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Sopa de Lima Yucateca is a traditional Chicken Lime Soup from Mexico’s Yucatan region. It is similar to the better known Chicken Tortilla Soup but adds a fresh citrus flavor with the liberal use of fresh lime.
The limes used in the Yucatan Peninsula for this soup are a variety called “lima agria” or bitter lime. They have a are slightly sweet and bitter/sour taste at the same time. I think of the flavor as a combination of tangerine, lime and grapefruit. They add a very fresh light flavor to the soup but are often difficult to source outside of Mexico.
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In my version I’ve used standard fresh limes, but feel free to add a little grapefruit juice. Key limes are also a good choice if you can find them. Of course, if you are lucky enough to be able to source lima agria, use those!
If unable to locate fried tortilla strips you can make them the traditional way by cutting a few corn tortillas into strips and frying them in hot oil until crisp.
Here are some additional Mexican inspired recipes and international soup recipes you might enjoy
Sopa de Lima Yucateca - Mexican Chicken Lime Soup

Sopa de Lima Yucateca - a traditional Chicken Lime Soup from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula similar to Tortilla Soup with extra spice and citrus.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Vegetable Oil
- 1 1/2 Lbs (680 g) Chicken Breast - Cubed
- 1 Large White Onion - Diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic - Minced
- 2 Roma Tomatoes - Diced
- 1 Jalapeño Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon (1 g) Mexican Oregano
- Pinch Ground Cinnamon
- 3 - 4 Limes
- Dash of Hot Sauce
- 5 Cups (1.2 L) Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon (5.9 g) salt
- 1 Bunch Cilantro - Washed and Roughly Chopped
- Prepared Fried Tortilla Strips for Garnish
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken cubes in a frying pan with vegetable oil over medium heat. Brown on all sides and then set aside.
- Mince 1/2 of the jalapeno pepper and thinly slice the rest into thin rounds.
- Add the onion to the frying pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato, minced jalapeno, oregano and cinnamon. Saute until the onion and garlic are are browned and translucent.
- Place the onion mixture and chicken in a stock pot.
- Return the frying pan to the heat. Place a few fresh lime slices in the pan and brown lightly on both sides. Set aside.
- Squeeze fresh limes into the frying pan (yield should be about 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice). Remove from the heat.
- Add the chicken stock to the stock pot and increase the heat until the soup begins to boil. Add fresh lime juice and 1/2 of the cilantro and a dash of hot sauce to the soup. Reduce the heat and continue to cook for 5 - 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish liberally tortilla strips.and garnish with fried lime slices, jalapeno slices and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 175Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 6mgSodium 342mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 6g
Nutritional Values are estimates only, and does not include tortilla strips
Here are a few of our favorite soup recipes you might enjoy!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
Saturday 18th of February 2017
I'm under the weather right now and need to make this soup for dinner! Chicken tortilla soup is one of my favorites and yours looks really delicious.
Jen
Sunday 19th of February 2017
I hope you enjoyed it! I made it for my husband when he had a head cold and it was just the perfect thing!