Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup – Easy, Flavorful & Comforting

If you love bold, zesty flavors and a warm, comforting bowl of soup, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is perfect! It’s hearty, slightly spicy, and packed with tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and a rich tomato broth.

Best of all? The slow cooker does all the work—just toss in the ingredients, set it, and come back to a delicious meal. Top it with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and fresh lime for the ultimate finishing touch!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Dump & Go – Just add everything to the slow cooker and forget about it!
✔ Hearty & Flavorful – Packed with protein, veggies, and bold spices.
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day!
✔ Customizable – Adjust the spice level, toppings, and add-ins to make it your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Soup:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans (drained & rinsed)

• 1 (15 oz) can corn (drained)

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)

• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)

• 1 small onion (chopped)

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon oregano

• 1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh squeezed)

For Toppings:

• Crispy tortilla strips

• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)

• Avocado (sliced or diced)

• Fresh cilantro (chopped)

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt

• Extra lime wedges

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Step 1: Load Up the Slow Cooker

1. Place chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the slow cooker.

2. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, Rotel, onion, garlic, and spices.

3. Pour in chicken broth, stirring everything together.

Step 2: Slow Cook It

• Cover and cook on:

  • LOW for 6-8 hours (best for juicy chicken).

  • HIGH for 3-4 hours (if short on time).

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

1. Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.

2. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup.

3. Add fresh lime juice and mix well.

Step 4: Serve & Add Toppings!

• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and fresh cilantro.

• Serve with extra lime wedges for added freshness.

Tips for the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

✔ Use boneless chicken thighs – They stay juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts.
✔ For extra richness – Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or a scoop of sour cream before serving.
✔ Want more heat? – Add extra chili powder, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce.
✔ Make homemade tortilla strips – Slice corn tortillas, bake or fry until crispy!

Variations & Add-Ins

Make It Creamy 🥑

• Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.

Make It Spicy 🌶

• Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.

Swap the Protein 🍗

• Use shredded rotisserie chicken for an even faster version.

• Try ground turkey, shredded beef, or shrimp instead.

Make It Vegetarian 🌱

• Skip the chicken and add extra beans, zucchini, or bell peppers.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing Leftovers

• Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Stovetop: Warm over medium heat until heated through.

• Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

Freezing

• Freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

• Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
A: Yes! Add shredded rotisserie chicken in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Q: Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
A: Yes! Pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.

Q: What’s the best way to make crispy tortilla strips?
A: Cut corn tortillas into strips, spray with oil, and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until crispy.

Q: Can I add rice or quinoa?
A: Yes! Add ½ cup rice or quinoa during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Q: What sides go well with this soup?
A: Serve with cornbread, a side salad, or cheesy quesadillas.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is bold, hearty, and full of zesty Tex-Mex flavors! It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or cozy family dinners.

Try it out and let me know how you like it! What’s your favorite way to top tortilla soup?

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup – Easy, Flavorful & Comforting

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• Author: Emy

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Description

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is the perfect comfort food, full of tender chicken, spicy tomatoes, and hearty beans—all simmered together in a flavorful broth. Top with crispy tortilla strips and a sprinkle of cheese for a cozy meal that’s sure to please everyone!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Soup:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 tbsp lime juice (optional for extra tang)

For the Toppings:

• 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or homemade tortilla strips

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• Sour cream (optional)

• Lime wedges (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Soup Base:

1. Place the chicken breasts (or thighs), diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, diced onion, and minced garlic into your slow cooker.

2. Add the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.

3. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.

2. Cook the Soup:

1. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

2. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks and stir it back into the soup.

3. Add Lime Juice:

1. Stir in the lime juice for an extra burst of freshness and tang (optional but recommended!).

4. Serve & Enjoy:

1. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and a squeeze of lime if desired.

2. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, spicy goodness of this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup!

Notes

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is a great option for busy nights, packed with flavor and perfect for cozying up with family. Enjoy!

#ChickenTortillaSoup #SlowCookerMeals #ComfortFood #EasySoup #MexicanFlavors

Let’s chat in the comments! 🍲✨