Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 chicken breast; 1 (15 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and peppers; 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce; (1) 4 ounce can chopped green chile peppers; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed; (2) 14.5 ounce can chicken broth; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 bay leaf; 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn (can substitute 2 can if needed); 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro; Tortilla strips (found near the croutons); toppings of your choice

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Chicken Tortilla Soup just got easier now that you can make it in the slow cooker! Chicken breast, black beans, corn and the perfect blend of spices simmer to perfection in this easy fix it and forget it Crock Pot dinner!

slow cooker chicken tortilla soup in white bowl with avocado slices

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I’m a huge fan of slow cooker meals you can quickly prep and then forget about until dinner time. This tortilla soup made in the Crock Pot is just that kind of meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights but delicious enough to serve when having company for dinner.

Why I love this recipe

It takes just 5 minutes to add everything to the slow cooker
It’s packed with flavor from the enchilada sauce, peppers, and spices
The toppings can be customized to individual tastes, making it a very flexible meal!
Like our honey garlic chicken and Mexican chicken, this is an easy dump-it-and-forget-it recipe the entire family loves

What is tortilla soup?

Tortilla soup is a classic Mexican soup recipe. It usually is made with chicken but can also have variations with turkey, shredded pork, beef, lamb, or even fish. The protein is cooked with ingredients like corn, beans, and flavorful additions like jalapeños and cilantro. It is simmered, then topped with crispy tortilla strips and toppings like avocado or sour cream.

Ingredients

Chicken provides the protein in this soup but you could easily substitute shredded pork, beef, or other protein of your choice.
Beans and corn make this soup hearty and filling.
Rotel, enchilada sauce and chilis add kick to the flavor!
Chicken broth simmers everything together, salted or low sodium is fine, just adjust the salt accordingly.
Garlic and onion along with cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, and fresh cilantro round out this delicious soup recipe!

Step by step

overhead view of chicken tortilla soup ingredients in slow cooker

Add all ingredients (except toppings) to the slow cooker.
Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours.
One hour before serving use two forks to shred the chicken.
Serve with tortilla strips and your choice of toppings.

What to serve with chicken tortilla soup

This soup is hearty enough to make a meal of it on its own but would also be delicious with a simple salad with lettuce, avocado, and tomato. When it comes to toppings to serve with the soup, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few favorites:

tortilla strips (of course!)
diced avocado
guacamole
sour cream
pico de gallo
salsa verde
shredded cheese
black olives
diced jalapeño
green chilis
cotija cheese
green onion
cilantro

close up of large spoon with chicken tortilla soup

FAQs

Can I freeze chicken tortilla soup?

Yes, this soup freezes very well. Store up to 3 months in an airtight container large enough to allow for the soup to expand as it freezes. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. (Large amounts of soup may take 2 days to thaw.)

How to reheat this soup

The best way to reheat this soup recipe is on the stovetop over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. If you need to reheat in the microwave, I recommend doing so at 50% power to prevent the chicken from turning out tough.

Tips for best results

Tailor the taste to your family! Feel free to add more of any of the spices listed to make it perfect for you!
Don’t substitute water for broth, even in a pinch. The broth is necessary to keep this soup flavorful.
Its perfectly fine to use chicken drumstick or thighs for this recipe, just be sure to remove the skin and bones thoroughly.

spoonful of chicken tortilla soup close up

You might also like these Mexican dishes:

If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!