What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup (14 Best Side Dishes)

Thanks to these yummy sides, you don’t need to worry about what to serve with chicken tortilla soup.

From tacos to salad, these sides are filling and quick.

Mexican-inspired dishes can sometimes be heavy or filling, but not chicken tortilla soup!

I always enjoy a piping hot bowl of this soup, made with chicken, tomatoes, and lots of flavorful seasonings and spices.

Chicken tortilla soup is a fantastic appetizer, main dish, or snack. Of course, it’s also satisfying to pair it with side dishes that are just as delicious.

I’ve rounded up 14 yummy dishes to serve with your hearty chicken tortilla soup, refreshing drinks included!

1. Tacos

Whether you opt for corn or flour tortillas, you’ll love having tacos with your chicken tortilla soup.

Shrimp tacos or fish tacos are my personal favorites, but other meats and veggies work well too!

I also recommend going for a creamy sauce with your tacos to match the acidity of the soup.

Sour cream is a great option. You can’t go wrong with thick and smooth guacamole, either!

2. Burritos

Burritos are another dish you can serve with your chicken tortilla soup.

I love experimenting with different fillings, and there are so many versions of burritos you can try.

Breakfast burritos are always a favorite at my house. Wrap up some bacon, hash browns, eggs, and tomatoes, and the result will go perfectly with your soup.

You can even toss in some avocado slices!

Veggie burritos are also super yummy! Make them with beans, rice, corn, guacamole, and a pico de gallo salsa. Yum!

3. Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a classic Mexican dish, and they are so easy to whip up. They’re also super customizable!

When I want quesadillas to go with my chicken tortilla soup, I like to keep things simple. Cheese and jalapenos are the way to go!

Of course, you can always add chicken to make it more filling.

The best part is, you can also dip them into the soup to scoop up the savory soup. So good!

4. Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is a simple dish that packs a lot of flavor. You’ll love it with your chicken tortilla soup!

Use long-grain rice like basmati or jasmine rice. For the best Mexican rice, season it with cumin, chili powder, and cilantro. 

Once it’s hot and ready, top it off with all those delicious goodies from your soup. It’ll taste amazing!

5. Chips & Guacamole

If you’re thinking of topping off your soup with tortilla chips, wait one second! There’s an even better way to add crunch to your delicious chicken tortilla soup.

Serve it with some chips and guacamole on the side, and you’ll have the perfect afternoon snack. Dipping is highly encouraged!

6. Roasted Corn

Making chicken tortilla soup can be a bit of work, especially with all the ingredients added in.

Pair it with something simple like roasted corn, and you’ll save lots of time.

I like to go for corn on the cob seasoned with butter, garlic, cilantro, and salt and pepper. Wrap it in foil and oven roast for 20 minutes.

It’s quick and easy, but still mighty delicious!

7. Black Beans

Here’s a healthy but filling dish to serve with your chicken tortilla soup. This is another quick option if you want to save some time.

There are a lot of options with black beans!

With soup, I like restaurant-style black beans cooked in a pan with onions, garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Don’t forget to top it off with some cilantro!

8. Mexican Cornbread

I absolutely love cornbread, and it tastes even better with jalapeños! The added heat goes perfectly with a soft and moist cornbread.

Serve it with your hearty chicken tortilla soup, and you’ll have a fantastic blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors!

Dip your jalapeño cornbread into your soup for an extra satisfying bite.

9. Fried Polenta

Here’s a tasty treat that’s perfect for dipping into chicken tortilla soup. You’ll love fried polenta that’s chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

When I’m serving this with tortilla soup, I like to cut the polenta into little triangles so it gets extra crunchy.

But still leaves space to scoop up whatever goodies I’ve added into the soup.

Here’s a little tip: make your fried polenta with cheese by coating it in grated parmesan right after frying.

10. Mexican Salad

Here’s a fresh salad to go with your chicken tortilla soup. This is a light and healthy meal that’s filling and satisfying.

For the best Mexican salad, you’ll want to use the usual ingredients like avocado, corn, and tomatoes.

What makes this salad so special is the added zest and sweetness with half an orange and some mangoes!

So yummy and so refreshing!

11. Black Bean Salad

Another salad you can try is black bean salad.

I like to use equal parts of black beans and corn kernels. I just love this combo with my tangy chicken tortilla soup.

For your dressing, try a classic vinaigrette.

This salad tastes great and matches the soup perfectly. It’s also super colorful and pretty enough to serve at potlucks and parties.

12. Mexican Slaw

If you love the classic coleslaw, give Mexican slaw a try. The difference is in the dressing!

When it comes to regular coleslaw, I like mine creamy.

To pair with chicken tortilla soup, I like to stick to the fresh Mexican theme by making a dressing with canola oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, coriander, and the secret ingredient, hot sauce!

You’ll flip for this Mexican spin on classic coleslaw.

13. Jicama Salad

Jicama salad is usually made with julienne jicama, plus other veggies. It has a wonderful, crisp texture. It’s refreshing and delicious!

If you’ve never had jicama before, it’s a common root crop used in Mexican and Asian cuisines.

Think of it as a sweeter, lighter version of potatoes. It’s the perfect accent to your soup!

14. Beer 

Want something boozy with your chicken tortilla soup? I have the perfect pint for you.

Enjoying a warm bowl of soup with a beer is actually quite common. For chicken tortilla soup, you’ll want something refreshing and light.

Mexican-style lagers like Modelo and Tecate are known to have a clean, sweet taste with a slight bitterness. Bottom’s up!