Hi, I’m Elena, and this chicken tortilla soup rides shotgun in my slow cooker on busy days. I toss everything in, head out, and return to a bright, tomato rich bowl that smells like I actually planned dinner. We dig in, and the lime wakes up the broth while the chicken stays tender. Crunchy tortilla on top seals the deal. You asked for cozy and simple. This easy chicken tortilla soup recipe brings that comfort with low effort. I lean on pantry stars, then add fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. The pot hums, the house warms, and I steal a spoonful. That first taste tells me I’m set. We call friends, set bowls, and let the toppings party begin. Got a slow cooker and a few basics. You’re ready. I even tried slow cooker chicken drumsticks one night, and it worked. So try swaps, too. This soup fits chicken slow cooker recipes easy lists, buddies up with tortilla recipes, and scratches the itch for a recipe with tortilla. Simple pot, big reward, no stress.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 4) How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 6) Making Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Soup
- 8) Try these Main Course next!
- 9) Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Elena from Elena Cooks at www.elenacooks.com. I make soup when life runs fast. Chicken tortilla soup keeps pace with a busy day and still tastes like care. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting. The kitchen smells bright and warm. Dinner lands on the table with calm energy.
The first spoon gives clean tomato flavor and tender chicken. Lime wakes the broth. Crunchy tortilla adds snap. Friends reach for seconds. I smile and toss more cilantro on top. We chat and eat. No one asks for takeout.
You need pantry staples and a few fresh bits. The method stays simple and steady. You can swap in similar parts and the soup still works. I test this recipe often and listen to feedback from readers. We tweak little things and keep what matters. Comfort in a bowl. Peace in the schedule.
2) Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Chicken tortilla soup shows up twice here for good reason since this chicken tortilla soup brings warm flavor with little fuss. I load the pot in the morning and by dinner the house smells like I cooked all day. The slow simmer builds body. The toppings add crunch and cool. My family thinks I fussed. I did not. I just planned well and used one pot.
I wrote this recipe with clear steps that fit a regular weeknight. You stir, you cover, you walk away. I like how tortilla chips soften into the broth and give a light thickness. I love how lime and cilantro keep the soup lively. If you crave heat, toss in a small jalapeño. If you want a richer bite, add a spoon of sour cream when you serve.
This easy chicken tortilla soup recipe welcomes change. I have made a slow cooker tortilla soup with chicken thighs. I have tried drumsticks on busy nights and it worked fine. The recipe lands in the group of chicken slow cooker recipes easy to follow. It belongs with tortilla recipes that feel friendly and it checks the box for a recipe with tortilla that still tastes fresh.
3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Boneless skinless chicken I use breasts for a lean base. The meat shreds soft after a slow cook. Thighs give more richness and also shred well. Use what you have and what you like.
Onion A diced onion brings sweet notes as it softens. It melts into the broth and rounds the edges of tomato and spice. I start it in a small skillet for a minute to jump start flavor.
Garlic Fresh cloves turn the broth fragrant. I mince them so the flavor spreads fast. The smell makes everyone hover by the kitchen doorway and ask when dinner lands.
Diced tomatoes with juice A can gives brightness and body. The juice adds depth without extra work. I keep a few cans on hand for quick soup plans.
Low sodium chicken broth Four cups give you a cozy base. Salt levels stay easy to manage. Taste near the end and season to your liking.
Black beans Rinsed beans add creaminess and make the bowl feel full. They hold their shape through the long cook and bring mellow flavor.
Corn kernels Sweet pops that play well with chili and lime. Fresh works. Frozen works. Canned works. Pick the path that fits the day.
Cumin and chili powder Warm spice without burn. They steer the flavor toward tortilla chicken soup and keep the profile balanced and friendly.
Salt and black pepper Simple seasonings that help everything shine. Add a little at the start. Taste and adjust at the end. Small moves make big shifts.
Lime Juice at the end brings the broth to life. The aroma hits first then the sip turns bright. Keep an extra lime at the table for the squeeze lovers.
Cilantro A handful of chopped leaves cools the heat and perfumes the bowl. If you do not like cilantro use green onion for a clean finish.
Tortilla strips Crunch on top and body in the broth as some soften. I save a few extra for the last minute so every bowl gets contrast.
Optional toppings Avocado for cream. Sour cream for tang. Cheddar for richness. Jalapeño for heat. Pick a couple and keep it simple.
4) How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Step one Warm a little oil in a skillet. Soften the diced onion until it turns clear. Add minced garlic for one short minute. Move both to the slow cooker so the base starts with aroma and flavor.
Step two Add chicken tomatoes black beans corn broth cumin chili powder salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir once so the spices touch everything. This gives even flavor from the first simmer.
Step three Cover and cook on low for six to eight hours or on high for three to four. The meat should pull apart with two forks. Shred it right in the pot. Stir and taste. Add salt if the broth needs a lift.
Step four Squeeze fresh lime into the pot. Fold in chopped cilantro. Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips. Add avocado or a spoon of sour cream if that makes you happy. Serve hot and share.
Step five For a thicker body crush a few tortilla chips and stir them in during the last half hour. This trick gives a gentle thick feel without flour. It keeps the flavor true to Mexican chicken soup with tortillas.
5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Start with room temp ingredients when you can. The cooker reaches a steady simmer faster. That means juicy meat and a broth that stays clear. Cold parts drag the process and the meat can dry out. Small detail big payoff.
Salt in layers. A pinch at the start gives the base balance. Taste near the end and add a pinch to match your palate. The goal is a broth that tastes bright on its own before toppings join the party. You call the final line.
Think toppings as texture and flavor. Crunch from tortilla strips. Cream from avocado. Heat from jalapeño. Tang from lime. Add two or three. Keep the bowl light and fun. This approach keeps chicken tortilla soup lively from first spoon to last.
6) Making Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Ahead of Time
I like to load the cooker at night then set it in the morning. Dinner is ready when we step back in. The broth waits on warm and the kitchen smells inviting. This plan saves my energy and keeps our evening relaxed.
Hold back the lime and cilantro until serving time. Fresh citrus and herbs keep the flavor bright. Keep tortilla strips in a container so they stay crisp. The base sits happy in the cooker and does not ask for much attention.
If you want to freeze for later cook the soup then cool it fast. Pack in freezer safe containers. Leave room at the top for expansion. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth. Add fresh lime and cilantro. Top with new tortilla strips. Now you have slow cooker tortilla soup with chicken ready on any weeknight.
7) Storing Leftover Soup
Move leftovers into airtight containers once the soup cools. The flavor holds for three days in the fridge. The broth thickens a touch as beans and tortillas rest. That makes a spoon feel rich and cozy the next day.
When you reheat use a pot over medium heat and stir now and then. If the broth feels dense add a splash of water or stock. Taste and squeeze fresh lime to bring the brightness back. Top with crisp tortilla strips for contrast.
For the freezer pack portions for easy lunches. Label the containers so you know the date. I like to stash a small bag of tortilla strips in the pantry so the bowl gets its crunch at the last minute. Simple habits keep soup nights stress free.
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup Slow Cooker Favorite
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lb
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juice
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can 15 oz black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels frozen or canned
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup tortilla strips for serving
- Optional avocado cheddar sour cream jalapeño for topping
Instructions
- Grease the slow cooker with olive oil.
- Sauté the diced onion in a skillet until translucent, then add garlic for about a minute.
- Transfer onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Add chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours until the chicken shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the pot. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning.
- Ladle into bowls and top with tortilla strips, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and any extras you like.
10) Nutrition
One hearty bowl gives steady protein and fiber. Calories sit in a comfortable range for a weeknight dinner. Lime adds vitamin C and the beans add minerals that help you feel full and steady. If you want a lighter bowl skip cheese and add more cilantro. If you want more energy for a busy day add avocado for healthy fat.
For readers who track numbers a typical serving lands near three hundred twenty calories with about twenty five grams of protein and ten grams of fiber. Sodium can shift based on the broth you pick. Use low sodium broth and season to taste. That way the final bowl fits your needs and still tastes bright.
Chicken tortilla soup scales well for families and for meal prep. You can double the batch and freeze portions. The texture stays friendly after thawing when you add fresh lime and crisp tortilla strips at the end. This keeps the comfort and keeps the crunch.
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