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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!

Chicken tortilla soup served in a white bowl.

Grandma’s Recipe

My grandma Luna loved making chicken tortilla soup and my mom continued the tradition making it a long-time family favorite. Although my grandma’s soup used more fresh ingredients, we’ve simplified it over the years so that it can come together in minutes.

Now, we make this soup all fall long and even the kids will throw it together because it’s that easy. We love to serve it with Cornbread or Cornbread muffins – or even fresh Homemade Tortillas.

This chicken soup recipe tastes like Chicken Tacos in a bowl – the same delicious flavors and even more simple to make!

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • So easy – so yummy! This easy soup recipe takes 15 minutes to prep and the flavor is incredible.
  • Crockpot or stove. Simmer all day in the slow cooker or make it in minutes on the stove.
  • Toppings galore. Top with your favorite fixings like tortilla strips, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and more.
Cans of corn, beans, tomatoes, and green chili on a wooden table.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth – Both work great!
  • 2 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken – Cook the chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs and shred or cube. You can also buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it.
  • 1-2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes – or canned fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can of corn
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) can of black beans – or use pinto beans or kidney beans
  • 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
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoons chili powder – Add cayenne pepper for more spice.
  • toppings – more shredded cheese, sour cream, queso fresco, diced avocado, chopped green onions, cilantro and limes
Chicken and veggies cooking in broth in a pot on the stove.

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

  1. 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. Stir to combine.
  2. COOK. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours.
  3. GARNISH. Add cheese, tortilla strips, and other favorite toppings right before serving.

Stovetop Directions

  1. 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.
  2. Dish into bowls. Add cheese just before serving, and top with your favorite toppings!
A white bowl of chicken tortilla soup topped with tortilla strips and sliced avocado.

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5 from 383 votes

Chicken Tortilla Soup

By: Lil’ Luna
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!
Servings: 6
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes

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
  • 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 

  • In a slow cooker, combine chicken stock, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, diced green chiles, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and chili powder.
  • 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.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Place this chicken tortilla soup recipe 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 and freeze for 3-4 months.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 383 votes (308 ratings without comment)

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190 Comments

  1. Birdena says:

    5 stars
    We Loved this recipe SOOO Much, Just Amazing with all the toppings!! Definitely a Keeper😋Thank You Very Much Lil Luna❣i made this soup with Zuchinni Drop Biscuits recipe from Colleen Kennedy, which were Wonderful with it!! Both will be Our Family Favorites👍
    I topped it with cilantro, avocado, diced green onìons, & cheese😋

  2. Birdena says:

    5 stars
    We Loved this recipe SOOO Much, Just Amazing with all the toppings!! Definitely a Keeper😋Thank You Very Much Lil Luna❣i made this soup with Zuchinni Drop Biscuits recipe from Colleen Kennedy, which were Wonderful with it!! Both will be Our Family Favorites👍