Are you looking for the perfect side dishes for your chicken tortilla soup?
While this classic Mexican dish is delicious, the right accompaniments can take your meal to the next level.
The good news is that there are plenty of easy and healthy options.
In this article, we’ll share 42 simple and nutritious side dishes that perfectly complement your chicken tortilla soup.
From crispy toppings to fresh salads, these sides will add texture, flavor, and balance to your bowl.
Get ready to find various tasty recipes to make your soup more satisfying and enjoyable.
Easy and Healthy Options to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup
Top Toppings
Toppings can take your Chicken Tortilla Soup from delicious to extraordinary, adding layers of flavor, texture, and visual appeal.
Here are some top toppings that will make your soup even more delightful.
1. Cheddar Cheese
- Why It’s Great: Adds a rich, creamy texture and a sharp, savory flavor.
- How to Use: Shred cheddar cheese and sprinkle it over the hot soup, allowing it to melt slightly for a creamy finish.
2. Fresh Cilantro
- Why It’s Great: Provides a fresh, citrusy note that brightens the soup.
- How to Use: Chop fresh cilantro and sprinkle it on top just before serving to maintain its vibrant flavor and color.
3. Sour Cream
- Why It’s Great: Adds a cool, tangy contrast to the spicy soup.
- How to Use: Add a dollop of sour cream to each bowl, or swirl it in for a creamy texture.
4. Cojita Cheese
- Why It’s Great: Offers a mild, salty flavor and a crumbly texture.
- How to Use: Crumble Cojita cheese over the soup for a delightful finish.
5. Crispy Tortilla Strips/Chips
- Why It’s Great: Provides a satisfying crunch and additional corn flavor.
- How to Use: Fry or bake tortilla strips until crispy, or use store-bought tortilla chips. Sprinkle them over the soup just before serving to keep them crunchy.
6. Avocado Slices
- Why It’s Great: Adds a creamy, buttery texture and mild flavor.
- How to Use: Slice or dice ripe avocados and add them on top of the soup just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
7. Lime Wedges
- Why It’s Great: Enhances the flavors with a fresh, tangy zing.
- How to Use: Serve lime wedges on the side, allowing each person to squeeze fresh lime juice over their soup to taste.
Classic Sides
Pairing your Chicken Tortilla Soup with classic sides can elevate your meal by adding complementary flavors and textures.
Here are some timeless sides that perfectly enhance the savory goodness of Chicken Tortilla Soup.
8. Cornbread
- Why It’s Great: Baked to golden brown perfection, cornbread has a timeless side that adds a slightly sweet and crumbly texture.
- How to Use: Serve warm slices of cornbread alongside your soup, or crumble it over the soup for added texture and flavor.
9. Mexican Cornbread
- Why It’s Great: This variation of cornbread includes corn kernels, jalapeños, and cheese, adding a zesty twist.
- How to Use: Bake until golden and serve as a spicy, savory side that complements the flavors of the soup.
10. Corn Casserole
- Why It’s Great: Buttery and creamy corn casserole provides a rich, comforting side that pairs well with the zesty soup.
- How to Use: Serve spoonfuls of corn casserole on the side, allowing the creamy texture to balance the spice of the soup.
11. Refried Beans
- Why It’s Great: Creamy and hearty, refried beans add a satisfying, savory element to your meal.
- How to Use: Serve a scoop of refried beans on the side or spread them on a tortilla for dipping into the soup.
12. Cilantro Lime Rice
- Why It’s Great: Light and refreshing, this rice dish adds a citrusy, herbaceous note that complements the soup’s flavors.
- How to Use: Serve as a side or a base for your soup, enhancing each bite with its zesty flavor.
13. Mexican Rice
- Why It’s Great: Infused with tomatoes, onions, and spices, Mexican rice adds a flavorful, aromatic component to your meal.
- How to Use: Serve as a hearty side that blends seamlessly with the soup’s robust flavors.
14. Famous Butter Rice
- Why It’s Great: Rich and buttery, this rice dish adds a luxurious, comforting texture to your meal.
