By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on December 4, 2023 | Last Updated on December 4, 2023
Homemade chicken tortilla soup is the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day or to enjoy with friends and family. This flavorful and comforting soup is packed with delicious ingredients that come together to create a mouth-watering dish.
In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating your very own homemade chicken tortilla soup. With the perfect balance of spices, hearty chunks of chicken, and a variety of toppings to choose from, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.
What is Yard House Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Yard House chicken tortilla soup is a popular dish served at the restaurant chain Yard House. It is a Mexican-inspired soup made with a flavorful broth, and tender chunks of chicken, and topped with crispy tortilla strips for added texture.
The soup is also commonly garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and other toppings to enhance its flavor profile.
The Yard House version of chicken tortilla soup is known for its robust and complex flavors, thanks to the use of dried peppers and various spices. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Yard House Chicken Tortilla Soup?
There are many reasons to love this Yard House chicken tortilla soup. Here are just a few:
- It’s full of flavor: The combination of dried peppers, spices, and other ingredients creates a rich and delicious broth that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
- It’s easy to make at home: With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, this soup is easy to recreate in your own kitchen.
- It’s customizable: You can adjust the level of spiciness, add your favorite toppings, and even make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken.
- It’s perfect for any occasion: Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal on a cold day or a dish to impress your friends and family, this soup is versatile and delicious.
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The Ingredients
- Pinto beans: A generous portion of black or pinto beans adds earthy depth and hearty texture to your creation. These legumes are also packed with protein, making this soup a wholesome meal option.
- Chile ancho: This dried pepper, also known as poblano in its fresh form, offers a deeper, slightly fruity flavor with a gentle spicy kick. It is the perfect choice for this soup, as it adds depth and complexity to the broth.
- Chicken breast with rib: These tender pieces of chicken add a savory and meaty flavor to the soup. The addition of the rib also adds extra flavor and richness to the broth.
- Chicken bouillon: This ingredient enriches the broth with savory chicken goodness, providing a restaurant-style taste to your homemade soup.
- Corn tortillas: These soft and pliable tortillas are perfect for wrapping and absorbing the rich flavors of the dish. They also add a slight corn flavor to the soup, enhancing its overall taste.
- Sweet corn: A delightful portion of sweet corn provides bursts of sweetness and a touch of crunch in every bite. It adds a refreshing contrast to the savory broth.
- New Mexico or guajillo Chile pods: These dried peppers deliver a mild, smoky heat to your dish. They also add depth and complexity to the soup’s flavor profile.
- Cumin: This spice enhances the overall warmth and depth of your dish, adding a touch of earthiness and warmth.
- Cilantro: A modest handful of fresh cilantro infuses your dish with vibrant herbaceous notes. It adds a fresh and bright dimension to the soup.
- Garlic cloves: These aromatic cloves release their pungent and fragrant essence into your creation, adding depth and complexity to the broth.
- Black pepper: Whole black pepper provides a mild but distinct heat and aroma to the soup. You can adjust the amount according to your preference for spiciness.
- Bay leaf: This simple ingredient infuses the dish with a subtle, earthy aroma, even if using just one. It adds another layer of flavor to the soup.
- Water: water forms the foundation of your flavorful broth, ensuring a rich and satisfying texture throughout your dish.
- Roma tomatoes: These ripe tomatoes are bursting with juicy goodness and a hint of acidity.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Dried Peppers
- Begin by removing the stems and seeds from the dried peppers using a pair of kitchen scissors or your hands. Discard them.
- Next, rinse the peppers under running water to remove any excess dust or dirt.
- Add the dried peppers to a medium-sized pot and cover them with 3 cups of water.
Step 2
Simmer the Broth
- Place the pot with the peppers on the stove and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Add the Ingredients
- While the broth is simmering, prepare your other ingredients. Chop the onions, mince the garlic, and cube the chicken breast.
- After 10 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the broth to a blender and blend until smooth.
- In the same pot, add another cup of water along with the blended pepper mixture, chopped onions, minced garlic, cubed chicken breast, and the remaining ingredients.
Step 4
Cook the Soup
- Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, check if the chicken is fully cooked by cutting into one of the pieces. If not, continue to cook for a few more minutes.
