How to Make Pappasito’s Tortilla Soup Recipe At Home
Chris and Harris Pappas opened the first Pappasito’s restaurant in 1976. Since then, they’ve grown to have over 80 establishments throughout Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Georgia, and Arizona. Using over 3.5 million pounds of tortillas a year, Pappasito’s is not your average restaurant chain.
The Pappas family oversees the operations of all restaurants as well as all the trucks that deliver the food and supplies. At each Pappasito cantina, the staff are not just hired. They are specially trained to treat everyone like an honored guest, in keeping with the Greek tradition. Generous portions of Greek, Tex-Mex, and American cuisine are served with top quality ingredients.
From dry aged steak to Gulf coast seafood, there’s something for everyone at all cantina locations. The Pappas brothers do not skimp on mouthwatering flavor either. One example of their dedication to deliciousness is the chicken tortilla soup. Chock full of avocado, corn, and spices.
Check out a delightful version of this soup below.
How To Make Pappasito’s Tortilla Soup Recipe From Home
Ingredients
- 2 cups of chopped carrots
- 2 cups of zucchini, sliced
- 2 cups of chopped onions
- 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro stems
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 table spoon of olive oil
- 1 pablano pepper (diced and seeded)
- 1 chipotle, chopped, in adobo sauce. Plus another teaspoon of sauce
- 1 (28 ounce) can of chopped tomatoes (drained)
- 1 can of great northern beans (or beans of your choice). Make sure to drain and wash them
- 2 cups of shredded chicken
- 3 ears of fresh corn taken off the cob
- 48 ounces of chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder
- 2 teaspoons of cumin
- 1 bunch of cilantro leaves, diced
- juice from 2 limes
- sharp cheddar cheese
- fresh avocado, chopped
- sour cream
- lime wedges
Directions
1. In a large pot, pour in the olive oil. Then sauté the carrots, onions, and zucchini until aromatic (about 10 minutes). Add a pinch of salt.
2. Toss in the cilantro STEMS, chipotle, and adobo sauce with the pepper and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes.
3. Add in the tomatoes, chicken, beans, corn, stock, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of salt.
4. Heat on high and let the soup come to a boil. Then turn to a medium low heat for about 45 minutes. Add the fresh cilantro leaves and lime juice, 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
5. Before you ladle out the soup, crush a handful of tortilla chips into the bottom of the bowl.
6. Finally, top the soup with the avocado, cheddar, lime wedge, and sour cream.
Is Pappasito’s Tortilla Soup Recipe Nutritious?
Overall, Pappasito’s tortilla soup recipe is a healthy dish. It’s loaded with protein and fiber from the chicken and the beans. The spices like cumin and garlic are heart healthy and full of antioxidants. Cumin can also aid in weight loss and reduce the inflammatory effects of arthritis. The tomatoes contain lycopene which helps with fighting cancer and promotes heart health.
Nutrition Facts
- calories: 130
- carbohydrates: 18 grams
- fat: 4.5 grams
- sodium: 600 milligrams
- sugar: 1.4 grams
- vitamin c: 54.6%
- vitamin k: 30%
- vitamin a: 30%
What Goes Well With Pappasito’s Tortilla Soup Recipe?
We all know soup can be a meal in itself. Especially chicken tortilla soup. But often, we do like a good side to go with it. Here’s some suggestions that are a bit left of what we may normally think will go well with tortilla soup (tacos, quesadillas, etc.). Some are more unique than others, but all are delicious with this soup.
1. Spinach and bacon salad
The flavors are a great way to offset the spices of the soup.
2. Shrimp and avocado salad
You will probably have some cilantro and avocado left over. So why not grab some shrimp and onions to make the perfect side.
3. Cornbread
Filling and great for dipping.
4. Taco salad
If you’re looking for a similar flavored palate, taco salad is the way to go. You can also substitute the tacos with leftover tortillas.
5. Sun dried focaccia
A tangy compliment to the spicy soup.
6. Sour cream and cheddar biscuits
When paired with the soup, these hearty biscuits will certainly fill you up.
7. Spicy slaw
Add some crunchy goodness to the smooth texture of the soup.
8. Cheese plate
Easy, simple, and tasty.
9. Baked potato wedges
Just sprinkle the olive oil, spices, and bake.
10. Bruschetta
This mouthwatering bread topping will be great before or during the soup.
The Scoop On Cilantro
Pappasito’s Tortilla Soup Recipe uses a lot of cilantro for a reason. Simply, it adds bunches of flavor to every dish it graces. Cilantro is an herb that is used in many Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes. Cilantro has the appearance of parsley ( it’s actually called Chinese parsley).
The leaves come from the coriander plant. All parts of this herb foliage can be used from the seeds (coriander ) to the leaves and stems (cilantro). The lemony pepper taste of cilantro makes it great in soups, stews, dips, and starch-based recipes. When using cilantro, be sure to wash it thoroughly as it tends to hold onto soil and grit. One of the most important things to remember with cilantro is not to cook it.
Cooked cilantro will lose its flavor. Just add it in at the end of a recipe or use as a topping or garnish. This herb also degrades quickly, so do not wash it until you’re about to make the recipe. Cilantro can be kept fresh by placing the bunch of stems first ( like flowers), in a glass of water. Then cover loosely with a plastic bag. Love cilantro? Have it growing wildly in your garden? Here’s some ideas about what to do with it.
- cilantro salad dressing
- cilantro lime chicken
- pesto
- cucumber and cilantro salad
- grilled shrimp and cilantro
- black bean tostadas with cilantro sauce
- cilantro ranch pasta salad
- pad thai
- scrambled egg tacos with cilantro lime drizzle
- cilantro rice
- chili verde with cilantro
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