Vibrant Ina Garten Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

Simmering mexican chicken soup unleashes a flavor tornado that electrifies your taste buds.

Culinary comfort arrives with a spicy twist, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Bold spices and tender chicken dance together in a symphony of deliciousness.

Packed with vibrant vegetables and robust seasonings, this soup delivers a knockout punch of nutrition and taste.

Each carefully crafted spoonful tells a story of traditional cooking with a modern spark.

Fresh herbs and perfectly balanced heat elevate this dish from simple to spectacular.

Spice and Veggie Tips for Balance

• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeños. For milder soup, remove jalapeño seeds before chopping. Hot sauce lovers can splash extra cayenne or serrano peppers for an intense kick.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with shredded turkey, pulled pork, or even black beans for vegetarian options. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly as a time-saving shortcut when preparing this recipe.
• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Cook chicken and chop vegetables in advance during weekend meal planning. Store prepped ingredients separately in refrigerator to streamline weeknight cooking process.
• Freeze-Friendly Technique: This soup freezes beautifully for up to three months. Store in airtight containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat slowly on stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain texture.

How to Serve Mexican Soup at Home

• Serve Alongside Fresh Sides: Pair the soup with a crisp green salad dressed in lime vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy soup.
• Create a Mexican-Inspired Feast: Complement the tortilla soup with Mexican rice, warm corn tortillas, and a small plate of pickled jalapeños to enhance the dining experience.
• Elevate with Gourmet Toppings: Customize each bowl with premium garnishes like fire-roasted corn kernels, crumbled queso fresco, and a drizzle of Mexican crema for added depth and richness.
• Plan a Cozy Family Meal: Serve the soup in large, rustic bowls during cool evenings, encouraging family members to mix and match toppings for a fun, interactive dinner.

Soup Storage That Keeps Flavor Intact

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of tortilla soup and freeze portions for quick weeknight meals that save time and reduce cooking stress.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety by storing without added garnishes.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace to allow expansion, and store for up to 3 months for convenient future meals.
• Ingredient Preservation Tip: Store tortilla strips separately from soup to maintain their crispiness, adding them just before serving to prevent soggy texture and preserve perfect crunch.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ina Garten Mexican Chicken Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Choose plump, uniform breasts without discoloration for even cooking.
• Chicken Stock: Select low-sodium varieties to control salt levels, preferably organic.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Pick firm, vibrant produce without soft spots or blemishes.
• Garlic: Select heads with tight, papery skin and no sprouting.
• Jalapeños: Choose bright green peppers with smooth, glossy skin for maximum heat.
• Fresh Cilantro: Look for bright green leaves without wilting or yellowing.

• Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander: Opt for freshly ground spices from reputable brands for robust flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use kosher salt for better texture and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Diced Tomatoes: Select canned tomatoes with no added preservatives.
• Tortillas: Choose corn tortillas for authentic taste and texture.

• Avocado, Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese, Tortilla Chips: Pick ripe avocados, full-fat sour cream, sharp cheddar, and crispy corn chips for maximum enjoyment.

Soup Tools for Bold, Cozy Flavors

• Baking sheet: Large, flat pan for roasting chicken evenly.
• Large pot: Spacious cooking vessel for simmering soup ingredients.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for chopping vegetables and tortillas.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise chopping and slicing.
• Measuring cups: Accurate tool for measuring stock and ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing soup components.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup neatly into individual bowls.
• Colander or strainer: Optional for draining any excess liquid.
• Kitchen tongs: Useful for handling and shredding chicken.

Making Ina’s Mexican Chicken Soup Step-by-Step

Spice Up Your Kitchen with Hearty Chicken Soup

• Roast the Chicken

Warm your oven to a cozy temperature. Place chicken on a baking sheet, drizzle with golden olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until the meat becomes tender and fully cooked. Let it rest and cool down completely.

• Transform Chicken into Delicate Shreds

Gently pull apart the cooled chicken, discarding skin and bones. Tear the meat into delightful bite-sized pieces ready for soup magic.

• Create Vegetable Foundation

Swirl olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Allow vegetables to dance and soften, releasing their rich flavors. Stir in minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Build Soup's Flavor Profile

Pour in chicken stock, diced tomatoes, and spicy jalapeños. Sprinkle ground cumin and coriander to awaken the soup’s soul. Season with salt and pepper, balancing tastes until perfectly harmonized. Let the mixture bubble and simmer, developing deep, complex flavors.

• Add Crispy Tortilla Twist

Slice tortillas into delicate strips and scatter them into the simmering soup. Watch them transform and blend seamlessly with the broth.

• Bring Soup to Life

Reunite shredded chicken with the bubbling mixture. Scatter fresh cilantro for a bright, herbal touch. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring every spoonful bursts with excitement.

• Serve with Flair

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls. Invite guests to personalize with toppings like creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla chips.

Hearty Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Mexican chicken soup blends zesty flavors with hearty ingredients for a comforting meal. Tangy cilantro, rich broth, and tender chicken create a warming dish you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts (bone in, skin on, 2 whole)
• 2.5 quarts/2.4 liters chicken stock (preferably homemade)
• 2 cups/480 ml onions (chopped, 2 onions)
• 2 cups/480 ml carrots (chopped, 4 carrots)
• 1 (28 oz/794 g) can whole tomatoes in puree (crushed)
• 1 cup/240 ml celery (chopped, 2 stalks)
• 4 large garlic cloves (chopped)
• 2–4 jalapeno peppers (seeded and minced)
• 6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander seed
• ¼ to ½ cup/60-120 ml fresh cilantro leaves (chopped, optional)
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Sliced avocado (for serving)
• Sour cream (for serving)
• Grated Cheddar cheese (for serving)
• Tortilla chips (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Roast Chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F. Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cool, then shred meat, discarding skin and bones.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
3. Build Soup Base: Add chicken stock, tomatoes, jalapeños, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes.
4. Incorporate Tortillas: Slice corn tortillas into strips and add to simmering soup. Cook for 5 minutes until tortillas soften slightly.
5. Finish and Serve: Reintroduce shredded chicken and fold in fresh cilantro. Adjust seasonings to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with avocado, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla chips.

Notes

• Roast Chicken Perfectly: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F for juicy, safe meat without overcooking.
• Veggie Sauté Secret: Cook onions, celery, and carrots slowly to develop deep, sweet flavor base that enhances overall soup complexity.
• Spice Balance Tip: Toast ground cumin and coriander briefly in the pot before adding liquids to release their aromatic oils and intensify flavor profile.
• Tortilla Texture Trick: Cut corn tortilla strips uniformly and add them late in cooking to prevent becoming mushy while maintaining slight chewiness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Roasting, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg