Introduction

This Keto Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup is a smoky, spicy, and comforting meal perfect for low-carb diets. Featuring tender chicken, roasted cauliflower, and bold chipotle flavors, it’s easy to prepare on the stove, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. Top with fresh avocado and crunchy pork rinds for a satisfying bowl.

A white speckled bowl filled with a layered soup featuring shredded chicken and chunks of orange roasted cauliflower in a light brown broth. On top, there are several layers: bright green fresh cilantro leaves in a corner, crispy light brown pork rinds stacked near the cilantro, thin white and pink radish slices piled next to the pork rinds, and thinly sliced green avocado placed in a neat row at the front. Small bits of white cheese are sprinkled over the soup. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side. Around the bowl on a white marbled surface are a small white bowl with more white and pink radish slices at the top left, a small white bowl filled with pork rinds at the top right, a lime wedge to the right, and some fresh cilantro leaves scattered to the left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1-2 large jalapeños, seeded and chopped

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 tbsp olive oil

1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless skinless

3-4 chipotle in adobo peppers, chopped

2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

2 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

14 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes (canned)

1 large lime, zested and juiced

1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

4 cups cauliflower florets, cut into small pieces

2 tbsp olive oil (for roasting cauliflower)

¼ tsp kosher salt (for roasting cauliflower)

Pork rinds or tortilla chips, for topping

2 large avocados, peeled and chopped into chunks

1 medium lime, cut into wedges

3 radishes, thinly sliced

6 tbsp cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese; omit for dairy-free)

6 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Toss cauliflower florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and set aside in serving bowls.

Step 2: Instant Pot method: On Sauté mode, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in the pot. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño; cook 5 minutes. Add chicken thighs and sauté another 5 minutes. Stir in chopped chipotle peppers, smoked paprika, cumin, and 2 ½ teaspoons salt. Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Quick release pressure.

Step 3: Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot. Add lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro; stir to combine.

Step 4: Ladle soup over roasted cauliflower in bowls. Top each serving with avocado chunks, crumbled cotija cheese, sliced radishes, lime wedges, additional cilantro, and pork rinds or tortilla chips.

Step 5: Slow cooker method: Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, chipotle peppers, spices, chicken, broth, and tomatoes to the slow cooker. Stir and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Shred chicken and stir in lime zest, juice, and cilantro before serving as above.

Step 6: Stove-top method: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Sauté onion, jalapeño, and garlic for 5 minutes. Add chicken, chipotle, paprika, cumin, and salt; cook 5 more minutes until fragrant. Add broth and tomatoes, partially cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken, shred, return to pot, stir in lime zest, juice, and cilantro. Serve over roasted cauliflower with toppings.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, keep some jalapeño seeds or add more chipotle peppers according to taste.

Use feta cheese instead of cotija for a different dairy flavor, or skip cheese for a dairy-free option.

Roasting cauliflower adds a delicious nutty flavor that complements the smoky soup perfectly.

Substitute pork rinds with crunchy tortilla strips for a non-keto version.

Leftover soup can be blended slightly for a creamier texture if desired.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breast works well, but thighs provide more flavor and stay moist better during cooking.

Is this soup suitable for the keto diet?

Absolutely. The soup uses cauliflower instead of corn tortillas and includes healthy fats from avocado and olive oil, keeping it low in carbs.

Dinner

Keto Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe