Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup (Only 8 Net Carbs!)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

Imagine the bold, zesty flavors of authentic Mexican chicken tortilla soup—now picture enjoying every spoonful guilt-free with only 8 net carbs per serving! This keto chicken tortilla soup delivers all the rich, spicy, comforting goodness you crave from traditional tortilla soup while keeping your carb count low and your taste buds thrilled. The broth is deeply flavorful with layers of smoky chipotle, earthy cumin, and bright lime, while tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and fire-roasted tomatoes create satisfying texture in every bite. What makes this soup truly special is how the flavors intensify overnight, making it even more delicious the next day—perfect for meal prep! Top it with all your favorite garnishes like creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, melted cheese, and fresh jalapeños for that authentic tortilla soup experience without the carb-heavy tortilla strips. Whether you’re following a strict keto diet or simply looking for healthy, flavor-packed meals, this one-pot wonder comes together in just 50 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have. Use rotisserie chicken to cut the time in half, or make a big batch to freeze for quick weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

This low-carb chicken tortilla soup contains only 8 net carbs per hearty serving while delivering authentic Mexican flavors that rival any restaurant version. The recipe comes together quickly using simple, easy-to-find ingredients with no specialty items required. Using rotisserie or leftover chicken cuts prep time in half, making this perfect for busy weeknights. The flavors actually improve overnight as seasonings meld together, making it ideal for meal prep. It’s completely freezer-friendly and stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week. The rich, spicy broth is packed with vegetables and protein, keeping you satisfied for hours. Customize with endless topping combinations to make it your own perfect bowl.

Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

Bold, spicy keto chicken tortilla soup with only 8 net carbs! Loaded with Mexican flavors, tender chicken, and vegetables. Freezer-friendly and tastes better the next day!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex

Servings 6 servings

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Medium soup pot
• Medium skillet
• Two forks or meat claws for shredding
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

For the Soup Base

• 1/2 pound chicken breast about 2 breasts – or use rotisserie chicken
• 6 cups chicken broth divided – bone broth for extra nutrition
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil for sautéing
• 1/2 cup onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 jalapeño seeded and finely diced – adjust for heat

Tomatoes and Chilis

• 14.5 ounces canned crushed tomatoes one standard can
• 4 ounces canned diced green chilis one small can
• 1 Roma tomato fresh, diced

Mexican Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin earthy Mexican spice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder adds depth and mild heat
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder creates smoky flavor
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice brightens flavors
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped – optional if you don’t like it
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper freshly ground

Optional Garnishes

• avocado diced or sliced
• sour cream dollop
• shredded cheese pepper jack or Monterey Jack
• fresh jalapeño slices for heat
• lime wedges for serving

Instructions

 

• Add chicken breasts to medium soup pot with 4 cups chicken broth. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken and set aside to cool, keeping broth in pot.
• Heat avocado oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeño. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and translucent.
• Scrape all sautéed vegetables into the pot with chicken broth. Add crushed tomatoes, diced green chilis, diced fresh Roma tomato, and remaining 2 cups chicken broth. Stir to combine.
• Add ground cumin, chili powder, and chipotle powder. Stir well. Let soup simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
• While soup simmers, use two forks or meat claws to shred cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding any bones or skin.
• Add shredded chicken to soup pot. Cover and simmer for additional 10 minutes to let chicken absorb flavors.
• Stir in fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top with desired garnishes: diced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

Notes

Time-Saver: Use rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken—skip step 1, add shredded chicken in step 6, cuts time by 15 minutes.

Spicier: Use serrano instead of jalapeño, leave jalapeño seeds in, or double chipotle powder.

No Cilantro: Simply omit if you don’t like it—soup is still delicious.

Better Next Day: Flavors intensify overnight. Make ahead for meal prep!

Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week in airtight containers.

Freezing: Chill overnight first, then freeze 4-5 months in airtight containers or Souper Cubes.

Keto Stats: 8g net carbs per serving. Skip high-carb garnishes like tortilla strips.

Authentic Touch: Toast low-carb tortillas, break into strips for topping.

Keyword chicken tortilla soup, freezer soup, keto chicken tortilla soup, keto meal prep, keto soup, low carb tortilla soup, Mexican keto soup

What You Need for Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

Essential Soup Base Ingredients

• 1/2 pound chicken breast – about 2 breasts, or use rotisserie chicken
• 6 cups chicken broth – divided, homemade bone broth adds extra nutrition
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil – for sautéing aromatics
• 1/2 cup onion – diced for sweet aromatic base
• 2 cloves garlic – minced for pungent depth
• 1/2 jalapeño – seeded and finely diced, adjust for heat preference

Tomatoes and Chilis

• 14.5 ounces canned crushed tomatoes – one standard can
• 4 ounces canned diced green chilis – one small can
• 1 Roma tomato – fresh, diced for bright flavor and texture

