Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup loaded with bold spices, tender chicken, and rich broth. A cozy, flavorful favorite made effortlessly.
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional but adds sweetness)
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel; choose mild or hot)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but great for depth)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime (plus extra wedges for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for topping
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, jalapeño, hot sauce
Instructions
- Layer the base: Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the slow cooker. Pour in the black beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, and the tomatoes with green chilies.
- Season it well: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the veggies and beans with the spices.
- Add chicken and broth: Nestle the chicken breasts (or thighs) into the mixture. Pour in the chicken broth so everything is mostly submerged.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir.
- Brighten the flavors: Stir in the lime juice. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
- Serve and top: Ladle into bowls and finish with tortilla strips, cilantro, avocado, cheese, or a dollop of sour cream. Add lime wedges on the side.
