Cheesy Turkey (or Chicken!) Tortilla Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips.
I have THE BEST idea for your leftovers.
No. Seriously. The absolute best. It’s warm, cheesy, comforting and topped with homemade chips.
Why is life so good?
Okay, so here’s the most exciting thing about this soup. Have you ever tried Max and Erma’s chicken tortilla soup? It’s so rich and cheesy and wonderful? We used to go crazy over it in college and heck, I think I even had some when I was pregnant. It’s probably my mom’s favorite soup ever. It’s just
to
die
for.
So, I really wanted to recreate that but I had no idea how. THEN IT HIT ME.
I didn’t realize that it was called chicken “tortilla” soup because there could be actual tortillas in the soup. Like this tortilla soup I made this past summer! Oh my gosh. That was it. That was the trick.
Well, that and a whole boatload of cheese.
Maybe not a boatload. But a rather heavy handed sprinkle.
Yes, you’re going to put corn tortillas IN your soup! And let them cook down and thicken the soup. It’s the best thing I’ve discovered in all of 2016. It’s a fantastic way to thicken soup without cream or milk. Amazing!
Also, the toppings. Life is all about the toppings. Wouldn’t you agree? I crisped up the remaining corn tortillas (because, um, why not) and piled them high on the soup with a little extra cheese. The crunch and texture is everrrrything.
You guys HAVE to try this. It’s so wildly delicious that I can hardly stand it! Use up your leftover turkey or make it with chicken. Either way… it’s perfection. Probably going to make it once a week forever. And ever.
Turkey Tortilla Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 4 4-inch corn tortillas, cut into pieces
- 4 ounces monterey jack cheese, freshly grated
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 8 ounces cooked and shredded turkey breast or chicken breast!
- for topping: fresh cilantro, extra cheese, avocado, thinly sliced radish, fresh lime
tortilla strips
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Stir in the onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook until the onions soften, about 5 to 6 minutes. Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken stock and add the tortilla pieces. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. You could also use an immersion blender, but I find that they spray everywhere. Pour the soup back into the pot and heat it over low heat. Stir in the cheese, one handful at a time, until melted. Stir in the turkey (or chicken!). Cook on low until the soup is heated through. Taste and season additionally if needed.
- Serve in bowls and top with avocado, radish, tortilla chips and the leftover cilantro.
tortilla strips
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Slice the tortillas into thin strips. Add them in batches, not crowding the pan, until they crisp and become golden brown. Remove them and place on a paper towel to drain excess grease. Repeat with remaining tortillas!
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Let’s really use those leftovers and make cranberry margaritas!
40 Comments on “Cheesy Turkey (or Chicken!) Tortilla Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips.”
love how it’s so cheesy! normally i sprinkle a handful on top and call it a day, but 2 kinds melted in sounds amazing!
What a perfect day-after-Thanksgiving dinner!
Yum! Looks delicious! In the directions, you say to “cook the onions, peppers and garlic…”. But there aren’t any peppers in the ingredient list. Do you use Jalepenos?
What a great idea for leftovers, looks delicious!
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be haappier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…Heres a good example of what I’m doing, …….>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
Yum! Chili is one of my favorite weeknight dinners to make this time of year and I am loving that you added turkey!
Wasting food is one of the worst things we could do. Thank you for this great idea ! Happy holidays !
I always get that soup when I go to Max and Erma’s in the Detroit airport. It is good. Totally trying this out at home.
$ 89 per hour Seriously, I do not know why more people have not tried it, I work two shifts, 2 hours in the day and 2 in the evening … and I receive an unsatisfactory check for $ 12520 which is genial is Im Works from home if I get more time with my children.
This is what I do. >>>>>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
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Delicious! Just made this using leftover smoked turkey breast. Reminds me of the other tortilla soup you make with corn which we also love! such a great way to use leftover turkey!
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be haappier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…Heres a good example of what I’m doing, …….>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
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what a great idea re: tortillas made a part of the soup! For me this is a double leftover bonus (turkey + corn tortillas). since I am never able to ever use up those huge packs of corn tortillas! thank you for this!
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be haappier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…Heres a good example of what I’m doing, …….>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
I followed the recipe exactly, and it was SO good. Wouldn’t change a thing. Already looking forward to the leftovers!
Max & Erma’s Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of my (285167) ultimate comfort foods. This is PERFECT.
Made it without the cheese to make it kosher and it was a great way to use up the turkey! Cilantro and avocado on top. Yum!
Veryy tasty
★★★…
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This soup was AMAZING! I didn’t have corn tortillas so I used flour and added corn, extra spices. Loved it!
Loved this soup! I modified it a bit to accommodate my mom’s low carb diet, so I omitted the tortilla. I still used an immersion blender to thicken it a bit, and with the cheese it still turned out creamy and delicious! And lest we forget…Give me all the toppings.
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This is my husbands favorite soup now! I’ve made it with Thanksgiving leftovers of smoked turkey, and with Cinco de Mayo leftovers of crockpot salsa chicken. I like to add corn and black beans at the end as well. Yum!
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So we’re not in the US but the grocery stores do have a Thanksgiving theme in the hot food area on American (and Canadian) Thanksgiving days so when we hit them up I’ll get extra turkey so I can make this soup :D.
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This is the second year I’ve made this and pretty sure it’s gonna be a tradition. I love this soup basically as much as I love the Thanksgiving dinner. Kids ate it too— win.
This soup was amazing. Perfect use for the last of my turkey. Will put this recipe on repeat. The flavor was incredible!
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