Sopa de Lima is a tasty Mexican lime soup that’s bright and refreshing. Made with chicken, zesty lime juice, and crispy tortilla strips, it’s perfect for any day!
This soup warms you up and tickles your taste buds all at once! I love how easy it is to make—just simmer, season, and enjoy a bowl full of sunshine! ☀️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Using bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts adds rich flavor to the broth. If you prefer a lighter option, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work too, but may lack some depth. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken for quick prep!
Guajillo Chilies: These dried chilies give Sopa de Lima its unique flavor. If you can’t find them, you can use ancho or chipotle chilies for a different twist. Just keep in mind that chipotle adds smoky notes!
Limes: Fresh lime juice is what brings the soup to life! Use key limes if available; they’re a bit sweeter. If limes aren’t an option, lemon juice is a decent substitute, but it’ll alter the flavor a bit.
Tortilla Strips: I love using homemade fried tortilla strips, but you can easily use store-bought tortilla chips for convenience. Baked tortilla strips are a lighter alternative if you’re watching calories!
How Do I Get the Broth Just Right?
The broth is key to a flavorful Sopa de Lima, and here’s how to nail it:
- Start by boiling the chicken with onion, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. This infuses flavor—don’t rush!
- Simmer gently to keep the chicken tender. A rolling boil can make the chicken tough.
- After cooking, strain the broth to remove solids for a clear, rich liquid that’s the base of your soup.
Taking the time to make the broth enhances your soup—trust me, it’s worth it!
How Can I Make the Perfect Tortilla Strips?
Crispy tortilla strips add great texture! Here’s my simple method:
- Cut corn tortillas into thin strips.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. You only need about 1/4 inch of oil.
- Fry the strips in batches to avoid overcrowding until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while hot.
These homemade tortilla strips will give your Sopa de Lima the crunch it needs!
How to Make Sopa de Lima (Mexican Lime Chicken Soup)
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Soup:
- 2 whole chicken breasts (bone-in, skin-on)
- 8 cups water
- 1 onion, quartered
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4-5 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 1 small tomato, roughly chopped
For Garnish:
- 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 4-5 limes (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Fried tortilla strips or crisped tortilla chips, for serving
- Optional: thinly sliced radishes, avocado slices, or chopped scallions
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Mexican bolillo or crusty bread, for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes for preparing the ingredients, plus about 1 hour for cooking and simmering the soup. With a little patience, you’ll have a delicious bowl of Sopa de Lima ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Broth:
In a large pot, combine the chicken breasts, water, quartered onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
2. Cool and Strain:
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot and set them aside to cool. Next, strain the broth through a fine sieve to remove the solids. Set the clear broth aside for later use.
3. Make the Chili Base:
While the chicken is cooling, toast the guajillo chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning!
4. Blend the Sauce:
Transfer the toasted chilies to a blender or food processor. Add the roughly chopped tomato and 1 cup of the reserved chicken broth. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
5. Strain the Chili-Tomato Mixture:
Pour the blended chili-tomato sauce through a fine sieve to remove any skins or seeds. Then, add this sauce back into the pot with the remaining chicken broth.
6. Simmer the Soup:
Heat the chili broth over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Taste and season with salt as needed.
7. Shred the Chicken:
Once the chicken has cooled, shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the shredded chicken back into the soup to warm it through.
8. Add Lime Juice:
Add the fresh lime juice to the soup, tasting as you go. Adjust the lime juice until you achieve the bright, tangy flavor you love!
9. Serve Up the Soup:
Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls. Garnish each bowl with the chopped white onion, fresh cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips or chips!
10. Final Touches:
Enjoy your Sopa de Lima with additional lime wedges and warm bolillo or crusty bread on the side. Each bite is sure to brighten your day!
Dig in and savor the zesty, comforting flavors of this traditional Sopa de Lima! It’s a delightful taste of Mexico right at home.
Can I Use Boneless Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer! Just adjust the cooking time; they will cook faster, about 20-30 minutes. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quick, easy option!
What Can I Substitute for Guajillo Chilies?
If you can’t find guajillo chilies, you can use ancho or even chipotle chilies for a different flavor profile. Keep in mind that chipotle will add a smoky element to the soup. Just adjust the quantity based on your spice preference!
How Long Can I Store Leftovers?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to maintain the consistency.
Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken and replace the chicken with hearty vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or chickpeas. You won’t get the same flavor depth, but it will still be delicious and refreshing!