Bold Mexican Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin – earthy, essential Mexican spice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder – adds depth and mild heat
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder – creates smoky flavor
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice – brightens all the flavors
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro – adds fresh herbaceous notes
• 1 teaspoon salt – adjust to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper – freshly ground

Garnishes for Serving

• Avocado – diced or sliced
• Sour cream – dollop on top
• Shredded cheese – pepper jack or Monterey Jack
• Fresh jalapeño slices – for extra heat
• Additional cilantro – for garnish
• Lime wedges – for squeezing

How to Make Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Cooking the Chicken

1. Simmer chicken (15 minutes): Add chicken breasts to medium soup pot with 4 cups chicken broth. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes until chicken is tender, cooked through, and reaches 165°F internal temperature.
2. Cool chicken (5 minutes): Remove chicken from broth and set aside to cool slightly while keeping the flavorful broth in pot. (This poaching liquid becomes your soup base.)

Step 2: Building Flavor Base

3. Sauté aromatics (6 minutes): Heat avocado oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeño. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and translucent. (The jalapeño will become milder as it cooks.)
4. Combine with broth (2 minutes): Scrape all sautéed vegetables into the pot with the chicken broth, making sure to get all the flavorful bits from the skillet.

Step 3: Adding Tomatoes and Seasonings

5. Add canned ingredients (2 minutes): Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced green chilis, diced fresh Roma tomato, and remaining 2 cups chicken broth.
6. Season the soup (1 minute): Add ground cumin, chili powder, and chipotle powder. Stir well to combine all seasonings evenly throughout the broth.
7. Simmer for flavor (10 minutes): Let soup simmer over low heat for 10 minutes to allow all flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Shredding and Finishing

8. Shred chicken (3 minutes): While soup simmers, use two forks or meat claws to shred cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding any bones or skin if present.
9. Add chicken back (10 minutes): Add shredded chicken to soup pot. Cover and simmer for additional 10 minutes to let chicken absorb all the delicious flavors.
10. Final seasonings (2 minutes): Stir in fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. (Lime juice brightens everything!)

Step 5: Serving

11. Garnish and serve (2 minutes): Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top with diced avocado, dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Expert Tips for the Best Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

Use rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken to cut prep time in half—just skip step 1 and add shredded chicken in step 9. Grilled chicken adds wonderful smoky flavor to the soup. For spicier soup, use serrano chili instead of jalapeño or leave some jalapeño seeds in. Fresh Roma tomato adds lovely texture and bright flavor, but can be omitted if you don’t have any. Don’t like cilantro? Simply skip it—the soup is still delicious without it. Make soup spicier by adding extra chipotle powder or a dash of hot sauce. The flavors intensify overnight, so this soup actually tastes better the next day. Toast low-carb tortillas and break them into strips for authentic crunch topping. Try our Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup for a slow cooker version.

How to Store and Serve Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

Store cooled soup in airtight containers in refrigerator for up to 1 week—the flavors actually improve with time! For freezer storage, chill soup thoroughly overnight first, then package in airtight containers or freezer bags for 4-5 months. Souper Cubes are perfect for freezing individual portions that stack easily. To reheat, thaw overnight in refrigerator then warm gently on stovetop or in microwave until heated through. This hearty soup stands alone as complete meal with 8 net carbs per serving. For sides that won’t compete with bold flavors, serve with keto chaffles, simple wedge salad, cut vegetables with creamy jalapeño dip, or low-carb bread. Set up garnish bar with all the toppings so everyone can customize their bowl.

Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Variations You’ll Love

Create slow cooker version by adding all ingredients except lime juice and cilantro to slow cooker, cooking on low 6-8 hours, then stirring in fresh ingredients before serving. Make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup by pressure cooking chicken with broth 10 minutes, shredding, then using sauté function for vegetables before adding remaining ingredients. Try spicy version with extra chipotle powder, serrano peppers, or hot sauce stirred in. Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower rice for more nutrition. Create creamy version by stirring in 1/2 cup heavy cream at the end. Make it white chicken tortilla soup by using white beans (adds carbs), tomatillos instead of tomatoes, and extra lime. For more Mexican-inspired keto meals, try our Mexican Lasagna and Cheesy Taco Rice made with cauliflower rice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup

Final Thoughts on This Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

This keto chicken tortilla soup proves that following a low-carb diet doesn’t mean sacrificing the bold, authentic flavors you love. With only 8 net carbs per serving but all the rich, spicy, comforting goodness of traditional tortilla soup, this recipe delivers serious satisfaction while keeping you on track with your health goals. The combination of smoky chipotle, earthy cumin, bright lime, and fresh cilantro creates layers of flavor that rival any Mexican restaurant. The fact that it tastes even better the next day makes it perfect for meal prep, while its freezer-friendliness means you can always have a healthy, delicious meal ready to go. Whether you’re using rotisserie chicken for a quick weeknight dinner or simmering your own for maximum flavor, this soup comes together easily and feeds a crowd. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest at for more amazing keto and low-carb comfort food recipes!