Step 5
Serve and Enjoy
- Once the chicken is fully cooked and the soup has reached your desired consistency, remove the pot from heat.
- Serve the soup in bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or any other toppings of your choice.
Notes
- To make the soup vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable bouillon in place of chicken bouillon.
- For a spicier version, add more dried peppers or some cayenne pepper to the soup.
- Experiment with different toppings such as shredded cheese, diced avocado, or crushed tortilla chips to add even more flavor and texture to your soup.
Nutrition Information
How to Store Yard House Chicken Tortilla Soup?
- Allow the soup to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- It can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, simply heat it on the stove over medium-low heat until hot, stirring occasionally.
Variations
- For a creamier version, add some heavy cream or coconut milk to the soup while it is simmering.
- You can also add other vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots for added nutrition and flavor.
- For a heartier meal, add cooked rice or quinoa to the soup before serving.
Yard House Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Stirrer
Ingredients
- A generous portion of black or pinto beans adds earthy depth and hearty texture to your creation.
- 1/2 Chile ancho offering a deeper, slightly fruity flavor with a gentle spicy kick.
- 2 succulent pieces of chicken breast with rib imparting a savory and meaty flavor.
- Chicken bouillon enriches the broth with savory chicken goodness.
- 10 soft and pliable corn tortillas perfect for wrapping and absorbing the rich flavors of the dish.
- A delightful portion of sweet corn provides bursts of sweetness and a touch of crunch in every bite.
- 2-3 New Mexico or guajillo Chile pods delivering a mild, smoky heat to your dish.
- 1/2 tsp cumin enhancing the overall warmth and depth of your dish.
- A modest handful of fresh cilantro infuses your dish with vibrant herbaceous notes.
- A few aromatic garlic cloves release their pungent and fragrant essence into your creation.
- 1/2 tbsp whole black pepper providing a mild but distinct heat and aroma.
- 1 bay leaf infusing the dish with a subtle, earthy aroma, even if using a full one.
- 7 cups of water form the foundation of your flavorful broth, ensuring a rich and satisfying texture throughout your dish.
- 2-3 ripe Roma tomatoes bursting with juicy goodness and a hint of acidity.
- 1/2 onion contributing a subtle sweetness and depth to your dish’s flavor profile.
- Salt to taste, balancing and intensifying the flavors as needed.
Instructions
- Begin by removing the stems and seeds from the dried peppers using a sharp pair of kitchen scissors or your hands. Carefully discard them, making sure not to leave any behind. Rinse the peppers thoroughly under cool running water to remove any excess dust or dirt that may be present on the surface. Once clean, transfer the dried peppers to a medium-sized pot and cover them with 3 cups of water.
- On the stove, set the pot containing the dried peppers on medium-high heat and bring it to a roaring boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare your other ingredients. Finely chop the onions, mince the garlic, and cube the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. When the peppers are finished simmering, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Once cooled, carefully pour the pepper mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Using the same pot, add an additional cup of water along with your blended pepper mixture, chopped onions, minced garlic, cubed chicken breast, and remaining ingredients. Return the pot to medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes of cooking time, check if the chicken is fully cooked by cutting into one of the pieces. If not, continue to cook for a few more minutes until fully cooked and the desired consistency of the soup is reached. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh cilantro or any other toppings of your choosing.
Notes
- To make the soup vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable bouillon in place of chicken bouillon.
- For a spicier version, add more dried peppers or some cayenne pepper to the soup.
- Experiment with different toppings such as shredded cheese, diced avocado, or crushed tortilla chips to add even more flavor and texture to your soup.
FAQs
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker instead?
Yes, you can add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Can I use canned beans instead of dried ones?
Yes, you can substitute canned beans for the dried ones. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the soup.
Can I use different types of peppers for this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with different peppers based on your preference or availability. Just be sure to adjust the amount according to their spiciness level.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, a delicious and comforting bowl of homemade chicken tortilla soup. This recipe is easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy it as a meal on its own or pair it with some warm tortillas for a complete dining experience.
Now that you know how to make this flavorful dish, go ahead and give it a try! Thank you for reading. Please share this article with your friends and family if you found it helpful.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
