Dinner

Mexican Chicken Soup with Lime and Tortilla Chips Recipe

Name: Mexican Chicken Soup with Lime and Tortilla Chips Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 ancho or other large dried chilli, deseeded and softened in boiling water for about 10 mins; ½ tsp ground cumin; 400g can plum tomatoes; 1½ l chicken stock; 2 chicken breasts, sliced; juice of 2 limes; Tortilla chips or homemade tortilla strips; Chopped avocado; Lime wedges; Red onion, thinly sliced; Coriander leaves; 6 corn tortilla wraps; Olive oil spray or a little olive oil for brushing; Salt and pepper, to season

ByLuna Ryder November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

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Introduction

This Mexican chicken soup is vibrant and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal. With smoky dried chili and fresh lime, it offers a wonderful balance of flavors that will brighten any dinner table.

A deep white bowl filled with bright red soup, topped with strips of light beige fried tortilla, pieces of green avocado, fresh green cilantro leaves, and chunks of white chicken meat in the middle. Around the bowl on a wooden board, there are three small white bowls containing finely chopped red onion, diced avocado, and lime wedges. A silver spoon rests to the right of the bowl. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 ancho or other large dried chili, deseeded and softened in boiling water for about 10 mins
½ tsp ground cumin
400g can plum tomatoes
1½ l chicken stock
2 chicken breasts, sliced
Juice of 2 limes
Tortilla chips or homemade tortilla strips
Chopped avocado, lime wedges, red onion, and coriander, to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic, and soften for about 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
Step 2: Stir in the softened dried chili, ground cumin, canned tomatoes, and chicken stock. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend in batches, or use a hand blender directly in the pan until smooth.
Step 3: Return the blended soup to the pan and bring it to a boil. Add the sliced chicken breasts, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with tortilla chips or homemade tortilla strips, chopped avocado, lime wedges, red onion, and fresh coriander for garnish.

Tips & Variations

Make your own tortilla strips by cutting corn tortillas into thin slices, lightly brushing with olive oil, seasoning, and baking at 200°C (fan 180°C/gas 6) for 4-5 minutes until golden.
You can substitute shredded leftover cooked chicken or turkey for the chicken breasts—use about 250g and simply simmer in the soup until heated through.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot. For best texture, add fresh toppings like avocado and tortilla strips just before serving.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with rich red tomato-based soup, topped with shredded cooked chicken pieces that have a light brown sear, thin pale yellow strips of fried tortilla, small bright green avocado cubes, and fresh green cilantro leaves placed on top. The bowl is set on a wooden board with a shiny metal spoon on the side. Around the bowl, there are three small white bowls; one holds chopped red onions, another contains green avocado cubes, and the last one has wedges of green lime. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of chili?

Yes, you can substitute ancho chili with other dried chilies such as guajillo or chipotle for a different flavor profile, adjusting the quantity to taste.

Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and omit the chicken. You can add cooked beans or grilled vegetables for added protein and texture.