Go Back
chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe

chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe

A smoky, tangy, restaurant-style tortilla soup inspired by BJ’s—made lighter and fresher at home.Perfect for quick dinners, meal prep, or when you want comfort without heaviness.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Cooked shredded chicken Rotisserie works best
  • 4 cups Chicken broth Low sodium preferred
  • 1 cup Crushed tomatoes Not too acidic
  • 1 small Onion chopped Yellow or white
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh not paste
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing
  • 1 tsp Cumin powder Adds warmth
  • 1 tsp Chili powder Adjust spice
  • ½ tsp Smoked paprika Key flavor
  • 1 cup Corn kernels Fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup Black beans Rinsed
  • 1 Lime juice Add at end
  • Salt To taste Adjust slowly
  • Pepper To taste Fresh cracked

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife + chopping board
  • Ladle

Method
 

Step 1. Start With the Base (Don’t Rush This)
  1. Heat olive oil in a pot.
    chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe
  2. Add onions → cook until soft and slightly golden.
  3. Then garlic goes in. Let it cook for about 30 seconds—just until fragrant.
  4. I once burned the garlic here. Entire batch tasted bitter. Don’t walk away.
Step 2. Toast the Spices (Game Changer)
  1. Add:
    chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe
  2. cumin
  3. chili powder
  4. smoked paprika
  5. Stir for 30–40 seconds.
  6. You’ll smell it instantly—warm, smoky, slightly earthy.
Step 3. Build the Soup Body
  1. Pour in:
  2. crushed tomatoes
  3. chicken broth
  4. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Then reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 4. Add the Good Stuff
  1. Now add:
    chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe
  2. shredded chicken
  3. corn
  4. black beans
  5. Simmer another 10–15 minutes.
  6. This is where everything blends together.
Step 5. The Final Touch (Important)
  1. Turn off heat.
    chicken tortilla soup bjs recipe
  2. Add fresh lime juice.
  3. Taste → adjust salt and pepper.
  4. Adding lime earlier dulls the brightness. I tested this twice.

Notes

Always add toppings right before serving for best texture.