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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!
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.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 4 HOURS
- 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
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. Stir to combine.
- 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.
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!
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Place this chicken tortilla soup recipe in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Let the tortilla soup recipe cool first, then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for 3-4 months.
I know this is an old thread but just wanted to let you know I tried this for dinner tonight and it was very good.
We dropped into the low 80’s today and weathermen said a cold front was going through, so that called for soup 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, it will be used more this winter.
Haha..it sure does!! I can eat it anytime! Thank you for letting me know!
This recipe is in our regular rotation of soups! The kids all LOVE it, especially with the tortilla strips on top. Though we just fry up flour tortilla strips since that is what we always have on hand.
I love that the ingredients are all things we always have in our cupboards, it’s quick to put together, and no complaints at the dinner table! As a mom of 4 and a picky husband….thats a win! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
That makes me so happy to hear!!! Thank you so much for letting me know! That’s why we love it too 🙂
How many will this recipe serve? I’m having the soup course for our neighborhood Christmas progressive dinner, and this looks delicious.
If you are feeding a neighborhood, I would double the recipe. If you have a huge crowd, you may need to triple. I’m not sure exactly how many it will feed, but when I picture a neighborhood dinner, I think of a lot of people. It just depends on how many. Good luck!
I’m commenting years later…..but can I make this in the crockpot? Do I just throw everything in together? And can I cook it on high?
ok made this for cinco de mayo. It was amazing. I threw everything in the crockpot. I added a little more chicken. And used 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce. It was excellent.
That sounds delicious!! SO glad you liked it!! Thanks for sharing what you did!
Yes, you would throw everything in the crockpot, except the cheese, avocados, and tortilla strips and cook on low for 8 hrs or high 3-4hrs. Add the cheese and toppings to your own individual bowls:)
Found this on Pinterest. This is my second time making it, it’s delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t notice how many this recipe fed??
This was so delicious that I featured this recipe on my blog Merry Weather on a list of perfect Autumn recipes!! Thank you so much for creating something so dang delicious!
merryweather
The first time I made this per the recipe. This time I added a medium can of hominy, and substituted creamed corn. I served it with a mix of pepper jack and sharp cheddar cheeses, then topped it with tortilla crisps, a dollop of sour cream, chopped green onions, and a some diced black olives. Delicious!
Oooh, you modifications sounds delicious!! SO glad it was a hit. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
I just made this for my family. It was very simple, and I had everything on hand. My kids each ate three bowls! Next time I think I might try adding some hominy. I added a dollop of sour cream on top and that, along with the avocados was superb!
YAY!! I’m so glad it was a hit!! It’s one of my favorite soup recipes ever. Thanks for stopping by!! 😀
Do I drain the corn?