BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup
BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, flavor-packed soup that allows you to customize your toppings. The mix of the chicken broth, veggies, tender chicken, and all those tasty garnishes like avocado, cheese and tortilla strips makes it a very satisfying meal.
BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup
You know those restaurant dishes that are just so darn good, you can't help but crave them constantly? For me, it's the iconic chicken tortilla soup from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. This flavor-packed soup has been my go-to for years whenever I need a little Southwestern comfort food in my life.
What makes BJ's tortilla soup so insanely delicious? Well, let me break it down for you. It starts with a rich, savory chicken broth loaded with tender shreds of juicy white meat chicken. But it doesn't stop there - oh no. This heavenly soup also packs in sweet corn kernels, zesty diced tomatoes, and my favorite part - chunks of creamy, ripe avocado.
Then come the toppings that really send it over the top: a mountain of shredded pepper jack and cheddar cheese (because one cheese is never enough), a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro, and the pinnacle of crunch - salty, crispy tortilla strips. It's a tempting fiesta of flavors and textures in every spoonful.
But like many folks, I don't always have the luxury of swinging by BJ's whenever that tortilla soup craving hits. So I got determined to recreate that magic at home with my own twist on their famous recipe. Was it an easy feat? Not exactly. But after some trial and error (and maybe inhaling way too many samples), I finally nailed my own version that has all the soulful vibes of the original.
My homemade take definitely isn't shy on the bold, smoky Southwestern spices like cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika. To amp up that roasty, caramelized depth, I use fire-roasted diced tomatoes. A pop of heat and tang comes from freshly minced jalapeño and a good squeeze of lime juice.
I also throw in a curveball ingredient - black beans! They add protein and fiber for a heartier, more satisfying soup. And I couldn't resist topping it off with all the expected goodies - avocado, shredded cheeses, cilantro, crunchy tortilla strips or chips, maybe even a zesty dollop of sour cream.
Disclaimer: This is not the official BJ's recipe, just my humble recreation! But I'd challenge any tortilla soup lover to try this homemade version and not be blown away.
Whether I'm feeling under the weather or just need a cozy meal, this soup is my instant soul soother. One steaming bowlful and I'm transported to a Southwest cantina patio, a jalapeño margarita in hand (okay, maybe just in my imaginary happy place).
So if you're craving the tasty Californian-Mexican fusion of BJ's chicken tortilla soup but don't want to leave your kitchen, give my recipe a try! It's cheesy, creamy, spicy, crunchy bliss that I'm confident will rival even your favorite restaurant version. ¡Provecho!
BJ's Style Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
The Ultimate Comfort in a Bowl: My Homemade Take on BJ's Legendary Chicken Tortilla Soup
prep time with cook time.
Serves 6 and contains approximately 350 calories.
Mexican-American, Southwestern / Soup,
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes:
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Diced avocado
- Shredded pepper jack and cheddar cheese blend
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
Directions
- In a pot, poach the chicken breasts in the chicken broth until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken and shred. Reserve broth.
- In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, jalapeño, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the shredded chicken, reserved broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans and corn. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve soup topped with tortilla strips, avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro and a lime wedge.
This has some unique touches like using fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeño, lime juice, black beans and a blend of spices like smoked paprika. The pepper jack adds a little extra kick compared to just cheddar.
Check this video out about BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Rated 4.9 by 27 reviewers.
Recipe Tags: BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup, BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Published by: Dish Dupes
BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe FAQ
What makes BJ's Chicken Tortilla Soup so popular? BJ's version has become a cult favorite for its bold, layered flavors and mix of textures. The rich chicken broth, tender chicken, zesty tomatoes and corn provide the base, while toppings like avocado, cheese, crispy tortilla strips and cilantro add creamy, crunchy contrasts.
Is this an authentic Mexican tortilla soup recipe? No, BJ's tortilla soup is more of a Californian/Mexican-American fusion. It takes the spirit of a tortilla soup and adds some unique twists like pepper jack cheese and their proprietary blend of spices.
What type of chicken is used? BJ's uses strips of tender white meat chicken breast in their tortilla soup.
Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan? To make it vegetarian, you can omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For vegan, also leave out the cheese and sour cream garnishes.
What are some good substitutes for the jalapeño? If you want to tone down the heat, you can use a milder green chili like anaheim or poblano pepper instead of jalapeño. Or leave it out altogether.
Is this a spicy soup? It has a nice kick from the jalapeño, chili powder and other spices, but you can adjust the spice level to taste. Leave out the jalapeño and use less chili powder for a milder version.
What can I use instead of fire-roasted tomatoes? Regular diced tomatoes will work, you'll just miss out on some of the deeper, smokier notes that fire-roasted provide.
How do you recommend topping the soup? All the classic tortilla soup garnishes work great - crispy tortilla strips or crushed chips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, lime wedges and sour cream.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker? Yes, you can easily adapt this to the slow cooker. Cook the chicken in the broth on low for 6-8 hours until tender. Then shred it and add the remaining ingredients except garnishes and cook on low 2-3 more hours.
How long does the leftover soup keep? This soup will keep well refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You may need to add a splash of broth when reheating as the soup will thicken over time.
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