How to Thicken Chicken Tortilla Soup: 14 Easy Methods That Actually Work

Have you ever made a batch of chicken tortilla soup only to find it’s way too thin? Yeah me too. It’s happened to me more times than I’d like to admit! There’s nothing worse than craving that hearty flavorful Mexican soup and ending up with something that resembles flavored water instead.

After many failed attempts and kitchen experiments, I’ve compiled all the best methods to thicken up your chicken tortilla soup. These techniques won’t just add body to your soup – they’ll enhance the flavor too!

Why Is My Chicken Tortilla Soup So Thin?

Before diving into solutions, let’s understand why your soup might be thin in the first place:

• Too much liquid (broth or water)
• Not enough vegetables or solid ingredients
• Skipping traditional thickening agents
• Not allowing enough simmering time

But don’t worry! Whether you’re cooking right now with a pot of thin soup or planning ahead for next time, I’ve got you covered with these foolproof thickening methods.

14 Easy Ways to Thicken Chicken Tortilla Soup

1. Add Cornstarch

Cornstarch is probably the most popular thickening agent for soups. It’s my go-to method when I need a quick fix!

How to do it

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water in a small bowl
2. Stir until completely dissolved (this is called a “slurry”)
3. Slowly pour the mixture into your simmering soup while stirring constantly
4. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until the soup thickens

Cornstarch works great because it can withstand high temperatures and doesn’t add any particular flavor to your soup.

2. Use a Flour Mixture

If you don’t have cornstarch, plain flour works too!

How to do it:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water
2. Stir until smooth with no lumps
3. Gradually add to your soup while stirring continuously
4. Cook on medium heat until thickened

Remember that flour takes about twice as much as cornstarch to achieve the same thickening power.

3. Add Cream or Yogurt

For a richer, creamier soup, try adding some dairy.

How to do it:

1. Remove soup from heat
2. Stir in 1-2 cups of heavy cream or plain yogurt
3. For best results, let the soup cool completely then refrigerate overnight
4. Reheat slowly the next day, stirring frequently

The cream will help thicken the broth as it heats up and adds a wonderful richness.

4. Purée Some of the Soup

This is my personal favorite method because it enhances flavor while thickening.

How to do it:

1. Ladle about 1/3 of your soup (including veggies and chicken) into a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Return the puréed mixture back to the pot
4. Stir well and simmer until heated through

An immersion blender works great for this if you have one!

5. Add Cheese

Shredded cheese not only thickens but adds amazing flavor.

How to do it:

1. Choose a melting cheese like Monterey Jack
2. Add 1/2 cup at a time
3. Stir until melted before adding more
4. The soup should coat the back of a spoon when it’s thick enough

6. Use Puréed Vegetables

Veggies like potatoes or carrots can be used as natural thickeners.

How to do it:

1. Cook extra vegetables separately (potatoes work especially well)
2. Purée them in a blender or food processor
3. Stir the purée into your soup

7. Add Tortilla Strips

Let’s not forget the “tortilla” in tortilla soup!

How to do it:

1. Add more corn tortilla strips directly to the soup
2. Let them soften and break down
3. They’ll release starch and help thicken the broth

You can also try crumbling store-bought tortilla chips into your soup for a similar effect.

8. Add Rice or Quinoa

Grains absorb liquid and add body to your soup.

How to do it:

1. Cook rice or quinoa in chicken broth
2. Add the cooked grain to your soup
3. For extra flavor, use cilantro-lime rice or quinoa

9. Add Masa Harina

Masa harina is a traditional Mexican corn flour that works wonderfully for thickening tortilla soup.

How to do it:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons masa harina with 1/4 cup water
2. Stir until smooth with no lumps
3. Add to soup and stir well
4. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened

This adds an authentic corn flavor that complements the soup perfectly!

10. Use Arrowroot

Arrowroot is a natural thickener similar to cornstarch but with a more neutral flavor.

How to do it:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon arrowroot with 2 tablespoons cold water
2. Stir into simmering soup
3. Cook for a few minutes until thickened

11. Add Mashed Beans

Beans add protein and thickening power.

How to do it:

1. Take about 1/4 cup of black beans from your soup
2. Mash them with a fork until they form a paste
3. Return the mashed beans to the soup and stir well

I do this all the time and it works like a charm!

12. Use Egg Yolks

For a truly luxurious soup, egg yolks create a silky thickness.

How to do it:

1. Remove 2 cups of broth from your soup
2. Whisk in 2 lightly beaten egg yolks
3. Slowly pour this mixture back into the soup while whisking constantly
4. Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes (don’t let it boil or the eggs will curdle)

13. Mash Avocados

Avocados add creaminess and thickness.

How to do it:

1. Mash 1-2 ripe avocados in a bowl
2. Stir into the soup
3. Heat through before serving

You could also just top individual bowls with guacamole!

14. Add Refried Beans

This might be the easiest method of all.

How to do it:

1. Stir a 15-ounce can of refried beans into the soup
2. Heat through before serving

This adds tons of flavor and body to your soup.

Tips for Making Thicker Soup From the Start

If you’re planning ahead, here are some tips to make your chicken tortilla soup thick from the beginning:

• Use less broth than the recipe calls for (you can always add more later)
• Include plenty of vegetables and chicken
• Add a can of diced tomatoes with their juice
• Include a can of beans (black beans or pinto beans work great)
• Simmer uncovered to allow natural reduction
• Add diced potatoes which release starch as they cook

My Personal Experience

Last Christmas, I was making chicken tortilla soup for my family gathering. Everything was going well until I realized the soup was way too thin. Panicking (cause who doesn’t panic when cooking for the in-laws?), I grabbed some masa harina from my pantry, mixed it with water, and stirred it in.

The transformation was amazing! Not only did it thicken beautifully, but it added this authentic corn flavor that had everyone asking for my recipe. My mother-in-law even said it was better than her traditional recipe (score one for me!).

FAQ About Thickening Chicken Tortilla Soup

Q: Will my soup thicken as it cools?
A: Yes, soups naturally thicken a bit as they cool, but don’t rely on this method alone if your soup is very thin.

Q: Can I use gluten-free thickeners?
A: Absolutely! Cornstarch, arrowroot, and masa harina are all gluten-free options.

Q: How can I thicken my soup without changing the flavor?
A: Cornstarch and arrowroot are your best bets as they have neutral flavors.

Q: Can I freeze chicken tortilla soup after thickening it?
A: Yes, but soups thickened with dairy or eggs may separate when thawed. Cornstarch or flour-thickened soups freeze better.

Q: How can I thicken my soup if I’m in a hurry?
A: The cornstarch slurry method is quickest, taking only about 5 minutes.

Conclusion

Thickening chicken tortilla soup isn’t just about texture—it’s about creating a more satisfying, flavorful meal. Whether you choose cornstarch for speed, masa harina for authenticity, or puréed vegetables for nutrition, you now have 14 foolproof methods to transform your thin soup into something spectacular.

My personal recommendation? Try the masa harina method first if you have it on hand. It adds the most authentic flavor while thickening beautifully. If you don’t have masa, the cornstarch slurry or puréeing some of the soup are fantastic alternatives.

What’s your favorite way to thicken chicken tortilla soup? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!