The Easiest Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Comfort arrives with this effortless slow cooker chicken tortilla soup that promises maximum flavor from minimal ingredients.

Hearty bowls packed with tender shredded chicken welcome you to a delightful meal.

Simple pantry staples dance together, creating a rich and warming experience.

Minimal prep means maximum satisfaction when your kitchen fills with enticing aromas.

Mexican-inspired spices blend seamlessly, turning ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners just became incredibly delicious and stress-free.

5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup: Slow Cooker Simplicity

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this soup in minimal time with just five ingredients and three cooking methods, making dinner a breeze after a long day.
• Versatile Cooking Techniques: Choose your preferred method – slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop – allowing flexibility for any kitchen setup or time constraints.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Dump all ingredients together and let the cooking method do the work, creating a rich, satisfying meal with zero complicated prep steps.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Customizable with various toppings and adaptable to different spice preferences, ensuring everyone from kids to adults will enjoy this comforting soup.

Elements of Chicken Tortilla Soup (Slow Cooker)

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that forms the hearty base of the soup, lean and perfect for shredding.

• Salsa, Chicken Broth: Provides rich flavor and liquid base for the soup, salsa adds zesty Mexican-style taste.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers authentic Mexican-inspired spice blend, adds depth and warmth to the soup.

• Tortilla Chips, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese: Classic Mexican soup toppings that add texture, freshness, and extra flavor, can be customized to personal preference.

Slow Cooker Prep for 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup

Step 1: Gather Flavor Powerhouses

Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for maximum taste explosion.

Step 2: Slow Cooker Magic

Toss all ingredients into your slow cooker.

Nestle chicken breasts gently in the middle of the mixture.

Cover and set the slow cooker to low, allowing flavors to dance and mingle for 3-4 hours.

Step 3: Chicken Transformation

When cooking approaches 2-3 hours, carefully remove chicken using tongs.

Using two forks, shred the tender chicken into delectable bite-sized pieces.

Return shredded chicken back into the soup, stirring gently.

Step 4: Final Flavor Fusion

Let the soup continue cooking for another hour, allowing seasonings to fully infuse.

This extra time helps develop rich, deep flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Step 5: Serve With Spectacular Toppings

Ladle steaming soup into bowls.

• Fresh cilantro
• Crispy tortilla strips
• Sour cream
• Sliced avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Lime wedges

Enjoy your comforting, soul-warming chicken tortilla soup!

Smarter Prep For Tortilla Soup

• Elevate the soup's flavor and texture by adding fresh toppings like diced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, or crispy tortilla strips.
• Control the heat by using mild or hot salsa, or adding extra chili powder, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños to suit your taste preferences.
• Enhance the soup's richness by sautéing onions and garlic before adding to the pot, or using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
• Easily adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free salsa and checking broth ingredients. For a low-carb version, reduce or omit tortilla toppings.
• Prepare large batches and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick, convenient meals that last up to 3 months when stored properly.

Making Chicken Tortilla Soup Taste Fresh Later

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm soup over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until heated thoroughly and steaming.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Ideal Matches For Tortilla Soup

• Pair Zesty Margaritas with Soup Flavors: Bright citrus margaritas complement the soup's spicy Mexican profile, cutting through richness and enhancing overall taste experience.
• Crunch Tortilla Chip Companions: Crispy corn tortilla chips add textural contrast, providing satisfying crunch alongside tender chicken and soft soup elements.
• Select Refreshing Garnish Combinations: Top soup with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and tangy lime wedges to elevate flavor complexity and introduce vibrant, fresh notes.
• Match Cool Cerveza Selections: Light Mexican beers like Corona or Modelo perfectly balance the soup's warmth, offering crisp refreshment and authentic regional drinking experience.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Flavor Options

• Vegetarian Bean Soup: Replace chicken with black beans, use vegetable broth, and add extra spices for depth.
• Gluten-Free Version: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, use corn tortilla strips instead of wheat-based options.
• Dairy-Free Protein Boost: Skip cheese toppings, add diced tofu or plant-based protein for extra nutrition.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Use no-salt-added broth, reduce salt content, and enhance flavor with fresh herbs like cilantro and oregano.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need for this chicken tortilla soup?

You’ll need chicken breasts, salsa, chicken broth, canned black beans, and corn. These five simple ingredients create a delicious, hearty soup with minimal effort.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreddable.

• Is this soup spicy?

The spice level depends on the salsa you choose. For a mild soup, use a mild salsa. If you prefer more heat, select a medium or hot salsa. You can always adjust the spiciness by adding hot sauce or choosing a different salsa.

• How do I make this soup more filling?

Top the soup with extras like shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, or chopped cilantro. These toppings add flavor, texture, and make the soup more substantial.

Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken tortilla soup delivers rich, comforting flavors with minimal effort. Quick assembly and simple ingredients create a hearty meal you’ll crave for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (0.45 kg) chicken breast

Canned Ingredients:

• 1 (28 ounces/794 grams) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can black beans, drained and rinsed

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 1 quart (0.95 liters) chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning

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Instructions

1. Layer salsa, chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, black beans, and chicken broth inside the slow cooker vessel, ensuring all components are evenly distributed.
2. Cover and set the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing ingredients to meld together for approximately 3-4 hours until chicken becomes tender and easily shreddable.
3. Carefully extract chicken pieces using tongs, transferring them to a cutting board and utilizing two forks to meticulously shred the meat into bite-sized fragments.
4. Return shredded chicken back into the simmering liquid, gently stirring to integrate and enhance flavor profile.
5. Let the soup continue cooking for an additional 30-45 minutes, permitting seasonings to fully permeate and develop rich, complex taste.
6. Ladle the steaming soup into deep serving bowls, garnishing with crisp tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, creamy avocado slices, tangy sour cream, and sharp shredded cheese.
7. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and enjoying the robust, comforting textures of this hearty southwestern-inspired soup.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts for thighs to enhance flavor and prevent dryness during slow cooking.
• Customize heat levels by choosing mild or spicy salsa, adapting to personal taste preferences.
• Freeze extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals, maintaining soup quality for up to 3 months.
• Boost nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or corn during the last hour of cooking for extra texture and vitamins.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (Crock Pot)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg