4.65 from 14 votes

Chicken Tortilla Soup

ByStacie Vaughan On October 7, 2024October 7, 2024

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Chicken Tortilla Soup is the ultimate slow cooker comfort food, perfect for chilly winter days. It’s packed with flavor thanks to diced tomatoes, green chilies, chicken broth, onion, garlic, and cumin, all simmering together for hours to create a hearty, soul-warming meal.

This Mexican-inspired soup will quickly become one of your go-to recipes. It’s a one-pot wonder made with simple ingredients, perfect for a weeknight dinner or cozy family meal.

I love slow cooker soups because they’re so easy. There’s nothing better than coming home after a busy day to a hot, homemade dinner already waiting for you. This Chicken Tortilla Soup tastes just as good as the version you’d get at a restaurant, but it takes way less effort!

With flavors that remind you of chicken fajitas or tacos, it’s a great meal for the whole family. Plus, you can customize the spice level to suit your taste, and it’s a perfect way to use up leftover chicken.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to Make: Throw everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Customizable: Top it with your favorite extras, such as avocado, cheese, cilantro, or sour cream. Adjust the spice level with jalapeños to suit your taste.
Family Favorite: This soup is a hit with my family all year round, especially when it’s cold outside.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Makes the soup hearty and satisfying.
Diced tomatoes: Adds a rich tomato base with a little sweetness.
Mild green chilies: Brings a bit of mild spice without overpowering the dish.
Chicken broth: Forms the base, adding rich, savory flavor.
Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the other ingredients.
Garlic: Brings a depth of flavor to the soup.
Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor.
Corn tortillas (cut into strips): For a crunchy, flavorful topping.
Monterey Jack cheese: Melts into the soup, adding a creamy touch.
Avocado: Adds richness and healthy fats.
Lime juice: Brightens up the soup with a zesty finish.

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

Follow along to learn how to make chicken tortilla soup. It’s so easy and packed full of hearty taco flavor.

Step One: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, juice, chilies, ½ cup broth, onion, garlic, and cumin. Pour the mixture over the chicken.

Collage of adding the ingredients to a white crockpot.

Step Two: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and add another ½ cup of broth.
Step Three: Cook on low for another hour.
Step Four: Just before serving, add tortillas to slow cooker. Stir to blend. Serve in soup bowls, topping each serving with cheese, avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Collage of shredding the chicken and adding to the slow cooker.

What to Serve with It

Garnishing

Tortilla Strips: Homemade or store-bought, these crispy strips give the soup its signature crunch. To make your own, slice tortillas into strips and bake or fry them until crispy.
Cheese: Melt some shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack over the soup for a creamy finish.
Avocado: Slice or cube avocado to add creaminess.
Fresh Cilantro: Chopped cilantro adds a burst of fresh flavor.
Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime juice balances the soup’s richness with a tangy kick.
Tortilla Chips: Store-bought or homemade, these are perfect for dipping. Try air fryer tortilla chips.
Sliced Jalapeños: For those who like extra heat!
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop adds a tangy, creamy contrast.

The recipe in a white slow cooker with a white ladle.

Common Variations

Vegetarian Version: Swap the chicken for zucchini or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Spicy Version: Add more jalapeños, serrano peppers, or even chipotle chilies in adobo sauce for a smoky, spicy twist.

Substitutions

Protein: Use shredded turkey, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Chicken thighs are also a great alternative.
Beans: Add black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans for extra protein.
Broth: Swap chicken broth for vegetable or beef broth. For a lower-sodium option, choose low-sodium broth.
Tomatoes: Use fire-roasted tomatoes or tomatoes with green chilies for a bit of extra flavor.
Corn: Fresh or frozen corn works great in this recipe. You can also swap it for other veggies like bell peppers or carrots.

A bowl of the recipe loaded with toppings.

Storage Instructions

Reheat: Warm it up on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave in short bursts until heated.
Refrigerate: Let the soup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze: To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.

A bowl of the soup surrounded by ingredients.

Stovetop Instructions

Step One: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they’re soft. Then, add the garlic and cook for a minute more.
Step Two: If using uncooked chicken, add it now and cook until it’s no longer pink on the outside.
Step Three: Pour the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and spices. Stir well.
Step Four: Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes. If you’re using pre-cooked chicken, add it in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Step Five: Stir in lime juice, tortilla strips, and avocado before serving.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Toast the Spices: Toasting the cumin in a dry pan before adding it to the soup can enhance the flavors.
Use High-Quality Broth: A good chicken stock or bone broth adds flavor. If you have homemade broth, that’s even better!
Embrace the Toppings: Don’t skip the toppings—they really take the soup to the next level.

Is It Spicy?

It can be, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding or leaving out spicy ingredients like jalapeños.

Soup Recipes

You’ll also like Homemade Taco Seasoning, Pico de Gallo, Taco Casserole, and this Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

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