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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.
  • ยฝ 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
  • 1ยฝ teaspoons salt
  • ยพ teaspoon black pepper
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ยผ 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, ยฝ cup chopped onion, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1ยฝ teaspoons salt, ยพ teaspoon black pepper, ยฝ teaspoon ground cumin, and ยผ teaspoons chili powder. Stir to combine.
  2. COOK. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3โ€“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
  • ยฝ cup chopped onion, optional
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1ยฝ teaspoons salt
  • ยพ teaspoon pepper
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ยผ 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 3โ€“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 20โ€“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.
ย 

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 Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ 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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Recipe Rating




190 Comments

  1. Cindy Wessinger says:

    5 stars
    So good love this my husband is also in love thank you and god bless

  2. Linda B says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. This is the 2nd time I have made this for my family and there is never any left. So easy to make and so good.

  3. Jilleen Marchant says:

    We will be having this April 13 at a family gathering. Perfect for our group!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh that’s so awesome! Hope the gathering goes well!

  4. Carole Evans says:

    5 stars
    OMG, this is the easiest and BEST chicken tortilla soup ever.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it!

  5. Marcia says:

    I love your recipes! They are easy to follow
    and my family and friends always ask for
    seconds!
    Thank you!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh thank you so much for the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoy the recipes!!

  6. Evy says:

    5 stars
    WOW. That’s all I have to say! It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S ๐Ÿ™‚

    I cooked the chicken in the crock pot at first so I could have all the flavor in my soup and I added some Knorr “Caldo de Tomate” along with the chicken stock to add a little kick…. I really liked it!

    This is a recipe that I’ll keep… and I don’t keep a lot of recipes usually, so yah, it’s THAT good ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks!!!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh thank you so much!! I’m so happy to hear that you loved the soup! Thanks for sharing what you did too.

  7. Doug says:

    in your nutrition facts I would like to know what is the serving size?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      It’s about 1 cup.

  8. Linda Brocki says:

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner last night and the family loved it. Definitely will be on rotation. Thx

  9. Katelynn says:

    5 stars
    My favorite tortilla soup recipe right now! Itโ€™s in our dinner rotation. Easy to make and delicious!

  10. Kimberly Cherry says:

    I have been looking for a recipe for a chicken tortilla soup. AMAZING!!!!