Chili
- Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder
- Cheesy Meatball Soup
- All of our soup recipes!
Cheesy Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- Salt and Pepper
- 3 Chicken Breasts
- 15 Ounce Tostitos Salsa Con Queso
- 10.5 Ounces Soup, cream of potato, (1 standard can)
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 3/4 Cups Chicken Broth, (or 1 14.5 ounce can) *see note
- 2 Ounces Green Chiles , fire roasted diced, *see note
- 2 Cups Frozen Corn , *see note
- 1 Packet Taco Seasoning , *see note
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro, plus more for garnish *see note
- Tostitos Scoops Chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on each side of the chicken and place in a baking dish.3 Chicken Breasts, Salt and Pepper
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and using two forks, shred the meat and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the salsa con queso, cream of potato soup, sour cream and chicken broth. Whisk to combine.15 Ounce Tostitos Salsa Con Queso, 10.5 Ounces Soup, 1 Cup Sour Cream, 1 3/4 Cups Chicken Broth
- Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in the chiles, corn, taco seasoning, cilantro and chicken.2 Ounces Green Chiles , 2 Cups Frozen Corn , 1 Packet Taco Seasoning , 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
- Bring to a simmer and serve or keep on low for an hour or two.
- Serve with Tostitos Scoops chips.Tostitos Scoops Chips
- Store in a plastic container, sealed in the fridge for up to 1 week. Do not freeze.
Recipe Notes
- Green chiles: One whole can of diced green chiles is normally used.
- Broth: We like a thick soup so sometimes we add a little less broth.
- Taco seasoning: We generally do a little less than one taco seasoning packet so it’s not too spicy for everyone.
- Corn: I often throw in more corn because the kids love it.
- Cilantro: My mom actually uses about 1 -2 Teaspoons of dried cilantro but I don’t enjoy it with dry cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Want to see what others are saying about this soup after they’ve tried it? Check out our PIN and all of the great reviews!
This is our new favorite go-to soup! My whole family loves it. I have to make double, and there are never ANY leftovers!
Isn’t it the best ever?! We make it all the time, especially in the winter! I’m so glad your family loves it as much as we do!
Sounded good until I seen that your soup takes a can of soup. Makes no sense to me. It’s like adding milk to milk. Use fresh, make it homemade.
Hey Joy! We love the flavor and creaminess that it adds, but you can omit it or make your own from scratch. It’s totally up to you!
How can you call this homemade soup when you open cans and jars of stuff?
Hi Rose! It’s never referred to as homemade in the post. This soup is meant to be quick and easy and delicious which involves some shortcuts. If you want a more from scratch version of this soup, we have our classic chicken tortilla soup (https://ohsweetbasil.com/chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe/).
Then make your own from scratch!
Why are people so ignorant!!
Absolutely delicious! One of the best soups I’ve ever made. With snow outside, this hit the spot. Would not change a thing!!!
Oh it’s so perfect for a snowy day! Thank you so much for the feedback Renee!
Then make your own from scratch!
Why are people so ignorant!!
Has anyone tried this in an Instant Pot? I don’t normally have the 1-2 hours to simmer the soup during the week.
Hi Pam! I wouldn’t try it in the Instant Pot. There are too many creamy ingredients that wouldn’t hold up well. You can simmer for less time on the stove top. It just won’t have as much depth of flavor.
Do you think I throw it all in the crock pot?
Yes! It works in the crock pot just great! There is actually a section about that in the post.
This soup is still on the stove but I’m writing a review since I’ve tasted it and it’s AMAAAZING!
I pretty much followed it to a T with the exception of swapping one of the cups of corn out for sauteed onions since hubs isn’t a corn lover.
I would like to challenge some of the comments and the original blog text about how unhealthy this recipe is, and remind everyone that there are the following nutritious ingredients that make up the soup: potatos, corn, cilantro, chicken, chicken broth, and even the queso and sour cream have nutritional benefits. Beyond this the soup is incredibly comforting and satisfys more than one’s physical hunger and that is a part of good “nutrition”.
I wouldn’t normally comment on a recipe with this information, Oh Sweet Basil was recommended to me as being a non-diet, body positive embrace food type of blog, and I’ve found it to be such otherwise, but was put off by the “unhealthy” label put on the recipe. It’s soup. It can just be soup. It doesn’t have to be unhealthy, or even healthy soup. Let’s stop buying into this diet culture bullshit.
And again, the soup is really good <3 I'm excited to try your other recipes!
Thank you for the feedback Ashley! I like that…it can just be soup! And you don’t have to eat everyday, so all things in moderation! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It is so dang good! It’s always a good day when it’s on the dinner table! Happy Holidays!
I don’t know how I stumbled on your blog but I’m so glad I did because I want to make everything! This recipe was my first one from your site and it was AMAZING. One of the best soup recipes I’ve ever tried for sure. Only thing I did differently was use cream of chicken because they didn’t have cream of potato at my store. I topped it off with chopped jalapeno and cilantro when serving. Will definitely make again…and again!
Thank you so much Danica! I’m so glad you loved this soup! Those substitutes sounds perfect too! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!
where is the cheese if it is cheesy
The salsa con queso is like nacho cheese dip. So good! Enjoy!
CANNOT stop eating this soup! So so good!
Riiiiggghhhht?! It is so good and totally addicting! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!
What can we use if we don’t have cream of potato soup? I have a lot of potatoes! Haha would that work??
Cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soups would also be great. You could definitely make your own cream of potato soup if you want! Enjoy!
This looks really good. I have a feeling that this is going to be my favorite soup. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
Enjoy! We would love to hear what you think!