Cozy Up with Ina Garten’s Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

Warm, comforting bowls of Ina Garten Mexican chicken soup recipe often spark memories of cozy winter evenings and delightful flavor combinations.

Hearty ingredients dance together in a symphony of spices and textures that promise pure culinary satisfaction.

Her approach turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Rich broth mingles with tender chicken, creating a robust meal that feels both nourishing and exciting.

Fresh herbs and zesty seasonings bring depth to every spoonful.

Colorful vegetables add vibrancy and nutrition to this classic soup.

This recipe delivers a delicious escape that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Equipment Guide for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting chicken evenly and creating a non-stick surface.
• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Perfect for simmering soup and developing rich flavors.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping vegetables, slicing tortillas, and shredding chicken.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and spices like cumin and coriander.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and mixing soup ingredients.
• Tongs or Shredding Forks: Useful for handling and shredding cooked chicken with ease.

How to Put Together Mexican Chicken Soup

• Chicken Preparation

Roast chicken breasts in the oven until perfectly cooked, allowing them to cool before gently shredding the meat into tender pieces.

• Vegetable Foundation

Sauté carrots, celery, and onions in olive oil, creating a rich aromatic base that will infuse the soup with deep, warming flavors.

• Spice and Stock Blend

Introduce garlic and vibrant spices like cumin and coriander into the pot, then pour in chicken stock and crushed tomatoes to build a robust liquid foundation.

• Tortilla Magic

Slice corn tortillas into delicate strips, adding them to the simmering liquid to create a rustic, authentic texture that absorbs the soup’s complex flavors.

• Flavor Harmony

Allow the soup to gently simmer, letting all ingredients meld together and develop a rich, comforting profile that celebrates Mexican culinary traditions.

• Finishing Flourishes

Return shredded chicken to the pot, adjusting seasonings to create a perfectly balanced soup that’s both hearty and vibrant.

• Delightful Presentation

Serve piping hot, topped with creamy avocado slices, tangy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla chips for a spectacular dining experience.

Flavor Boosts for Mexican Chicken Soup

• Adjust the spiciness by removing jalapeño seeds or adding extra for a bolder kick. Roast fresh peppers for deeper flavor complexity.
• Swap chicken with shredded turkey, pulled pork, or black beans for delicious alternative protein options. Vegetarians can use plant-based protein substitutes.
• Roast chicken breasts in advance and store shredded meat in refrigerator for faster soup assembly. Freeze soup in portions for convenient future meals.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to increase nutritional value. Experiment with different colored vegetables for visual appeal.
• Soup tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently for best results.

Fun Ways to Serve Mexican Chicken Soup

• Spice Up Your Soup Bowl: Pile on fresh avocado slices, adding creamy texture and rich flavor that complements the soup's warmth.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle grated Cheddar cheese generously, letting it melt slightly into the hot soup for an extra indulgent touch.
• Crunch Factor: Scatter broken tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crispy element that adds delightful contrast to the soup's smooth consistency.
• Fresh Finish: Dollop cool sour cream on the surface, creating a tangy counterpoint to the soup's robust Mexican-inspired flavors.

Keeping Mexican Chicken Soup Fresh and Ready

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain fresh flavors and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top. Freeze up to 3 months for a quick future meal. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm soup slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick. Avoid microwave reheating to keep tortilla strips crisp.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and roast chicken a day in advance to streamline cooking. Keep ingredients separately sealed in the refrigerator until ready to combine and simmer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Ina Garten Mexican Chicken Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Succulent and lean protein that forms the hearty core of this comforting soup, best when organic and free-range for richer flavor.
• Chicken Stock: Provides deep, savory foundation with robust chicken essence, choose low-sodium for better seasoning control.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic trio that builds complex flavor layers, select fresh and crisp vegetables for maximum taste.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent kick that elevates the entire soup's depth, opt for fresh cloves over pre-minced versions.
• Jalapeños: Introduces vibrant heat and Mexican-inspired zest, remove seeds for milder spiciness.
• Cilantro: Brings bright, fresh herb notes that complement the soup's rich profile, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates silky, tangy base with authentic Mexican soup character, San Marzano variety recommended.
• Tortillas: Provide delightful textural element and traditional Mexican soup authenticity, corn tortillas work best.
• Cumin, Coriander: Warm, earthy spices that transport taste buds to Mexican culinary landscape, use freshly ground for intense aroma.
• Olive Oil: Delivers smooth cooking medium and subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.

Comforting Ina Garten Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican chicken soup delights palates with rich, warming flavors from fresh ingredients. Spicy broth and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts, bone-in, skin on
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 to 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 2.5 quarts (2.4 L) chicken stock
• 1 (28 oz/794 g) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander seed
• ¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas
• Sliced avocado
• Sour cream
• Grated Cheddar cheese
• Tortilla chips
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Roast Chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat chicken breasts with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked, then cool and shred meat.
2. Vegetable Foundation: In a large pot, sauté carrots, celery, and onions in olive oil over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds to release aromatics.
3. Liquid and Seasoning Infusion: Pour in chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, jalapeños, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Slice tortillas into thin strips and fold into the brewing liquid.
4. Simmer and Develop: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Reintegrate shredded chicken and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Serve and Embellish: Ladle soup into bowls, topping with sliced avocado, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and crumbled tortilla chips for a vibrant, textural finish.

Notes

• Chicken Preparation Tip: Ensure chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee food safety and tender meat.
• Flavor Boosting Technique: Sauté vegetables slowly to develop a rich, caramelized base that enhances the soup’s overall depth and complexity.
• Tortilla Strip Secret: Cut tortilla strips uniformly for consistent texture and even distribution throughout the soup.
• Garnish Like a Pro: Add fresh garnishes just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant flavors, preventing soggy toppings.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer.
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg