Crisp juicy bursts of sweet corn, savory soft crunch of sauteed onions, mild bursts of peppers, rich savory bursting tomatoes, creamy cheese, rich, grainy, full black beans… should I go on?
Tortilla Soup is a Texas Tradition.. like mild winters, jalapenos, chili and boots.
Tortilla Soup is rich and warm like a soft sweater on a cool winter’s day, a burst of slow, simmering warmth from a potbellied stove or the sharp sweet smokey scent of a mesquite fire.. Tortilla Soup, it is comfort.
Every Tortilla Soup recipe is a bit different and since I’ve been making it for about 12 years … it’s just a given that when Fall rolls around on our calendar, my tastebuds start tingling for the rich tomatoes, savory garlic and onions and the unique tang of cilantro and peppers that are only found in Tortilla Soup.
I warn you now.. this is not a side dish soup. Give Tortilla Soup it’s proper due. This is a meal.. to be eaten topped with lime juice, tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and avocado slices. It is a soup that deserves a moment of appreciating silence.
Be still and take a deep breath, savor the smells and anticipate the impending tonguegasm.
Your ingredients:
- 2 cans Black Beans (large)
- 1 can niblet corn (large)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (large)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped (yes, there are 2 pictured… I changed my mind)
- 8 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 2 (4 oz) cans green chilies
- 2 whole chickens (cooked, cooled and shredded)
- 2 Tbsp chili powder (+1 for chicken)
- 2 Tbsp oregano
- 2 Tbsp Cumin ( + 1 for chicken)
- 3 Tbsp Garlic Powder (+1 for chicken)
- 2 Tbsp Chipotle Chile Powder
- 2 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce, chopped
- 3 large tomatoes, chopped
- handful of fresh cilantro leaves
- 6 Bay Leaves
- 3 C fat free chicken stock
- 1 C water
**garnish***
- avocado
- lime, for juice
- tortilla chips
- shredded cheddar
- Sour cream
Boil a large pot of water and add two whole chickens, 1 Tbsp Chili Powder, 1 Tbsp Cumin, 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder, 6 Bay Leaves
Boil the chickens for about 10 minutes, turn off heat, cover and set aside.
While the chicken is cooking, chop all other ingredients.
In a large stock pot, over medium-high heat drizzle some olive oil, add in chopped garlic, onion and poblano pepper… cook, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 10 minutes or until fragrant and just translucent.
Add in chopped tomatoes, cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes.
Remove Chickens from pot, strain and set aside to cool
Dump in all other ingredients. Stir, bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer.. cover and cook.
When the chicken is cool enough, pull the meat from the bones and add it to the pot.
Continue simmering for AT LEAST 4 hours, tortilla soup.. like chili and many other sauces and soups gets better with time. The longer they cook, the richer the flavors and the better they blend. ( Day 3 of this, is my favorite day)
Serve this soup with crushed corn tortilla chips (or get fancy and use corn tortilla strips) a squeeze of lime, avocado slices, sour cream and shredded cheddar.
This is one of those recipes that makes enough to eat for a week and freeze enough for another week.
Give some to a friend or neighbor and you’ll have an ally for life.
This recipe has just enough heat that it simmers within you, warming you with a slow glimmering heat.. but not lighting the fire. It is rich, savory, filling, creamy… basically everything you can ask for in a soup. Perfect fall food.
Trust me, I’m a Texas Girl 
I made this on Wednesday and have eaten it every day since. It is THAT good.
Thank you for understanding my missing last Monday! Thank you for participating in the tonguegasmic food love that is Mouthwatering Mondays!
Make sure that you say Hi, leave a comment introducing yourself or sharing your thoughts on the most recent recipe, link up on MckLinky with your recipe url, link back here in your post with a tonguegasmic button and the MWM post url and then go around and say Hi to the other participants. Make sure that you have your drool bib firmly attached, I can’t be held responsible if you short circuit your keyboard because you’re salivating over the shared recipes.
Popularity: 54% [?]
Oh – I’ve never made this! It looks fantastic!
amy2boys´s last blog ..Shark Bites – The Mommy Can’t Do This and Drive Edition
Amy, it is sooo yummy!
… Granted it was 10AM by the time I was able to get around to eating… but, still 
I actually had it for breakfast the other day
NOM NOM
I’ve never seen a recipe call for 2 whole chickens! That’s a big one…wonder if it could be cut in half? Fourths?
