Chicken Tortilla Soup - Savor & Seal

– by The VacMaster® Team

Chicken Tortilla Soup - Savor & Seal

There is no denying that when it is cold outside, something about a good hearty soup just hits better. From the prep to the last slurp, a good soup can be extremely satisfying to serve to family, friends, or yourself. And the leftovers are even more amazing.

One of our go-to soups for fall and winter is chicken tortilla soup. Packed with bold spices and hearty ingredients, this tomato-based recipe is both filling and flavorful. We’ll show you how to put this recipe together and demonstrate how you can use your VacMaster vacuum sealer to freeze any leftovers and reheat for a quick meal.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients:

Soup Base:

  • 2 large boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces       Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 small to medium-sized white onion, chopped 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil split
  • 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed red tomatoes
  • 2 (10.5-ounce) cans of condensed chicken broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (4-ounce) can of green chili peppers, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Optional Add-Ins:

  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 cup white hominy

Toppings: 

  • Corn tortilla chips, crushed
  • Green onions, chopped
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Cilantro (optional)

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

  1. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook thoroughly. Once done, set the chicken aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over low-medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until tender. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  3. Build the Soup Base: Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices to the pot. Stir to combine, cover, and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Once simmering, add the cooked chicken, black beans, green chili peppers, and optional corn and hominy. Stir to mix thoroughly, reduce the heat to low, and let the soup cook for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the flavors meld evenly.
  5. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions or cilantro.

Storing and Freezing Soup with a VacMaster Chamber Vacuum Sealer

If you have leftovers, don’t let them go to waste! Use your VacMaster chamber vacuum sealer to freeze the soup and keep it fresh for later. Here’s how:

  1. Let the soup cool completely to prevent steam from affecting the seal.
  2. Pour the soup into a  VacMaster chamber vacuum bag, leaving enough space at the top for a proper seal.
  3. Place the bag in your chamber vacuum sealer and run a full vacuum cycle.
  4. Lay the sealed bag flat in the freezer to maximize storage space.

The advantage of using a chamber vacuum sealer is that it easily handles liquid-rich foods like soups and marinades without spilling or compromising the seal.

Reheating Frozen Soup

When you’re ready to enjoy your soup again, you can reheat it in two easy ways:

  1. Stove Top Hot Water Method :
    Heat a pot of water to med-high heat. You’ll want to keep water below a boil. Place the sealed bag in the water and heat until warmed through. Once hot, cut the bag open and serve.
  2. Sous Vide Circulator Method :
    For even heating, use a  sous vide circulator.
    • Set your circulator to 150°F–160°F.
    • Submerge the vacuum-sealed bag in the water bath.
    • Heat for 25 minutes, adding 5–10 minutes for larger portions or thicker bags. This method preserves the soup’s flavor and texture beautifully.

Why Use a VacMaster Sealer for Soups?

VacMaster chamber vacuum sealers make freezing and reheating soups incredibly convenient. By vacuum-sealing leftovers, you not only save space in your freezer but also protect the soup from freezer burn. Plus, with tools like a VacMaster sous vide circulator, reheating frozen soup is quick, efficient, and delicious.

Enjoy