Description
A vibrant and comforting soup from the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexican Chicken Lime Soup (Sopa de Lima) blends zesty lime juice, tender chicken, aromatic spices, and a touch of chili heat. It’s perfect for chilly nights or when you’re craving a light yet flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large tomato, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 limes, juiced
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional Toppings:
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1 cup tortilla strips (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic and jalapeño and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add cumin and oregano, stirring to coat the vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add chicken breasts to the pot. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until fully cooked and tender.
4. Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Discard the bay leaf.
5. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir in diced tomato. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Turn off the heat and stir in fresh lime juice.
7. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips, red onion, and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Keep toppings separate when storing leftovers to maintain freshness.
Adjust lime juice to your preferred level of citrus flavor.
This recipe is easy to double for meal prep or serving a crowd.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: sopa de lima, chicken lime soup, Mexican soup, Yucatan soup, lime chicken broth