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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
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
- 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 on low for 8 hours or on 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
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.
I’ve made this several times. Always tastes great!
So easy for a busy day. Super yummy for leftovers too!
Best chicken tortilla soup ever!!!!My whole family loves this soup! My daughter wants me to always make this for her!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much!
Wonderful recipe! My family loves it as do I. Easy to make & not time consuming. I have even changed some of the ingredients due to likes or what is in my pantry & it’s still delicious. Bon Appetit’
Thank you! That’s what I love about cooking, you can always change a recipe 🙂
Very yummy!
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
This Looks like the perfect mini hot tub for a slice of homemade bread to dive into. hehe. 🙂 This looks absolutely amazing. 🙂
mY HUSBAND CAN ONLY HAVE 1500 MG OF SODIUM A DAY. DO YOU HAVE ANY RECEIPES THAT ARE LOW IN SODIUM?
THANKS,
nANCY pRESLEY
I don’t have masa to thick this soup. You MENTIONED flour. Do you add the flour directly to the SOUP or make a slury with water? How much flour and or water do you add? Thanks
I would just add it in step 2 🙂
This looks delicious! I was curious if the serving size Is 1 CuP, or 1.5cup for the nutritional value info. Thanks!
It is about 1 cup-1.5 cups. Lol..that probably doesn’t help.
Excellent!
Thank you so much!