Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

This keto chicken tortilla soup recipe has all the qualities to become the easiest (and dare-I-say favorite!) meal in your dinner rotation. Tender shreds of chicken thighs in a broth swimming with tomatoes and diced onions, seasoned with cumin and chili powder and alllll the special things that create that yummy, southwestern flavor. Top off a bowl with crispy fried strips (made with low carb tortillas) and whatever toppings your heart desires (sour cream, avocado, fresh cilantro- preferably all of them if you know what's good for you).

This low carb chicken tortilla soup has the same bold, Mexican flavors that you would expect from a traditional tortilla soup. But this easy recipe has much fewer net carbs and is a healthier version you can make any night of the week!

Keto chicken tortilla soup is:

• intensely flavorful (increase or decrease the amount of spice to your preference)
• low-carb and keto-friendly
• gluten-free and dairy-free (use dairy-free sour cream or cheese as toppings if you wish)
• ready in under 30 minutes

It's meaty. It's soooo good. And best of all, it's incredibly quick and simple to throw together.

I'm a year-round soup person- it doesn't matter what the temperature is outside, I will happily take a cozy, comforting bowl of soup if one is available (my favorites: keto mushroom soup, low-carb cauliflower soup with roasted garlic and this cabbage and sausage soup with roasted vegetables).

What I love about this low-carb chicken tortilla soup recipe is that it has fresh, zesty and spicy notes, which are always "in season." Even if you typically don't partake in soup year-round.

how to make chicken tortilla soup

This keto-friendly version doesn't deviate too much from a traditional chicken tortilla soup recipe, but it does lack a few ingredients that the classic soup would normally have.

To make it low-carb, skip the beans and the corn and swap the tortilla chips for a lower-carb option.

A store-bought or homemade tortilla is up to you (find a tortilla recipe here if you prefer a cleaner option than what is available at the grocery store). Or, omit it entirely! The soup is delicious on its own, loaded with your favorite toppings.

the ingredients

• avocado oil
• yellow onion, diced
• garlic, minced
• green chiles
• canned petite-diced tomatoes
• chicken broth or stock
• chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• cumin
• chipotle powder (optional, see notes)
• chili powder
• salt and pepper
• dried oregano
• nutritional yeast (optional)
• lime (optional)
• keto tortillas, cut into thin strips
• toppings of choice (avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, fresh limes/ lime juice, grated cheese, etc.)

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the process

This is an easy chicken tortilla soup recipe that is low-effort and perfect for any sort of dinner-in-a-flash situation. Here's a quick summary but be sure to check out the full recipe card at the bottom of the page.

1. Sauté the onions and garlic. In a large pot on the stovetop, heat the oil over medium and add the onions. Sauté about 5 minutes or until they soften. Add the minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
2. Combine the ingredients. Add in the cans of diced tomatoes, green chiles, chicken broth, salt and pepper and the rest of the seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil then add in the whole, raw chicken thighs. Reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer the soup for 20 minutes.
3. Fry the tortilla strips. While the soup simmers, heat two tablespoons of avocado oil in a small frying pan. Fry the tortilla strips until golden brown- about five minutes over medium heat. Remove and allow them to cool on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Shred the chicken. After the soup has simmered, remove the cooked chicken pieces from the pot. Cool on a plate for a few minutes, then use two forks to pull the meat apart, shredding the chicken. Return the chicken to the pot and stir.
5. Serve. Turn off the heat and stir in the nutritional yeast. Squeeze the juice of a lime into the soup. Allow it to cool, then ladle into bowls. Top with the fried tortilla strips and ingredients of choice (sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, etc.!).

keto tortilla soup recipe notes

• Save the tortilla strips as a topping- don't stir them into the soup or they will get soggy and break apart after a while.

• Adjust the spice level to your preference. If your spiciness tolerance is low, I recommend omitting the chipotle powder. However, the heat level will vary based on the toppings used. I serve this soup to my kids and stir in a little sour cream to make it less spicy.

• Skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for chicken thighs, but I prefer thighs because they are more flavorful and tender (and more affordable).

• For a really easy soup, use pre-cooked shredded chicken (for instance leftover rotisserie chicken works great for this). You can reduce the cook time to about 10 minutes and add the shredded chicken in at the very end.

• My keto fajita seasoning is another delicious seasoning mix you can use in this soup!

• Store leftover low carb chicken tortilla soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

This is such a great recipe and I know it'll come through for you time and time again! It's a healthier version of chicken tortilla soup that the whole family will enjoy, and it's easy to adapt and make your own.

If you try this keto tortilla soup, let me know! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram (@stemandspoon). I LOVE seeing what you're making. 🙂

you might also love...

• If you're a fan of this easy tortilla soup recipe, how about another keto chicken soup? This keto chicken soup is more of a classic, packed with meaty chicken shreds, lots of herbs and aromatics, and finished off with a squeeze of fresh lemon. It's also paleo, dairy-free and gluten-free.

• A slice of this keto cornbread is the perfect side to any soup! This one's easy to make and works with just about any meal.

• Keto chili is a family favorite and I guarantee you'll have leftovers. A quick dinner is wonderful but not having to cook the next day? Totally ideal. 😉

• Low-carb green chicken enchiladas, an amazing, comfort food of a meal that your family will request over and over!