Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican dish that can be made with either chicken or beef.
There are many ways to make the soup – some use a large stockpot to simmer it all day long, while others use the pressure cooker for cooking it in 30 minutes.
How you make your tortilla soup is up to you, but the flavor and taste will vary based on how much effort you put into making it.
The most important part of chicken tortilla soup is the broth; this enables us to add cheese and any other garnish we prefer.
The soup is complete with broth, chicken, onion, garlic, cilantro, and tortillas.
Some variations include the use of jalapeno peppers, green chilies, and cumin.
The tortilla soup can also be made without chicken – it becomes a vegan meal when the chicken is excluded from the recipe.
Chicken tortilla soup is usually served as a main dish, but it can also be a starter.
The side dishes you serve with chicken tortilla soup will greatly depend on your preference.
In this article, we will list 8 of the best side dishes you can serve with chicken tortilla soup.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Chicken Tortilla Soup?
First of all, people love to experiment with food. They try new recipes and ingredients every day.
In some cases, even a simple recipe can be altered to add a unique touch by serving side dishes that complement the meal.
In addition, side dishes add more flavor to meals without having too much of an overpowering effect on the entrees themselves.
For example, when it comes to Chicken Tortilla Soup—a dish that combines the flavors of several spices and ingredients with its stock-based broth—serving side dishes can enhance the experience by offering an added dimension in terms of taste.
Another reason to consider serving side dishes for Chicken Tortilla Soup is that people love variety.
Sometimes, having more than one option available not only elicits excitement but can also serve as an added enticement for the consumer.
For example, if someone has Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner, they might include classic sides like bread or chips and salsa on the table.
What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup? 8 BEST Side Dishes
Here are 8 of the best side dish recipes to serve, along with an excellent bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup.
1 – Quesadilla
Let’s start with something everyone loves.
Quesadillas are the perfect accompaniment to Mexican food or any meal for that matter.
The cheese oozes out of the crispy tortilla, which is enough to keep everyone’s attention until the soup is served.
You can make the Quesadillas with either chicken or if you want to make it healthier, go for veggies like mushrooms and capsicum.
If you want to make it cheese-less, fill the Quesadilla with refried beans, and oh boy, you’ve got yourself a hearty meal that is also healthy.
To give it a Mexican twist, add in some jalapenos and salsa before serving.
2 – Mexican Rice
There is nothing quite like Mexican Rice to go with Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Okay, so everyone has had their fair share of traditional Spanish or Mexican rice, but this one takes the cake (or tortilla as it were).
It’s a spicy and tangy twist on your typical rice dishes and goes well with chips and soup.
You can make this dish with minimal ingredients, but hell, why would you? Go all out and add some cheese and olives to the dish for a bonus burst of flavor.
If spicy is not what you’re into, then feel free to skip the chili powder or just use a little bit.
The fresh tomatoes and cilantro (also known as coriander) give it such a nice taste.
3 – Corn and Onion Salad
The great thing about this side dish is that you can make either one serving or enough for an entire meal.
It’s perfect for serving Mexican food like quesadillas and burritos (skip the sour cream), but it’s also delicious enough to eat on its own.
There are two ways in which you can make this salad – using mayo or sour cream.
If you’re not into mayo, go for the second option and use yogurt instead.
This is a great way to include more healthy ingredients in your meal while still getting that spicy and tangy Mexican flavor.
You can also add in some olives or cheese to take this salad to the next level.
4 – Chips and Salsa
What would Mexican food be without some good old salsa and chips? This is such a simple side dish to make, but it’s so darn tasty.
I don’t think anyone can eat this particular dish without making those ‘YUM’ noises.
Just like the salad above, you can mix and match your ingredients to create the perfect salsa every single time.
There are so many different types of salsa to make – you can go with a traditional tomato-based sauce, or you can include some corn or jalapenos for an extra kick.
If chips aren’t your thing, then serve this dish with tortillas instead.
5 – Baked Cheese Taquitos
Everyone loves taquitos.
They’re the perfect party food to serve, especially if you’re expecting a large number of people.
These guys can be made ahead of time and just baked when your guests arrive (or when you want to eat them).
The best thing about these taquitos is that they taste amazing whether they are served hot or cold.
So, you don’t have to worry about serving them right out of the oven – toss them in the fridge and take them out when it’s time for dinner.
The filling can be adjusted according to your taste.
You can go with a simple combination of cheese and beans or add other ingredients like corn and olives.
Even chicken works well.
6 – Nachos
This is another great party food that everyone loves.
You can serve these with spicy salsa and guacamole or just go with the good old tomato sauce.
The best thing about nachos is how customizable they are.
You can top them off with any ingredients you like – cheese, beans, corn, and olives are a great option, but you can also add some sour cream or chili powder for an extra kick.
If you don’t want to set up a toppings bar with all your guests, just lay out the ingredients in bowls and let everyone top their nachos off.
7 – Polenta Fries
Polenta fries are a gluten-free alternative to ordinary fries.
The best part about this dish is that you can eat it with your hands – there is no need for knives and forks.
Just pick up a polenta fry, dip it in some salsa or sour cream and enjoy.
You can also add cheese or chili flakes to the polenta mixture for an extra kick.
Or you can add some sauteed vegetables for a healthier take on the dish.
The polenta mixture should be pretty thick so that it holds its shape when you dip and fry it.
8 – Jicama Salad
I love the combination of vegetables in this salad – it’s a summery flavor that everyone will enjoy.
This side dish is also really healthy, as jicama is full of fiber and potassium.
The cool thing about jicama is that you can eat it raw, unlike other root veggies like turnips or beets.
If you cook it, then the flavor is too strong and takes on a very different characteristic.
Make sure that your jicama pieces aren’t too large or thick.
They should be thin and easy to eat with a fork.
This dish can be served as a side salad, but you can also try serving it on some interesting bread for an appetizer or light lunch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chicken tortilla soup brings the Mexican food fever back in full swing.
The soup is a delicious combination of chicken broth, vegetables, and a hint of lime with the perfect spice that warms the soul.
One of the best things about chicken tortilla soup is that there are so many different ways to make it, and you can use any ingredients you like.
The side dish should complement the main aspect of the dish.
Each side dish has unique qualities that make them fit for an individual soup take on Mexican cuisine.
You can serve one or all of these dishes with chicken tortilla soup.
What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup? 8 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Quesadilla
- Mexican Rice
- Corn and Onion Salad
- Chips and Salsa
- Baked Cheese Taquitos
- Nachos
- Polenta Fries
- Jicama Salad
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!