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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper across the ingredients, gently mixing to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
- 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.
- Carefully extract the chicken pieces from the liquid base and utilize two forks to pull apart and shred the meat into delicate strands.
- Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring to integrate with the surrounding soup components.
- Enhance the flavor profile by introducing fresh lime juice and finely chopped cilantro, gently incorporating these bright elements throughout the soup.
- 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