- How to Use: Serve on the side to balance the soup’s spiciness with its creamy, buttery goodness.
Salads
Adding a salad to your Chicken Tortilla Soup meal can provide a refreshing, crunchy contrast to the soup’s rich and savory flavors.
Here are some vibrant salad options that will enhance your dining experience.
15. Mexican Salad
- Why It’s Great: This colorful salad combines corn, avocado, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini for a fresh and vibrant side dish.
- How to Use: Toss the ingredients with a light vinaigrette and serve alongside your soup to add a mix of textures and flavors.
16. Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Why It’s Great: Light and refreshing, this salad offers a crisp bite that complements the hearty soup.
- How to Use: Mix sliced cucumbers and tomatoes with a simple dressing of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs, then serve chilled.
17. Cabbage Slaw
- Why It’s Great: Tangy and zesty cabbage slaw contrasts the soup’s richness with a crunchy contrast.
- How to Use: Shred cabbage and carrots, then toss with a tangy dressing made of lime juice, vinegar, and honey.
18. Cucumber Salad
- Why It’s Great: Cool and refreshing, cucumber salad offers a mild flavor that pairs well with the bold soup.
- How to Use: Slice cucumbers thinly and toss with a light dressing of yogurt, dill, and lemon juice for a refreshing side.
19. Jicama Salad
- Why It’s Great: Crisp with bell peppers and lime, jicama salad adds a crunchy, citrusy element to your meal.
- How to Use: Combine julienned jicama with bell peppers, lime juice, and chili powder for a refreshing and crunchy side dish.
Hearty Dishes
Hearty dishes can add substance and variety to your Chicken Tortilla Soup meal, making it more filling and satisfying.
Here are some robust options that will perfectly complement your soup.
20. Vegetarian Quesadilla
- Why It’s Great: A delightful vegetarian option filled with pesto, zucchini, and eggplant, offering a rich and savory flavor.
- How to Use: Grill or pan-fry the quesadilla until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Serve it hot, cut into wedges, alongside your soup for a perfect combination of flavors.
21. Chicken Quesadillas
- Why It’s Great: Hearty and cheesy chicken quesadillas are a comforting and filling side dish.
- How to Use: Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and cheese, then cook until golden brown. Serve with salsa and sour cream for dipping.
22. Sopes or Tamales
- Why It’s Great: These authentic Mexican dishes are satisfying and full of
flavor, making them a perfect match for the soup.
- How to Use: Top sopes with beans, cheese, and meat, or serve tamales with various fillings like chicken, pork, or vegetables. Both can be enjoyed as hearty sides or even main dishes.
23. Fish Tacos
- Why It’s Great: Healthy and delicious, fish tacos offer a lighter yet satisfying option.
- How to Use: Use grilled or baked fish, top with slaw and a squeeze of lime, and wrap in warm tortillas. Serve alongside the soup for a fresh and flavorful meal.
24. Skirt Steak Tacos
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for summer, these tacos are flavorful and hearty, adding a robust protein option to your meal.
- How to Use: Marinate and grill skirt steak, then slice thinly and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, and cilantro.
Snacks and Dips
Snacks and dips add a delightful variety of flavors and textures to your Chicken Tortilla Soup meal, making it more enjoyable and satisfying.
Here are some tasty options that will enhance your dining experience.
25. Pico De Gallo
- Why It’s Great: This fresh and fast salsa brings a burst of vibrant flavor to your meal.
- How to Use: Dice tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, and mix with lime juice and salt. Serve it as a topping for the soup or with tortilla chips on the side.
26. Guacamole
- Why It’s Great: Classic and creamy, guacamole adds a rich, smooth texture and a hint of zest.
- How to Use: Mash ripe avocados and mix with lime juice, salt, and diced onions. Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for the soup.
27. Salsa
- Why It’s Great: Fresh tomato salsa offers a refreshing, tangy flavor that complements the soup well.
- How to Use: Combine diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Serve chilled with tortilla chips or as a garnish for the soup.
28. Fresh Mango Salsa
- Why It’s Great: Sweet and spicy, mango salsa adds a unique and refreshing twist to your meal.
- How to Use: Mix diced mangoes, red bell peppers, red onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve with chips or as a topping for fish tacos alongside the soup.
29. Taquitos
- Why It’s Great: Cheese or turkey-filled and crispy taquitos are a delightful and crunchy addition to your meal.
- How to Use: Fill tortillas with cheese or turkey, roll them up, and bake or fry until crispy. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Unique Sides
Adding unique sides to your Chicken Tortilla Soup meal can introduce exciting flavors and textures, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.
Here are some distinctive options that will elevate your meal.
30. Jicama Sticks
- Why It’s Great: Crunchy with lime and chili, jicama sticks provide a refreshing and tangy contrast to the soup.
- How to Use: Peel and slice jicama into sticks, then sprinkle with lime juice and chili powder for a zesty snack.
31. Mexican Street Corn
- Why It’s Great: Creamy, crunchy, and cheesy, this side dish offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures.
- How to Use: Grill corn on the cob, then coat with a mixture of mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Serve immediately.
32. Fried Plantains
- Why It’s Great: Sweet and delightful fried plantains add a sweet contrast to the savory soup.
- How to Use: Slice ripe plantains and fry them until golden brown. Serve warm as a sweet side dish.
33. Grilled Corn Salad
- Why It’s Great: Charred corn with bell peppers adds a smoky, sweet flavor that complements the soup.
- How to Use: Grill corn and bell peppers, then cut the kernels from the cob and dice the peppers. Toss with a light vinaigrette and serve chilled or at room temperature.
34. Scones
- Why It’s Great: With green onions, swiss, and parmesan, these scones offer a savory, flaky side that pairs well with the soup.
- How to Use: Prepare scone dough with green onions, swiss cheese, and parmesan. Bake until golden brown and serve warm.
More Side Dishes for Chicken Tortilla Soup
Various side dishes can elevate your Chicken Tortilla Soup meal, adding new flavors and textures to each bite.
This section explores additional unique and complementary sides to make your meal even more satisfying.
35. Garlic Bread
- Why It’s Great: Adds a crunchy, flavorful side that complements the soup.
- How to Use: Toast slices of bread with garlic butter and herbs until golden brown and crispy.
36. Empanadas
- Why It’s Great: Savory pastries with various fillings like beef, chicken, or vegetables.
- How to Use: Bake or fry empanadas and serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
37. Cheese Biscuits
- Why It’s Great: Soft and cheesy, perfect for soaking up the soup.
- How to Use: Bake cheese biscuits until golden and serve them fresh from the oven.
38. Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Why It’s Great: Filled with rice, beans, and cheese, these are hearty and nutritious.
- How to Use: Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
39. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Why It’s Great: Adds a crispy, caramelized vegetable side.
- How to Use: Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and spices, then roast until crispy and golden.
40. Grilled Asparagus
- Why It’s Great: Provides a light and healthy side.
- How to Use: Grill asparagus with a touch of lemon and garlic until tender and slightly charred.
41. Black Bean Salad
- Why It’s Great: Packed with protein and flavor.
- How to Use: Mix black beans with corn, tomatoes, and a lime dressing. Serve chilled.
42. Lentil Soup
- Why It’s Great: A hearty and healthy soup that pairs well as a side.
- How to Use: Serve a small bowl of lentil soup alongside the main soup for an extra boost of protein and flavor.
Conclusion
Serving the perfect side dishes can take your Chicken Tortilla Soup from delicious to extraordinary.
From classic sides like cornbread and refried beans to healthy alternatives like Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad and Zucchini Taco Boats, countless options suit every taste and preference.
However, experimenting with various toppings, salads, hearty dishes, and unique sides will help you create a well-rounded and satisfying meal that your family and friends will love.
So, the next time you make a comforting pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup, don’t forget to uplift your dining experience with these easy and healthy side dish ideas.
Try out a few of these recipes and discover your new favorite combinations.
Your taste buds will thank you!
