PF
Bowl of rich tortilla soup served with avocado slices, grated cheese, and bread.
Stovetop~40 minComplexity

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Chicken Tortilla Soup delivers 68g protein and 1689 calories total across 4 servings — substantial protein in a single bowl. Quick stovetop prep makes this ideal for cold-weather meal prep or when you're eating one large meal daily. Built for strength athletes who need calorie-dense meals that don't require constant reheating.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Pasilla Chile, Dried
  • Canned Diced Tomatoes
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth
  • Epazote, Fresh
  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(567g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • Avocado
  • Cheese, Monterey Jack, 2%(170g)
  • Tortilla Chips, Corn, Plain(960g)
  • Crema, Mexican(120g)

    Regular or fat-free both work. Fat-free is thinner but saves ~40 cal/serving.

  • Lime
  • Cilantro, Fresh(120g)
  • Cheese, Cotija, Crumbled(120g)

Instructions

  1. 1Toast the dried pasilla chile in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing it flat, until fragrant and slightly darkened. Break into pieces and add to a blender along with the canned tomatoes and their juice; set aside.
  2. 2Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring frequently, and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to the blender with the chile-tomato mixture and blend until completely smooth.
  3. 3Return the saucepan to medium-high heat. Pour the puree into the hot pan and stir constantly for 5–7 minutes until thickened to a paste-like consistency. Add the chicken broth and fresh epazote, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  4. 4Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Add to the simmering broth and cook for 5–7 minutes over medium-low heat until the chicken is opaque throughout and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. 5While the chicken cooks, divide the sliced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and tortilla chips evenly among 4 serving bowls.
  6. 6Ladle the hot soup into each bowl over the avocado and cheese. Top each portion with a dollop of Mexican crema, fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, and additional tortilla chips if desired.
  7. 7Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

Nutrition — Per Serving

1689

calories

68g

protein

86g

fat

Carbohydrates
166g
Saturated fat
19.8g
Sodium
1632 mg
Dietary fiber
13.8g

4 servings per batch · ~522g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Chicken Tortilla Soup have per serving?

This recipe provides 68g of protein and 1689 calories per serving with 86g fat and 166g carbs. Note: these are very high per-serving numbers, suggesting this is a full-batch calculation or intended as a multi-person meal rather than individual portions.

How long does Chicken Tortilla Soup take to prep?

Listed as quick prep on the stovetop with 4 servings, though the calorie and macro density suggests verifying serving size before logging. Batch cooking soup allows for reheating throughout the week.

Is Chicken Tortilla Soup good for muscle gain?

At 68g protein per serving, this soup supports muscle gain when consumed as part of a structured meal plan with appropriate calorie surplus. The 166g carbs and 86g fat per serving are substantial, so account for this when programming your full daily intake around training.

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