Hearty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe: A Fiesta in a Bowl

Spice up your weeknight dinner routine with a mouthwatering chicken taco soup that brings explosive Tex-Mex flavors straight to your table.

This hearty and comforting soup blends tender shredded chicken with zesty seasonings and rich, robust ingredients.

Each spoonful delivers a burst of southwestern charm that dances across your taste buds.

The recipe combines simple pantry staples with fresh garnishes for a truly satisfying meal.

Packed with protein and bold spices, this soup turns an ordinary evening into a fiesta of flavors.

Warm, inviting, and ready in under 30 minutes, you’ll want to add this chicken taco soup to your regular rotation.

Get ready to savor every delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Taco Soup: Ingredient List

• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps sauté onions perfectly.
• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic foundation for the soup's depth.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a hearty liquid base with robust chicken essence.
• Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies: Brings zesty brightness and subtle heat.
• Black Beans: Adds protein-packed texture and earthy undertones.
• Corn: Introduces sweet crunch and vibrant color to the soup.
• Red Bell Pepper: Contributes sweet, crisp flavor and beautiful red hue.

• Chili Powder: Delivers warm, complex spiciness.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses deep, concentrated garlic flavor.
• Ground Cumin: Provides warm, slightly nutty undertones.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky, rich depth to the soup profile.

• Cream Cheese: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and tangy richness.
• Shredded Chicken: Ensures protein-rich, tender meat throughout.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity.

Soup-Making Tools for Taco Soup

• Soup Pot: Large, heavy-bottomed pot for cooking and simmering soup.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise chopping of vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately adding spices and seasonings.
• Can Opener: To open canned ingredients like Ro-tel and beans.
• Cheese Grater (optional): For shredding additional cheese as a topping.

Chicken Taco Soup Instructions

• Kitchen Preparation

Grab a large soup pot and warm up your cooking space with comfort and excitement for a delicious meal.

• Onion Foundation

Drizzle olive oil and dance some chopped onions around the pot, letting them soften and release their sweet aroma over medium-high heat.

• Flavor Explosion

Pour in a vibrant mix of chicken broth, zesty tomatoes, hearty beans, sunny corn, and colorful bell peppers. Sprinkle magical spices that will transform your soup into a fiesta of taste.

• Simmering Magic

Let the pot bubble and whisper, gently simmering to blend all the amazing flavors together while you dream about delicious toppings.

• Creamy Transformation

Invite cream cheese to join the party, breaking it into soft pieces and stirring until it melts into a luxurious, silky texture that hugs every ingredient.

• Chicken Finale

Welcome shredded chicken into the soup, letting it warm and mingle with all the delightful elements. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to make every spoonful sing.

• Serving Joy

Ladle this mouth-watering soup into bowls and crown it with your favorite toppings, ready to transport taste buds to a world of comfort and flavor.

Flavor Tips for Taco Soup

• Add personal flair by swapping protein sources like ground turkey or shredded beef instead of chicken for a different flavor profile.
• Boost heat levels by including diced jalapeños, adding extra chili powder, or incorporating a splash of hot sauce to intensify the soup's warmth and complexity.
• Prepare the entire soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for convenient future meals – flavors will develop even more richly overnight.
• Experiment with diverse garnishes like crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, or a dollop of sour cream to elevate your soup's texture and taste experience.

How to Serve Chicken Taco Soup

• Festive Topping Fiesta: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, crispy tortilla strips, and fresh chopped cilantro on top for a burst of color and crunch that elevates the soup's flavors.
• Creamy Cool Down: Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance the soup's spiciness and create a luxurious, smooth texture that complements the hearty chicken.
• Zesty Lime Finish: Squeeze fresh lime juice over each serving to brighten the flavors and add a tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the soup.
• Avocado Dream: Dice ripe avocados and scatter them on top for a creamy, buttery element that provides a cool contrast to the warm, spicy soup base.

Chicken Taco Soup Storage Instructions

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the soup's rich flavors intact and ready for quick reheating.
• Freezer Batch Preparation: This soup freezes beautifully for 3 months. Separate into individual portions for convenient grab-and-go meals during busy weeks.
• Smart Ingredient Swaps: Customize your soup by substituting rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based protein to match dietary preferences without losing delicious taste profiles.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare soup ingredients in advance, chopping vegetables and measuring spices ahead of time. Refrigerate components separately to streamline cooking and reduce weeknight dinner stress.

Hearty Chicken Taco Soup

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Hearty chicken taco soup delivers Mexican-inspired comfort with bold spices and rich textures. Quick preparation makes this one-pot meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings you can enjoy without complicated cooking skills.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (0.47 l) cooked/rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups (710 ml) chicken broth
• 2 (10 oz/284 g) cans Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies with juices
• 1 (14 oz/397 g) can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 (12 oz/340 g) can corn, drained
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)
• Avocado (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)
• Tortilla strips (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, sizzling diced onions until they turn translucent and release a fragrant aroma, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Flavor Fusion: Add chicken broth, Ro-tel tomatoes, green chilies, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Whisk ingredients together, creating a vibrant, aromatic base that promises a flavor-packed experience.
3. Simmering Symphony: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, allowing the spices to intermingle and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
4. Creamy Transformation: Dice cream cheese into small pieces and gently fold into the simmering soup, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety texture.
5. Final Flourish: Incorporate shredded chicken, stirring gently to ensure even distribution. Continue cooking for 6-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the soup’s robust seasonings. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serving Spectacle: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and crown with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or crispy tortilla strips for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Boost Flavor Depth: Let the soup simmer uncovered to concentrate tastes and allow spices to develop rich, complex undertones.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Cut cream cheese into small chunks and stir constantly to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, creamy integration.
• Chicken Selection Tip: Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken for faster preparation and consistent texture.
• Spice Customization: Adjust chili powder and cumin levels to match personal heat preference without overwhelming the soup’s balanced profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg