Name: Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h 15 min
Total time: 8 h 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 packet taco seasoning; ½ teaspoon chili powder; 1 medium onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 15.25 ounce can corn, undrained; 10 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles (Rotel), undrained; 14.5 ounce can chicken broth; 1 cup water; 10 ounce can enchilada sauce; Shredded cheese, as desired; Crunchy tortilla strips, as desired

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 67 reviews

If you have a craving for a meal that feels like a warm, comforting hug, then you’re going to love this Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe. It’s packed with bold flavors from tender chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, and just the right touch of spices, all slowly simmered to perfection. This soup is simple to make, yet it offers a richness and depth that feels far more special than your average weeknight supper. Perfect for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd, this recipe gives you a bowlful of happiness with every spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a black slow cooker filled with a thick red sauce with chunks of shredded light tan meat in the center, all resting on a white marbled surface with a yellow striped cloth partially under the slow cooker. The sauce looks rich and slightly shiny with small visible pieces of tomatoes or spices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity — each ingredient plays a crucial role in balancing flavors, textures, and colors. From the hearty chicken breasts to the vibrant diced tomatoes with green chiles, these staples come together to create a soup that’s anything but ordinary.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts: This provides the tender protein base that soaks up all those delicious flavors.
Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every other ingredient.
1 medium onion, finely diced: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the soup with a rich, aromatic punch.
14.5 ounce can chicken broth: The savory foundation that brings everything together.
1 cup water: Helps balance the soup’s consistency, giving it just the right thickness.
15.25 ounce can corn, undrained: Adds bursts of sweetness and texture.
10 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles (Rotel), undrained: Brings zesty heat and vibrant color.
10 ounce can enchilada sauce: A secret weapon for rich, smoky flavor.
1 packet taco seasoning: Introduces layers of spice and Mexican-inspired seasoning magic.
½ teaspoon chili powder: Just enough heat to keep things interesting without overpowering the dish.
Shredded cheese: For a melty, creamy topping that contrasts perfectly with the crunch.
Crunchy tortilla strips: Adds that essential crunch and tortilla flavor that rounds off the dish.

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by placing the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. This ensures they soak up all the tasty juices while cooking low and slow. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper — this little step makes all the difference for flavor.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Add the diced onion and minced garlic right on top of the chicken. These aromatics will soften and mellow, adding a beautiful depth to the broth as the soup simmers. They’re the subtle heroes of the soup’s foundation.

Step 3: Add Liquids and Vegetables

Pour in the chicken broth and water, which form the flavorful, comforting base of the soup. Next, stir in the corn (don’t drain it!) along with the diced tomatoes and green chiles. The liquid from these cans creates pockets of zest and sweetness throughout your soup.

Step 4: Season and Stir

Sprinkle the taco seasoning and chili powder over the mixture, then add the enchilada sauce for a smoky, saucy richness. Give everything a good stir to evenly distribute all those spices and sauces. This is where the magic really starts.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the pot and cook on low for about 8 to 10 hours. This slow cooking allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, while the chicken becomes deliciously tender and easy to shred.

Step 6: Shred the Chicken

About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot. Using two forks, shred the meat — it should fall apart effortlessly. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir it back into the soup.

Step 7: Final Simmer and Serve

Let the soup cook for an additional 15 minutes to let the shredded chicken soak in the flavors. Then, ladle into bowls and get ready to top it off with your favorite garnishes.

How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Two white bowls filled with a reddish-orange soup are placed on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth underneath. Each bowl shows a thick layer of soup containing shredded white strips and small pieces of yellow corn, with crispy light brown tortilla strips on top. A few fresh green cilantro leaves sit on the tortilla strips as garnish. In the background, there is a bunch of fresh green cilantro leaves adding a vibrant touch to the scene. Two silver spoons rest beside the bowls on the beige cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The best part of this soup is personalizing your bowl. Pile on shredded cheese so it melts slightly on the hot soup, then sprinkle crunchy tortilla strips on top for irresistible texture. Consider adding sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor and creaminess.

Side Dishes

Keep things simple by serving this soup with warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips to scoop every last drop. A fresh green salad lightly dressed with lime vinaigrette pairs beautifully and brightens the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, set out a toppings bar with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, diced jalapeños, and lime wedges so everyone can customize their bowls. Serve the soup in rustic bowls with a side of lime wedges for squeezing. This makes it perfect for casual get-togethers or cozy family dinners.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This soup keeps incredibly well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making reheated portions even more delicious.

Freezing

You can freeze Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe without a hitch — just cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It will stay good for up to 3 months, so you’ve got an easy, comforting meal ready whenever you need it.

Reheating

Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. Stir occasionally to keep the ingredients evenly mixed. If the soup thickens too much after refrigeration, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs offer a richer flavor and tend to stay moist during long cooking times. Just adjust the seasoning as you prefer.

Is this soup spicy?

The heat level is mild to moderate thanks to the chili powder and green chiles in the tomatoes, but you can easily control the spice by choosing mild or hot Rotel and adjusting chili powder to taste.

Can I make this Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Substitute the chicken with black beans or pinto beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Skip the chicken and enjoy the same bold flavors with a plant-based twist.

Do I need to soak or cook the tortilla strips before adding them?

No soaking needed! Adding crunchy tortilla strips as a garnish right before serving gives you that satisfying crisp texture that pairs perfectly with the soup.

Can this recipe be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop?

Definitely! For Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for about 20 minutes and do a natural release. On the stovetop, simmer everything in a large pot gently for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until chicken is tender.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe is a perfect example of how a few straightforward ingredients, when combined with a little time and love, can turn into an unforgettable meal. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or hosting friends and family, this soup brings warmth and joy to the table. Give it a try — you’ll soon wonder how you ever lived without it!