South of the Border Tortilla Soup - Standard Recipe
You Will Need
- 1 South of the Border Tortilla Soup Mix
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
- 1 cup water
- 2 or 3 cups of shredded, cooked chicken breast (8-12 oz.)
- 1 jar (12-16 oz.) salsa (choose mild, medium, or HOT!)
- (optional garnish: 4 oz. tortilla chips or tortilla strips)
Here's What You Do
- In a 4-qt pot bring broth and water to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in soup mix, chicken and salsa.
- Return to a simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
- Serve as is, or with tortilla chips on top!
Got leftovers? Learn how to cool, store, and reheat soup safely in our guide to soup storage and food safety.
Cooking & Nutrition Tips
Use the tips below to customize nutrition, boost flavor, or stretch the soup to fit your needs.
Reducing Sodium?
All of our mixes contain no added salt, only what occurs naturally in the ingredients. To further reduce sodium, use a low-sodium broth, bone broth, or stock. Organic broths often contain less sodium, and homemade broth gives you the most control. To lower sodium while keeping flavor, swap salsa for 1 can of no-salt-added diced tomatoes and add ¼ teaspoon cayenne or one chopped fresh chili for heat.
Chicken Prep Options
Starting with raw chicken? Simmer boneless, skinless chicken breasts in water or broth for 12–15 minutes, until cooked through (165°F). Let rest briefly, then shred or dice and add to the soup.
Shortcut: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.
Boosting Protein?
Increase the chicken-to-broth ratio, add more black beans, swap broth for bone broth, and top with cheese or Greek yogurt. Utilizing shredded chicken thighs adds more flavor and density, while blending cottage cheese into the base creates a creamy texture with a significant protein increase.
Cutting Calories/Fat?
Use boneless, skinless chicken breast and low-sodium broth. Reduce fat further by using non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and limiting cheese topping.
More Veggies?
Add hearty aromatics (onions, garlic, carrots, celery), zucchini or summer squash, and mixing in additional corn and black beans for texture. Boost nutrition further by adding diced bell peppers, sweet potatoes, spinach, or kale to the simmering broth.
Interested in whole grains or extra fiber?
Incorporate ingredients like additional black beans, quinoa, brown rice, or barley, which provide a hearty texture and increase nutritional value. Extra fiber can be added through increased vegetables such as corn, bell peppers, or leafy greens, while using high-fiber toppings like avocado or crushed whole-grain tortilla chips.
Serving and Garnish Ideas
Top with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack or cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Enhance the meal with sides like Mexican rice, quesadillas, or a simple green salad for a complete, comforting experience.
Cooking Methods
Slow Cooker
We do not recommend using a slow cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.
Pressure Cooker
We do not recommend using a pressure cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.
Dietary Adaptations
Vegan
Our amazing top seller mix is delicious even without the chicken!
You Will Need:
- 1 South of the Border Tortilla Soup Mix
- 2 Tbsp. oil
- 1 large sweet potato, diced
- 6 cups vegetable broth (48 oz.)
- 1 jar (12-16 oz.) salsa (choose mild, medium or hot)
- 1 can (14 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed.
- Garnish: 4 oz. tortilla chips, crumbled, or tortilla strips
- Optional: 1 can (14 oz.) of Hominy for authentic Mexican addition and a thicker soup
Here’s What You Do:
- In a 4-quart pot, heat oil and sauté the sweet potato for 3 minutes.
- Bring broth to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in mix. Add salsa.
- Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
- Add black beans for 5 minutes. Add hominy, if desired.
- Serve as is, or crumble chips into bowls and pour hot soup on top!
Vegetarian
Skip the chicken and add 2 diced chayote squash or 1 large sweet potato (microwave first)
Gluten Free
This soup is naturally gluten free when prepared as directed. No special substitutions are needed.
Dairy Free
This soup is naturally dairy free when prepared as directed. No special substitutions are needed.
Recipe Variations
Looking to switch things up? A few simple tweaks can make this recipe your own.
Shrimp Tortilla Soup: Replace chicken with shrimp and add during the final minutes of cooking for a lighter, seafood-forward version.
Sweet Heat Twist: Stir in chopped mango during the final 5 minutes of cooking to balance spice with subtle sweetness.
Build-Your-Own Salsa Base: Use no-salt-added diced tomatoes instead of salsa and customize the heat with cayenne or fresh chili.
Inspired by our customers. Thanks to David A., Karen, Adah S., Karen N., Dave S., Laurie, Melissa G., Judy C., Kristin, Betsy, Laura, Marcia D, Emily, Mary, and Dedra for sharing their ideas. Have a favorite twist of your own? Send us an email or leave a review on the product page.