Sounds like one my family would love – I’ve just discovered poblanos and think they’re quite wonderful.
Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship´s last blog ..5 Reasons I Love Apple Season
Hey Katie,
It’s two fryer chickens, which is a lot.. but, like I said.. it makes enough to eat and freeze!
You could absolutely cut down on the amount of chicken and it would reduce the recipe and be more “soupy” 
Or even halve the recipe
Poblanos are wonderful, aren’t they! I love them!
Wow, that looks so good! I do the same thing with soup – eat on it for days!
Mary´s last blog ..Deep Fried Sweet Vidalia Onion Strips
[...] For more mouthwatering, tonguegasmic recipes, visit with Rachel at A Southern [...]
I know what I’m going to be making this week. This sounds fabulous!
Tara R.´s last blog ..Mouthwatering Monday ~ Herb dipping oil
This sounds amazing. I think I lived in the south in a former life because southwestern food is my absolute favorite. We have a recipe for tortilla soup but I think yours sounds better!
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits ´s last blog ..Easy Salsa Chicken
You do like the southern foods
and I love ya for it!
The south has sooo many wonderful flavors and spices and everything is so rich and yummy!
I KNOW you’d love this
[...] For more great recipes, visit Rachel at A Southern Fairytale! [...]
I’m new to your site and participating in your Mouthwatering Monday for the first time. I’m looking forward to reading all the other posts!
Kari´s last blog ..Autumn-Glazed Chickpea Salad
Welcome! I’m thrilled you’re here with us!
I can’t wait to see what you’ve contributed this week! Have a great Monday!
As always, sound amazing – even at 7:30am before I’ve had coffee.
Michelle Smiles´s last blog ..Honey Wheat Bread
We eat soup for days too, and this recipe sounds delicious! Does it freeze well too?
SnoWhite´s last blog ..Kris Kringle Cakes
Hi SnoWhite
Yes ma’am.. It freezes beautifully!
I have 4 containers of it in my freezer right now!!!
Wonderful!! Thanks.
This looks incredible! Drool.
It’s FINALLY cooling off in Nashville this week and I love to make soups/chilis. I’ll definitely add this to our repertoire.
Jamie´s last blog ..These Ain’t Your Mama’s Chicken Tenders
sounds delicious perfect warm up meal for fall
That sure looks good, but your post today makes me sad. One, because I ordered chicken tortilla soup at On the Border a couple weeks ago and it was AWFUL. The chicken wasn’t cooked. Boo!!! Second, because I planned to make salsa for the first time over the weekend, and it just didn’t happen.
So now I’m hungry AND sad! Thanks a lot, Mouthwatering Monday!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..Fall Reading List
I just printed this recipe, and it sounds wonderful. I need to wait for a cold day this weekend to make it!
Sincerely, Jenni´s last blog ..Note to Self
I stopped by your blog to verify that you were still hosting your Monday “theme day”.
In case you aren’t sure why I would do that, please first go here: http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911712/today–/
and then read this one:
http://thehousethatlovebuilt.xanga.com/712911311/sept-theme-days/
I can see that you still are, so I shall leave you on the list
By the way, I really think you should be offering free samples to everybody who stops by this blog ;-p
THANKS!!!
Cheryl B.
Cheryl B.´s last blog ..use your oven
I love tortilla soup, I bet it is so good with chicken added. I am so glad to be following you. I love your blog, us southern girls gotta stick together. Glad to be included in the velveeta kitchenista with you. Have fun tomorrow.
Tina (Mommys Kitchen)´s last blog ..I’m a Velveeta it ~ Meal Plan Monday
YUMMY! I made this today – BUT I added more than the recommended “2 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce” b/c I like heat and hubbie LOVES heat
HOLY Crap – I should have stuck to the recipe!
YUMMY !!!! Hubbie was in heaven!!!!
That looks too good to be true.
Angella´s last blog ..Let Your Yay Be Yay
After working all day and coming home sick I was looking for chicken tortilla soup recipes….but alas, my chicken is frozen and it’s getting late….soo..another day for a soup of this type….think i’ll run to store, get roasted chicken and fake it!!! I soooo want this soup tonight
[...] Fairytale – This choice was based on her providing me with lots of yummy recipes, especially this one, which I will be trying this [...]