If you’re wondering what chicken tortilla soup is called in Mexico, the most common name for the traditional dish is sopa de tortilla, which literally means “tortilla soup.” It is also widely known as sopa azteca, or “Aztec soup.” Mexico’s government identifies sopa de tortilla and sopa azteca as names for the same traditional Mexican dish.
When chicken is specifically included, you may also see it described as sopa de tortilla con pollo, meaning “tortilla soup with chicken.” This makes the name more specific because traditional tortilla soup can be served with or without shredded chicken depending on the recipe and region.
What Is the Mexican Name for Chicken Tortilla Soup?
The most useful names to know are:
- Sopa de tortilla — tortilla soup
- Sopa azteca — Aztec soup
- Sopa de tortilla con pollo — tortilla soup with chicken
In English-speaking countries, the dish is commonly called chicken tortilla soup when shredded or cooked chicken is included.
The exact name can vary depending on the recipe, restaurant, and region.
Is Chicken Tortilla Soup Called Sopa Azteca?
Yes. Sopa azteca is another commonly used name for tortilla soup.
Mexico’s Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural describes sopa de tortilla as also being called sopa azteca. Larousse Cocina likewise lists “sopa de tortilla o sopa azteca” as the name of the dish.
However, the name does not necessarily mean that every version contains chicken.
A traditional tortilla soup can be built around a flavorful tomato-and-chile broth and finished with fried corn tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, cream, and other garnishes. Chicken can be added as a variation.
What Does “Sopa de Tortilla” Mean?
Sopa de tortilla literally translates to “tortilla soup.”
- Sopa = soup
- De = of
- Tortilla = tortilla
The name comes from the crispy corn tortilla strips that are an important part of the dish.
A typical traditional preparation uses a seasoned broth with ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, chile, and herbs, then adds crispy tortilla strips and garnishes. Larousse Cocina describes tortilla soup as a broth commonly made with chicken stock, tomato or dried chilies, and fried corn tortilla strips.
What Is Sopa Azteca?
Sopa azteca is another name commonly used for tortilla soup.
It is a Mexican soup characterized by a flavorful base and crispy tortilla strips. Common accompaniments include avocado, cheese, cream, chile, cilantro, onion, and lime.
Mexico’s government describes the dish as a representative part of Mexican cuisine and notes that its original preparation is associated with Tlaxcala.
The name “Aztec soup” is widely used in restaurants and recipes, especially when referring to traditional-style tortilla soup.
Is Sopa de Tortilla the Same as Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Not exactly, but they are closely related.
Sopa de tortilla is the broader traditional dish. A chicken tortilla soup is a version that includes chicken.
Think of it this way:
Sopa de tortilla → traditional tortilla soup
Sopa de tortilla con pollo → tortilla soup with chicken
Chicken tortilla soup → English name commonly used for a chicken-containing version
Traditional recipes can vary considerably, so there isn’t always a strict ingredient list that applies to every version.
What Is Normally in Sopa de Tortilla?
A traditional-style tortilla soup may contain:
- Corn tortillas
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth or another flavorful broth
- Chile pasilla or other dried chilies
- Epazote
- Avocado
- Cheese
- Mexican crema
- Cilantro
- Lime
Shredded chicken can also be included.
For example, Larousse Cocina describes versions using chicken broth, epazote, tomatoes or dried chilies, and fried corn tortilla strips, with possible additions including shredded chicken, avocado, cheese, cream, cilantro, onion, and lime.
Why Is It Called Tortilla Soup?
The name comes from one of the dish’s defining ingredients: corn tortilla strips.
The tortillas are usually cut into strips and fried or crisped until golden. They are then placed in or on top of the hot soup.
This creates one of the dish’s signature contrasts:
rich broth + tender ingredients + crispy tortilla strips
The Mexican government specifically highlights the combination of soft ingredients such as avocado and cheese with the crunchy texture of tortillas.
Does Traditional Tortilla Soup Always Contain Chicken?
No.
Chicken is common in many versions, particularly the chicken tortilla soup popular in the United States, but it isn’t an absolute requirement for sopa de tortilla.
Some traditional preparations focus on the broth, tomato, chile, tortilla strips, and garnishes without making chicken the central ingredient.
This is why sopa de tortilla is a more general term than sopa de tortilla con pollo.
What Is “Sopa de Tortilla con Pollo”?
If you want to specifically say chicken tortilla soup in Spanish, one useful description is:
Sopa de tortilla con pollo
This translates to:
“Tortilla soup with chicken.”
