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Savor the flavors of chicken tacos in a soup recipe that is prepped in 15 minutes.
The Best & Easiest Soup!
We are always in soup mode when the cool fall weather approaches!
One of our all-time favorite chicken soup recipes is our Chicken Tortilla Soup. My grandma Luna has been making this for my mom and then her for us for decades making it a long-time family favorite.
Why We Love Tortilla Soup!
- So easy – so yummy! This is one of the easiest soup recipes out there! Prep time only takes 15 minutes and the flavor is incredible.
- Made on stove or in slow cooker. Whether you have a little more time or not, this soup can be made any way.
- Toppings galore. With all the fixings that go on top, like tortilla strips, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges and more – this recipe is hard NOT to love.
- PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
- COOK TIME: 4 HOURS
Tortilla Soup Ingredients
- 6 cups Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth – Both work great!
- 2 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken – Cook the chicken breasts and shred (or cube) them – for tips on shredded chicken GO HERE. You can also buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it or even used cooked chicken thighs.
- 1-2 (14.5-ounce) cans Diced Tomatoes – You can also use canned fire-roasted tomatoes.
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can of Corn – It’s the perfect addition to this soup.
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can of Black Beans – Use pinto beans or kidney beans too.
- 1 (4-ounce) can of Diced Green Chiles – Mild or hot work, but we typically do mild.
- ½ cup Chopped Onion (optional) – You can mince the onions or use onion powder. For a different flavor, try chopped bell peppers.
- 2 teaspoons Minced Garlic- Use 2 garlic cloves and learn How to Mince Garlic.
- 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
- ¾ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ¼ teaspoons Chili Powder
- Toppings: more shredded cheese, sour cream, queso fresco, diced avocado, chopped green onions, cilantro and limes
How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup
- COMBINE. In a slow cooker, combine 6 cups chicken stock, 2 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken, 1-2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, 1 (14.5-ounce) can of corn, 1 (15.25-ounce) can of black beans, 1 (4-ounce) can of diced green chiles, ½ cup chopped onion, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1½ teaspoons salt, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and ¼ teaspoons chili powder.
- COOK. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- GARNISH. Add cheese, tortilla strips, and other favorite toppings right before serving.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Stovetop Directions
- Combine all chicken tortilla soup ingredients (minus the cheese and toppings) into a large pot, and cook on medium-high heat to bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Dish into bowls. Add cheese just before serving, and top with your favorite toppings!
COMPLETE THE MEAL
SIDES: Homemade Tortillas, Mexican Cornbread, Cheese Quesadillas. Cheese Crisps, Classic Cornbread
DESSERTS: Tres Leches, Sopapillas, Arroz con Leche, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Chocolate Tres Leches
More SOUPS: Taco Soup, Chili’s Chicken Enchilada Soup, Mexican Soup, Stuffed Pepper Soup, Healthy Tortilla Soup, Albondigas Soup
More Collections: Mexican Soup Recipes, Easy Soup Recipes
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Enjoy the flavors of a taco in this easy chicken tortilla soup – preps in minutes and simmers all day for a comforting and easy dinner!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken stock, or chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1-2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- ½ cup chopped onion, optional
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Toppings (Optional)
- corn tortilla strips (store-bought or homemade), sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chopped avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Add cheese, tortilla strips, and other favorite toppings right before serving.
Video
Notes
Stove top directions. In a large pot, combine all ingredients except the toppings over medium-low heat. Simmer for 20–30 minutes, or until soup is heated through. Ladle into bowls and add cheese, tortilla strips, and other favorite toppings.
Store. Store in one container, or individual serving sized containers, and refrigerate for 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 95kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 927mg, Potassium: 285mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 37IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!
Recipe FAQ
Can I Make it Creamy?
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking in the crock pot, add ⅔ cup heavy cream and ⅓ cup sour cream.
Make HOmemade Tortilla Strips?
- Cut corn tortillas into strips with a pizza cutter. Either flash fry in hot oil or bake at 425°F for 8-10 minutes turning halfway through. You can also crush tortilla chips as well.
How to Store Tortilla Soup?
- Place tortilla soup in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
How to freeze?
- Let the tortilla soup recipe cool first, then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag, make sure you omit the toppings.
Ways to reheat?
- Let the recipe for chicken tortilla soup thaw overnight in the fridge (if frozen) and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Love this recipe, quick easy and satisfying.
Delicious! We’ve been enjoying this recipe for quite a while-I just double the spices to our taste…😊
5 stars for this one every time I make it! So good and full of flavor!
Looks yummy
My family loved this soup. I used frozen white corn instead of canned corn. Will making this again.
Fantastic. I did use taco seasoning with my chicken to give it a little extra taste. The diced tomatoes, used 2 cans – one original and one with chiles. Followed everything else per recipe. I highly encourge the homemade tortilla strips. Delicious.
I was never one who liked Chicken Tortilla Soup, but, was willing to try again. This recipe is delicious and the family lives it. Thank you for the recipe I am now a Chicken Tortilla Soup lover!!!
I love your Chicken Tortilla Soup!! I made it on top of the stove with a cooked chicken, hot from Kroger! Didn’t change a thing. Perfection!! Hey, thanks!!
This was so easy and so delicious. Definitely will be making this again.
So happy you liked it!! Thank you!!
Just made this again for my family. This is my go to soup. It is so easy and good to throw together. I do omit the onions and add a little bit of heavy cream. Comes out so good and there is never any left.