Tortillas aren’t just garnish, they’re a stealth thickener. When simmered then blended, corn tortillas release starch that adds body without cream. Blooming spices in oil unlocks fat-soluble flavors, while lime juice balances tomato acidity. Build on that with high-protein chicken, high-fiber corn and beans, and crisp tortilla strips for crunch.
1) Aromatics + spice bloom (flavor base)
- Warm 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot.
- Add 1 small diced onion, 1 diced poblano (or green pepper), 2 minced garlic cloves, pinch salt; cook 5–6 min.
- Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp smoked paprika, ⅛ tsp oregano; cook 60–90 seconds until brick-red and fragrant.
Why: Aromatics + oil help bloom spices, preventing raw, dusty flavors.
2) Liquids + tortillas (body without cream)
- Add 800 g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1.25 L (5 cups) low-sodium chicken stock, 2 small corn tortillas torn into pieces (about 50–60 g total), 1 bay leaf.
- Simmer 12–15 min; the tortillas soften and begin thickening.
3) Protein + veg (satiety + color)
- Add 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (poached, leftover, or rotisserie), 1½ cups corn kernels (frozen or fresh), 1 cup black beans (rinsed).
- Simmer 5–8 min to heat through.
4) Finish + balance (bright, clean)
- Fish out bay leaf.
- Optional body: Immersion-blend one or two ladlefuls of soup, or blend the softened tortilla pieces only—then return to the pot.
- Stir in juice of 1 lime, salt to taste, and fresh cilantro.
- Top with baked tortilla strips, avocado, crumbled queso/feta, Greek-yogurt dollop, radish, jalapeño, more lime.
Nutrition snapshot (per 1½-cup serving, with beans & baked strips; estimates): 320–380 kcal, 26–32 g protein, 8–11 g fiber, sodium varies with stock and toppings.
Sodium control: start low, salt at the end; many packaged stocks are 500–800 mg per cup—another reason to finish with lime, not more salt.
Serves 6
You need:
- Oil 1 tbsp; onion 1 small; poblano 1; garlic 2 cloves
- Tomato paste 1 tbsp; chili powder 1½ tsp; cumin 1 tsp; smoked paprika ¼ tsp; oregano ⅛ tsp
- Crushed tomatoes 800 g; low-sodium chicken stock 1.25 L; bay 1
- Corn tortillas 2 (torn); shredded chicken 2 cups; corn 1½ cups; black beans 1 cup
- Lime 1–2; cilantro; salt
- Baked tortilla strips (cut tortillas into strips, toss with a drizzle of oil + salt, bake 190 °C/375 °F for 8–10 min)
Method: Follow the core method above.
Why it works: Tortillas build silkiness; beans + corn add fiber; lime keeps it bright.
- Swap in 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Use passata (no-cook tomato purée) to shorten simmer.
- Microwave frozen corn to thaw fast; add beans straight from can (rinsed).
- Finish with lime + cilantro.
Time: 20–25 min total.
Pot sequence:
- Sauté aromatics + spices on Sauté.
- Add stock, tomatoes, two tortillas, raw boneless chicken breasts (450–500 g), bay.
- Pressure Cook 7 minutes, Natural Release 10 minutes.
- Shred chicken; add corn + beans; simmer on Sauté 2–3 min.
- Blend a ladle to thicken; lime + cilantro; toppings.
6–8 hours LOW or 3–4 hours HIGH:
- Into the crock: onion, poblano, garlic, spices, tomato paste, tomatoes, stock, raw chicken thighs (700 g), bay, two torn tortillas.
- Shred chicken; stir in corn + beans for last 20–30 min.
- Lime + cilantro; toppings.
- Blend half the soup (including tortillas and some beans) until velvety, then return to pot.
- Optional dairy-free richness: whisk 2 tbsp cashew butter into a cup of hot soup, then stir back in.
- Keep toppings fresh and crunchy to contrast the creamy base.
1) How do I thicken a chicken corn tortilla soup recipe without cream or flour?
Simmer corn tortillas in the broth and blend a ladleful. The starch from the tortillas naturally thickens the soup.
2) Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—use corn tortillas and verify stock, spices, and chips are labeled GF.
3) What if my soup tastes flat?
Add lime juice and a pinch of salt at the end. If it’s still dull, bloom ½ tsp chili powder in 1 tsp oil, stir in.
4) Can I use frozen corn and canned beans?
Absolutely. Rinse beans; thaw corn briefly. Quality remains high and prep is faster.
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