Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a hearty slow cooker chicken tortilla soup promises a delightful culinary adventure for hungry souls.

Aromatic spices dance through tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors.

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl, inviting you to savor each spoonful.

Mexican-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, promising warmth and satisfaction with every bite.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness in this convenient one-pot marvel.

Busy home cooks will appreciate the simplicity of this crowd-pleasing recipe.

You’ll want to ladle this soul-warming soup into bowls and watch smiles emerge.

Dive into this easy, flavor-packed meal that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable moments.

Instructions for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Step 1: Set Up Your Flavor Powerhouse

• Chicken breasts
• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Diced tomatoes
• Crushed tomatoes
• Chicken broth
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss all ingredients into the slow cooker and mix thoroughly until everything is well combined. This is where the magic begins!

Step 2: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic

Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer. Choose low heat for 5-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken falls apart effortlessly with a gentle touch of a fork.

Step 3: Transform the Chicken

Carefully remove the chicken from the soup and use two forks to pull it apart into tender, juicy shreds. Return the shredded chicken back into the soup and stir gently.

Step 4: Add the Final Flavor Boost

Squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup and sprinkle chopped cilantro for a bright, fresh finish. This is your moment to make the soup sing with flavor!

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips. Add extra toppings like sliced avocado, sour cream, or extra cilantro to make it your own delicious creation.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Spice

• Perfectly Shred Chicken: Pull cooked chicken apart with two forks while it's still warm for the easiest and most tender shredding process.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add an extra pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to enhance the soup's smoky undertones and create a more complex taste profile.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken or turkey for a quick alternative, reducing overall cooking time and adding different flavor dimensions.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and cumin quantities to match your heat preference, ensuring the soup meets your personal spice tolerance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight for even more delicious results.

How to Store and Enjoy Tortilla Soup Later

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Pour soup into a saucepan, add splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Avoid boiling to maintain texture.
• Transfer portion to microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature before serving.

Best Sides and Toppings to Go With This Soup

• Crisp Corona or Modelo Especial cuts through the soup's richness, refreshing your palate with clean, light flavors that complement the spicy and hearty chicken tortilla soup.
• Classic lime margarita echoes the soup's citrus notes, while tequila's warmth matches the chili and cumin spices, creating a vibrant flavor harmony.
• Fresh mixed greens topped with sliced avocado, quick lime dressing, and queso fresco provide a cool, smooth contrast to the soup's robust and spicy profile.
• Homemade or store-bought chips add delightful crunch, perfect for scooping soup and enhancing the overall textural experience of the meal.

Soup Variations to Keep It Fresh and Exciting

• Vegetarian Bean Soup: Replace chicken with additional black beans or plant-based protein like jackfruit. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a hearty meat-free version.
• Spicy Southwest Edition: Increase chili powder, add diced jalapeños, and include a splash of hot sauce for extra heat. Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Soup: Swap corn and beans with riced cauliflower. Reduce total cooking time to prevent cauliflower from becoming mushy. Top with low-carb cheese and crispy bacon bits.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use corn tortilla strips instead of wheat-based options. Double-check seasoning packets for potential gluten contamination.

Chicken Tortilla Soup FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. Just increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours to ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly and can be easily shredded.

• Is this soup spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level from chili powder and cumin. If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chili powder or use a mild version. For more heat, add a diced jalapeño or increase the chili powder.

• Can I make this soup gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure you use gluten-free chicken broth and check that your tortilla strips are gluten-free. Most corn tortilla strips are safe for those avoiding gluten.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Use low-sodium chicken broth, add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, and choose lean chicken breasts. You can also reduce the amount of tortilla strips or use baked strips instead of fried ones.

Flavorful Comfort in Every Spoonful of This Tortilla Soup

• Throw all ingredients into the slow cooker without complex chopping or advanced cooking skills, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals with minimal effort.
• Takes just 5-10 minutes to prep and 3-6 hours of hands-off cooking time, delivering a warm, hearty meal that's ideal for lazy weekends or busy weeknights without standing over a hot stove.
• Packed with kid-approved ingredients like chicken, beans, and corn, this soup offers customizable toppings that let everyone personalize their bowl, ensuring even picky eaters will enjoy dinner.
• Provides a balanced meal with lean protein from chicken, fiber from beans, and vitamins from vegetables, creating a wholesome dish that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating without complicated nutrition tracking.

Ingredients to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Slow Cooker

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and easily shreddable, main component of the soup.
• Black Beans: Additional protein source with rich, hearty texture, great for adding nutritional value.

• Corn: Sweet, fresh element that adds color and subtle crunch.
• Diced Tomatoes, Crushed Tomatoes: Provide rich base flavor and create soup's foundational texture.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds deep, savory flavor profile.

• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base and enhances overall soup flavor.
• Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika: Warm spices that contribute authentic southwestern taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing other flavors.

• Lime Juice: Adds bright, fresh acidity to complete the soup.
• Fresh Cilantro: Optional herb that provides fresh, herbaceous note.
• Tortilla Strips: Crunchy topping for texture contrast.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty slow cooker chicken tortilla soup brings Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen. Zesty spices, tender chicken, and rich broth create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can corn, drained
• 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Serving Options:

• Tortilla strips
• Avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Jalapenos

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Assemble the foundational elements of the soup by layering chicken breasts, black beans, corn, diced and crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker vessel.
2. Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper across the ingredients, gently mixing to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
3. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the ingredients to simmer and meld together on low temperature for 6-8 hours, or alternatively on high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches optimal tenderness.
4. Carefully extract the chicken pieces from the liquid base and utilize two forks to pull apart and shred the meat into delicate strands.
5. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring to integrate with the surrounding soup components.
6. Enhance the flavor profile by introducing fresh lime juice and finely chopped cilantro, gently incorporating these bright elements throughout the soup.
7. Transfer the aromatic tortilla soup into serving bowls, presenting with crisp tortilla strips and an array of complementary garnishes like diced avocado, sour cream, or shredded cheese.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding jalapeños for extra spice.
• Use rotisserie chicken as a quick time-saving alternative to slow cooking chicken breasts.
• Swap chicken for plant-based protein like jackfruit or tofu to create a vegetarian version.
• Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for convenient meal prep and future quick dinners.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 312
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg