~ Absolutely a family favorite! This deliciously hearty, super-easy tortilla soup is full of yummy Mexican flavors! Just toss everything in the slow cooker, and you’ll have an amazing dinner waiting! Filling and so nutritious … you’ll be making this crock-pot chicken taco soup again and again! ~
First off, we need to get one thing straight. The title of this recipe is Crock-Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
“Yes, Gretchen,” you say. “That’s what I read.”
“No, no,” I say. “I’m pretty sure you aren’t saying it right.”
I promised my youngest that I would tell the world how to properly pronounce this.
In our house, this is called Crock-Pot Chicken TOR-TILLLL-LLA Soup.
You’ve got to pronounce all the Ls there.
So it’s tortillllla. Not tor-tee-a. Tor-til-la.
And so, for the rest of your life (or just today if that works better for you) … you’ve gotta humor my kiddo and say tort-tilll-lla. Thank you. 🙂
Mmmmmkay. Moving on …
So, a few years ago, I had made an enormous batch of 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos. Can ya blame me?! It’s so incredibly simple! A family fave at our house, for sure! My kids beg for it!
Anyhoo, we happened to have loads of leftovers. (And I love leftovers. We actually try to cook big a few days each week so that we can have yummy leftovers to grab on those really busy evenings.)
So we had lots of taco chicken left over … and I decided I wanted to change things up a bit. I’d had chicken tortilla soup before, but hadn’t ever tried to make it myself. Since I had a little time that day … I figured, why not? I’ll try making my own.
Call it luck … call it what you want … but it was so delicious the very first time I made it! Don’t you love that?!?
I can remember standing over my stove top. (Yes, my very first version simmered for several hours on the stove. But as my kids are getting older and more involved in lots of after-school activities, I just don’t have time to stand and stir. Know what I mean?)
I remember breathing in that fantastic aroma. Tasting it repeatedly. Mmmmm …
And when I served it for dinner that night, my family (who, you’ll recall, LOVES chicken tacos) enthusiastically told me they LOVED this, too … and were hoping for leftovers!
Is that not the best compliment ever? They love it so much, they want to eat it two days in a row!
I’ve been making it for years now, and once I shared it with Shelley … we knew it was totally THKable!
So the only trick was adapting this for the slow cooker. (And, of course, rewriting it from the beginning for those who don’t always happen to have leftover 3-Ingredient Chicken Taco meat in their fridge like I do.)
Shelley and I had put this recipe on the calendar to share in the fall – it’s just so warming and toasty and really hearty – perfect for a chilly day.
Well. You know what season comes right before fall? That’s right. Summer.
And summer was when I was doing the final testing of this recipe.
Now, you may be thinking, “Ugh! Hot soup on a hot day?! How awful!”
But … you’d be wrong.
In fact, on a recent 90º day, my little one asked what was for dinner. When I told her Chicken Tor-til-la Soup, she cheered. Like, literally cheered. Jumping and squealing and carrying on. So super excited.
Honestly, I was really excited, too. It had been a crazy day, and I hadn’t been home much. So to come home to a dinner that was all set – it was truly a gift. (I mean, it wasn’t wrapped in a little blue box, but it was still like a gift!)
So if you’re looking for an awesomely-easy, supremely-delicious, fantastically-family-pleasing crock-pot chicken tortilla soup recipe, one that gives you a warm hug and is ready when you are … you’ve come to the right place!
I’m so thrilled to share this recipe with you (another one of our easy crockpot chicken recipes that’ll make your life easier!) … and I just know that your family will cheer for you when you make it, too! Total win!
Pssssst … if you’d like some side dish ideas to round out your meal, we’ve got a delicious collection of sides to accompany our Taco Soup, which would all pair perfectly with this Chicken Tortilla Soup, too!
And please … just remember how to pronounce it properly. TOR-TILLLL-LLA … I’m thinkin’ it’ll catch on eventually!
While We’re Talking Mexican … You’ve Gotta Check Out:
- Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna (Just 5 Ingredients and No Thawing or Boiling!)
- Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Easy Taco Soup with Ranch
- Mexican Fiesta Black Bean Hummus
- Chicken Fajita Quinoa Bake (No Pre-Cooking!)
- Tex-Mex Taco Burgers with Creamy Salsa Dressing
Crock-Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
A deliciously hearty, super-easy slow cooker tortilla soup! Loaded with Mexican flavors, this healthy crock-pot chicken taco soup is a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (1.25-ounce) packet low-sodium taco seasoning (see note)
- 1 (16-ounce) jar of your favorite salsa
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen corn kernels
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (such as Ro-Tel)
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch strips
- For serving: optional toppings such as shredded cheese, green onions, chopped avocados, reduced-fat sour cream, and chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and then pour salsa on top.
- Add chicken broth, water, black beans, corn, tomatoes with chilies, quinoa, tomato paste, cumin, and salt.
- Stir to incorporate tomato paste.
- Cook on high for 5-6 hours, or on low for 7-8 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Stir shredded chicken back into soup, as well as tortilla strips.
- Serve with shredded cheese, green onions, avocados, reduced-fat sour cream, cilantro, or other additional toppings, if desired.
Notes
Taco seasoning: We recommend avoiding taco seasoning mixes that contain MSG. Also, there are differences in the amounts of sodium (and other ingredients) in various brands, so it’s a good idea to read the nutrition information for the brands offered at your store.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 servings Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 698mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 20g
Nutrition calculation does not include optional toppings. Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may additionally vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
I love tortilla soup and have yet to make it in the crock pot. That fall weather is beginning to really set in and this would be great for dinner. Great recipe and can’t wait to try it. Pinning
Cindy, it’s so perfect in the crock-pot! No need to keep peeking at a large simmering pot on the stove! Nope – just toss your ingredients in a go about your day … dinner cooks itself while you are busy at work or just playing in the leaves outside! Thanks for the pin! 😀 ~G&S
Happy Fall! This tortilla soup sounds super yummy and perfect for any time of year! I’ll have to remember to call it “tortilllllllla” from now on – too funny 🙂
Haha! My little on will be so pleased to know that her pronunciation has carried on … overseas no less! 😀
And yes – it seriously is yummy any day! We have eaten it during each season and can confidently say – it’s just delicious any time of the year! Enjoy!! ~Gretchen
Lol, you had me saying it out loud! Isn’t it a happy feeling to have your kid ask what’s for dinner and jump up and down in excitement…Thanks for this dish, I love it!
Gourmet Getaways
Yes, Julie! That is the absolute best!!! I LOVE when my kids are actually thrilled about what’s for dinner … it just makes that time of the day go so much smoother! No dinner battles = happy mamma! Actually, I really love this because it’s so easy! So it’s a double win for me!! But we don’t need to go spreading that around … let’s just keep it to ourselves! 🙂 ~Gretchen
Love soup so much and the additions to this soup make it extra lovable! Cilantro, avocado, green onions – all so good. And spicy food they say is more satisfying as it has so much taste and you end up eating less! But, I don’t think I could stop with this soup. Sounds great!
Thank you, Lori! This soup is definitely super satisfying! Full of flavor and really good-for-you ingredients, you can have a second bowl, and not feel guilty about it! That is, if you have room for a second helping! Lol!! Hope you make it – it’s a hit at our homes, for sure!! ~G&S
I can definitely see why this would be a family favorite. It looks SO good – and soup in the wintertime is perfect. Pinned!
Thanks for the love, Kristi! I love soup – I really could eat it all year! (And we have – it’s super yummy whenever you make it!) Gotta love a dinner that makes everyone happy!:D ~Gretchen