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Chicken Tortilla Soup

Shredded chicken thighs with black beans, corn, and tomatoes in a spiced broth. A Tex-Mex staple that appears on virtually every budget meal-prep list.

Total Cost $12.48
Per Serving $3.12
Prep 10 min
Cook 35 min
Servings 4
  • chicken
  • beans
  • soup
  • tex-mex
  • high-protein
  • meal-prep

Ingredients

  • 450 g boneless skinless chicken thighs $3.97
  • 1 can (540 mL) black beans, drained $1.50
  • 1 can (341 mL) corn kernels, drained (or 250 g frozen) $1.25
  • 1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes $2.00
  • 900 mL chicken broth $1.50
  • 1 medium onion, diced $1.23
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced $0.24
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.05
  • 1 tsp chili powder $0.08
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika $0.03
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil $0.06
  • handful tortilla chips, crushed (for serving) $0.50
  • to taste salt, pepper, and lime juice $0.07
  • Recipe total$12.48

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Cook 1 minute.
  4. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, and whole chicken thighs (do not cut them — they shred better whole).
  5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  6. Remove the chicken. Use two forks to shred it, then return it to the pot.
  7. Add the black beans and corn. Simmer 5 more minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lime juice.
  9. Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips and any optional toppings.

Nutrition per Serving

Estimated values per serving.

410 Calories
34g Protein
38g Carbs
12g Fat
8g Fiber
710mg Sodium
~20% DV Iron~8% DV Calcium~15% DV Vitamin C

Gluten-Free

This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

All ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Verify the tortilla chips and broth are GF-certified if celiac is a concern.

Budget Notes

  • Adding the chicken thighs whole and shredding after is not a style choice — the meat stays juicier and falls apart more easily than if you cube it first.
  • A 900 mL carton of chicken broth costs about $2.69 in 2026. It is the second-biggest cost after the chicken itself.
  • The tortilla chips on top aren't decorative. They soften slightly in the hot soup and add body.
  • This freezes well and tastes better the next day. Add toppings fresh.