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Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

reasons to make slow cooker chicken tortilla soup

  • Dump-and-go slow cooker dinner. This is just one of those super easy slow cooker soup recipes that makes itself. With hands-free cooking, there is simply no sautéing, no nothing here. Throw everything into the crockpot to cook low and slow, letting all the flavors develop, meld and deepen to the most flavorful chicken tortilla soup.
  • Large batch cooking. With its large serving size, this is a great soup recipe for big family get togethers or for freezing leftovers for up to 2 months.
  • Versatile recipe. Chicken tortilla soup is such a wonderfully versatile recipe for the entire family to enjoy, adding in different toppings to taste, swapping out the chicken to make it vegetarian, or making it creamier and spicier.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

what is chicken tortilla soup

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican tomato-based soup dish made with shredded chicken and various spices such as cumin, chili powder and oregano, topped with tortilla strips for an added crunch.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

tips and tricks for success

  • Use good-quality stock. The better quality your stock, the better your soup. Many brands love to pack in the salt so always opt for unsalted or a lower-sodium variety. Homemade stock is even better.
  • Use bone-in chicken. While boneless, skinless chicken can certainly be used, bone-in chicken will add a ton more flavor and richness to the soup while keeping the meat tender.
  • Make it vegetarian. Omit the chicken, add an extra can of black beans, and swap out the chicken stock for vegetable stock.
  • Mix it up. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream for a creamier soup, 1 diced jalapeno for a kick of heat, or swap out the diced tomatoes and green chilies for diced tomatoes only for milder flavors.
  • Add your favorite toppings. Avocado, shredded Mexican blend cheese, cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, crispy tortilla strips (or crushed tortilla chips when you’re in a pinch) are all great options.

pro tip

Prep the crispy tortilla strips while the soup cooks.

While the soup is cooking in the slow cooker, save time by prepping and cooking the tortilla strips. Homemade tortilla strips can keep up to 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

freezing and storage

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating

Reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Freezing

Let cool completely; portion into plastic freezer bags in individual servings, squeezing out any excess air before sealing. Lay the bags flat in a single layer in the freezer (this will help them freeze quickly). Label, date and freeze up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, reheating over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup - Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!

what to serve with chicken tortilla soup

Tools For This Recipe

6-qt slow cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken breasts can absolutely be used here but chicken thighs have more dark meat and a higher fat content which will yield juicier, more flavorful chicken.

What is chipotle pepper in adobo sauce?

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are smoked and dried jalapeno peppers that are rehydrated and canned, adding sweet, smoky flavors with a little bit of heat.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

No crockpot, no problem! We have a stovetop recipe for you here.

Is this freezer-friendly?

Yes! Chicken tortilla soup freezes beautifully (without the toppings) for up to 2 months, ideal for future cozy soup dinners for weeks and months to come.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Yield: 8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 20 minutes
Restaurant-quality with so much flavor! No sautéing, no babysitting here with 5 min prep. Set and forget!
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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • ½ large sweet onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

for serving

Equipment

Instructions

  • Place chicken into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in onion, bell pepper, garlic, chicken stock, tomato puree, black beans, diced tomatoes, chipotle pepper, chili powder, oregano, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. Remove chicken and let cool before dicing into bite-size pieces, discarding bones.
  • Stir in chicken, lime juice and cilantro into the slow cooker; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately with desired toppings.

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