A chicken version can contain shredded chicken served in the broth along with tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, cream, chile, and other garnishes.
Recipes specifically titled Sopa de Tortilla con Pollo use chicken alongside tortillas, tomatoes, chilies, avocado, cheese, and other traditional ingredients.
Is Chicken Tortilla Soup Authentic Mexican Food?
The answer depends on what version you’re talking about.
Sopa de tortilla is a traditional Mexican dish, with documented roots and regional variations in Mexico. The Mexican government describes it as a representative Mexican dish and associates the original recipe with Tlaxcala.
However, the American-style chicken tortilla soup found on many restaurant menus can differ significantly from traditional sopa de tortilla.
American versions may include:
- Black beans
- Corn
- Large amounts of shredded chicken
- Southwestern spices
- More vegetables
- Different types of cheese
- A thicker broth
- Additional toppings
These versions can still be inspired by Mexican tortilla soup while being adapted to local tastes.
What Is the Difference Between Sopa de Tortilla and American Chicken Tortilla Soup?
The biggest difference is usually how the recipe is constructed.
Traditional-style sopa de tortilla often emphasizes the chile-tomato broth and crispy tortilla strips.
American chicken tortilla soup frequently emphasizes shredded chicken and may include beans, corn, vegetables, and a wider range of Southwestern-style ingredients.
Traditional-style sopa de tortilla
Tomato + chile + broth + corn tortilla strips + avocado + cheese + crema
American-style chicken tortilla soup
Chicken + tomatoes + broth + corn + beans + chilies + spices + tortilla strips + toppings
There is plenty of overlap between the two.
What Is Sopa de Tortilla Called in English?
The direct English translation is tortilla soup.
When chicken is a major ingredient, English-speaking restaurants and recipe websites commonly use:
Chicken tortilla soup
Other possible descriptions include:
- Mexican chicken tortilla soup
- Mexican tortilla soup
- Chicken sopa de tortilla
- Chicken sopa azteca
- Tortilla soup with chicken
The name usually tells you more about the style of the recipe than a completely different dish.
What Is the Difference Between Sopa Azteca and Sopa de Tortilla?
In many Mexican sources, sopa azteca and sopa de tortilla refer to essentially the same dish. Mexico’s government and Larousse Cocina both present the two names together.
That said, individual cooks and regions may use the names differently or have their own variations.
So if you see Sopa Azteca on a Mexican restaurant menu, it is reasonable to expect a tortilla soup-style dish, often with tomato-chile broth and crispy tortilla strips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chicken tortilla soup called in Spanish?
Chicken tortilla soup can be called sopa de tortilla con pollo, meaning “tortilla soup with chicken.”
What is tortilla soup called in Mexico?
It is commonly called sopa de tortilla or sopa azteca.
Is sopa azteca the same as tortilla soup?
Yes, in many Mexican culinary references, sopa azteca and sopa de tortilla are names for the same dish.
Does sopa de tortilla contain chicken?
It can. Chicken is common in many versions, but it isn’t required for the dish to be called sopa de tortilla.
What does sopa de tortilla translate to?
Sopa de tortilla literally means “tortilla soup.”
What is the main ingredient in tortilla soup?
The soup’s defining ingredient is corn tortilla, particularly the crispy tortilla strips used as a topping or served in the broth.
Is chicken tortilla soup Mexican?
Yes, it is based on the Mexican tradition of tortilla soup, although many American versions have been adapted with ingredients such as black beans, corn, and additional Southwestern seasonings.
Final Answer: What Is Chicken Tortilla Soup Called?
So, what is chicken tortilla soup called?
The traditional Mexican dish is generally known as sopa de tortilla or sopa azteca. When chicken is specifically included, sopa de tortilla con pollo means “tortilla soup with chicken.”
The simplest way to remember the names is:
Sopa de tortilla = Tortilla soup
Sopa azteca = Another common name for tortilla soup
Sopa de tortilla con pollo = Tortilla soup with chicken
While modern chicken tortilla soup recipes can vary significantly, the classic identity of the dish comes from its flavorful broth, corn tortillas, and crispy tortilla strips, often accompanied by avocado, cheese, crema, chilies, cilantro, and lime.
For more chicken tortilla soup recipes, Mexican soup guides, ingredient explanations, cooking tips, and answers to common tortilla soup questions, explore ChickenTortillaSoup.in.