Heartwarming Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Steaming with flavor and packed with hearty ingredients, this slow cooker chicken tortilla soup delivers a delightful meal that warms every corner of your kitchen.

Southwest spices dance through tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, creating a robust blend of comfort and zest.

Each spoonful promises a rich, satisfying experience that turns an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

The slow cooker works its magic, melding complex flavors while you go about your day.

Fragrant herbs and perfectly balanced seasonings infuse every bite with authentic Mexican-inspired goodness.

Crispy tortilla strips add the perfect crunch to this soul-soothing soup.

You’ll want to dive right into this delicious one-pot wonder that’s sure to become a cherished recipe in your meal rotation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Pace Picante Sauce: Adds zesty southwestern kick and provides rich, tangy foundation for the soup.
• Water: Helps create perfect soup consistency and helps ingredients blend smoothly.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates creamy texture and enhances overall savory depth.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs soup's delicious flavors and provides substantial meal.
• Black Beans: Adds protein, fiber, and classic southwestern texture.
• Corn: Brings sweet crunch and nutritional balance to the soup.

• Rotel Tomatoes: Introduces spicy, bright tomato flavor with green chilies.
• Cumin: Delivers warm, earthy southwestern spice profile.
• Hot Sauce: Adds optional heat and complex pepper notes.
• Tortilla Strips: Provides traditional crispy texture and authentic mexican touch.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds rich, tangy dairy element.
• Fresh Cilantro: Brings fresh, herbal brightness to finish the dish.
• Sour Cream: Optional creamy topping that balances spiciness.
• Olives: Optional garnish adding briny, Mediterranean accent.

Tools That Make Slow Cooking Even Easier

• 6-quart slow cooker: Essential for cooking the entire soup recipe, providing ample space and even heat distribution.
• Two forks: Perfect for easily shredding the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately measuring Pace Picante Sauce, water, and other liquid ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and combining the soup mixture thoroughly.
• Sharp knife: Useful for optional garnish preparation like chopping cilantro if needed.

How to Prep and Cook Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Slow Cooker Setup

Grab your trusty slow cooker and get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance. This soup is about to become your new comfort food obsession.

• Flavor Foundation

Toss in picante sauce, chicken soup, tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Sprinkle some cumin and a dash of hot sauce to kick things up a notch. Pour in water and give everything a good mix.

• Chicken Magic

Nestle chicken breasts right into the tasty liquid bath. They’ll soak up all those incredible flavors while slowly cooking to tender perfection.

• Slow and Steady

Let everything simmer on low heat for about 4 hours. Your kitchen will start smelling like a cozy Mexican restaurant.

• Shred and Prepare

Pull those chicken breasts apart with two forks until they’re beautifully shredded. The meat will be so tender it practically falls apart.

• Final Touches

Sprinkle in tortilla strips and a handful of cheddar cheese. Let it mingle for another 15 minutes. Finish with fresh cilantro just before serving.

• Bonus Flair

Top with a dollop of sour cream and a few olives if you’re feeling extra fancy. Enjoy your soup adventure!

Slow Cooker Soup Tips You’ll Appreciate

• Mix up this classic tortilla soup with creative twists that transform your meal.
• Dial down the heat by using mild Pace Picante Sauce or swap hot sauce with a gentler version for sensitive palates.
• Replace chicken breasts with shredded rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based alternatives like black bean crumbles for diverse protein options.
• Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or chopped spinach during the last hour of cooking for extra texture and vitamins.
• Experiment with crispy additions like crushed tortilla chips, jalapeño slices, diced avocado, or crumbled queso fresco to elevate your soup's crunch and flavor profile.

Ways to Serve Chicken Tortilla Soup Right

• Soup Bowl Centerpiece: Create a vibrant presentation by placing the steaming chicken tortilla soup in a large, colorful ceramic bowl surrounded by fresh lime wedges and extra tortilla strips.
• Taco Night Companion: Serve alongside warm, crispy corn tortillas or soft flour tortillas to allow guests to make mini soup-filled tacos or use as dipping tools for extra texture and enjoyment.
• Topping Galore Station: Set up a small buffet of additional toppings like diced avocado, chopped green onions, extra shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and cilantro sprigs, letting everyone customize their soup experience.
• Mexican-Inspired Dinner Pairing: Complement the soup with a simple side of Mexican rice, a refreshing cucumber salad, or crisp green salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty flavors of the tortilla soup.

Soup Storage Tips That Actually Work

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double batch and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover soup in sealed containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify with each passing day.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep enthusiasts who love convenience and delicious make-ahead dinners.
• Reheating Perfection: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water to maintain ideal consistency and prevent drying out.

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken tortilla soup brings hearty comfort to dinner tables with minimal preparation. Robust spices, tender chicken, and crisp toppings create a satisfying meal you can easily enjoy any night of the week.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups canned or frozen corn
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles
• 1 cup Pace Picante Sauce
• 2 (10.5 oz / 298 g) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 ⅓ cups water
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• Sour cream (optional)
• Olives (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine Pace Picante Sauce, cream of chicken soup, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, corn, cumin, hot sauce, and water in a 6-quart slow cooker, whisking to create a robust and harmonious base.
2. Cooking Foundation: Nestle whole chicken breasts into the liquid mixture, ensuring complete submersion, then cover and set slow cooker to LOW temperature for 4 hours, allowing ingredients to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors.
3. Meat Transformation: Extract chicken breasts and meticulously shred using two forks, then reintegrate into the sauce, stirring to distribute the tender meat evenly throughout the liquid.
4. Final Embellishment: Incorporate crispy tortilla strips and sharp cheddar cheese, continuing to cook on LOW for 15 minutes to meld flavors and slightly melt the cheese.
5. Serving Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and optionally top each portion with a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced olives to elevate the soup’s texture and aromatic profile.

Notes

• Optimize Cooking Time: Monitor chicken breasts closely to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain tender and juicy during the 4-hour slow cooking process.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Gently toast cumin in a dry skillet before adding to the slow cooker for a richer, more intense spice profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Perfect Shredding Technique: Allow cooked chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after shredding to absorb maximum sauce flavor and maintain optimal moisture.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust hot sauce quantity to personalize spiciness, keeping in mind that Rotel tomatoes and Pace Picante Sauce already contribute significant zest to the soup.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg