Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that brings warmth to your home and your heart. This easy-to-make soup combines tender chicken, black beans, corn, and vibrant spices, creating a delicious meal that cooks low and slow in the convenience of your crockpot. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a cozy gathering, this flavorful dish is sure to satisfy everyone at your table.
Why We Love This Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
You will quickly realize why this Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup has garnered a loyal following in kitchens everywhere. It’s not just about the tantalizing flavors but also the simplicity and convenience it offers. Just toss in your ingredients and let the magic happen! The chicken becomes tender and infused with spices, while the beans and corn add a touch of sweetness and heartiness. This soup is incredibly versatile, perfect for any occasion, and is a fantastic way to use up pantry staples. Plus, it makes your home smell incredible as it simmers all day long, creating an inviting atmosphere in any home.
Ingredients about Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
To create your delicious Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup tortilla strips, for serving
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
- Lime wedges, for serving (optional)
You may find that most, if not all, of these ingredients are already in your kitchen, making it a fantastic last-minute meal option!
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Directions
Making Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a straightforward task that takes minimal effort. Here’s how you can do it in just a few simple steps:
- Start by prepping your ingredients. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. This will help distribute their flavors evenly throughout the soup.
- In your crockpot, layer in the raw chicken breasts on the bottom, ensuring they are spread out to allow even cooking.
- Next, add the black beans, drained corn, diced tomatoes (with their juice) and diced green chilies over the chicken. You can just dump them in—there’s no need to mix yet!
- Now, sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the top. These spices are what will give the soup its incredible depth of flavor.
- Pour the chicken broth over everything, ensuring it covers the mixture and submerges the chicken slightly for proper cooking.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors meld together.
- When cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This shredding process helps to distribute the chicken throughout the soup, making every bite flavorful.
- Return the shredded chicken back into the soup, stirring it gently to combine everything well.
- Now your delicious soup is ready to serve! Ladle it into bowls and top with tortilla strips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for an added zing.
Make sure to serve it warm to enjoy all the delicious flavors!
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serving Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delightful experience that you and your guests will enjoy. First, grab some bowls and fill them with the piping hot soup. Here’s how to elevate your serving game:
- Toppings Galore: Provide a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their bowls to their liking. Set out tortilla strips for a crunch, diced avocado for creaminess, and shredded cheese for that melty goodness. Fresh cilantro and lime wedges also add vibrant notes that brighten the dish.
- Pair with Sides: Consider serving the soup with warm tortillas or crusty bread on the side. They are perfect for dipping and rounding out the meal. You can also serve it alongside a fresh salad to add a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
- Perfect for Gatherings: This soup is ideal for parties or family dinners. You can keep it warm in your crockpot and let guests serve themselves. It’s low-maintenance, and everyone loves a good soup, especially when they can garnish it just the way they like!
- Storage Options: If there’s any leftover soup, simply store it in airtight containers in the fridge. The flavors only get better the next day after storing, making it an excellent option for meal prep or easy lunches.
By providing good serving choices, you will surely impress your family or friends with this delightful and comforting dish!
Expert Tips: Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
To make your Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup even better, consider these handy expert tips:
- Use Quality Chicken: For the best flavor, opt for fresh, quality boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you have leftovers from a rotisserie chicken, you can use that as well for an even faster preparation.
- Experiment with Spice: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste preferences. If you love heat, try adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference: Fresh herbs and ingredients can elevate your soup’s flavor. If you can, use fresh garlic and onion instead of powdered versions for a more robust taste.
- Don’t Skimp on the Broth: Ensure you have enough chicken broth to cover the ingredients. This will promote proper cooking and create a deeply flavored broth.
- Garnish Generously: The toppings can make or break your soup experience. Be generous with garnishes like cilantro and lime—these will brighten up each serving and enhance the overall flavor profile!
With these expert tips, you can refine your approach and make this recipe your own. You’ll become the go-to chef among your friends and family for scrumptious soups!
How to Store Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Storing your Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is easy, and knowing how to do so properly ensures that it tastes just as amazing the next day! Follow these steps for optimal storage:
- Cool Completely: Before storing, let the soup cool down to room temperature. Avoid putting hot food directly into the refrigerator as it can raise the temperature inside, potentially risking food safety.
- Portion It Out: For convenience, consider portioning the soup into individual airtight containers. This will make it easier to heat up just what you need, whether for lunch or a quick dinner.
- Refrigerate or Freeze:
- Refrigerator: The soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: If you want to keep it longer, transfer the soup to freezer-safe containers, keeping it for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave some space at the top of the containers since the soup will expand as it freezes.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, simply thaw if frozen and reheat on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also use a microwave for quick reheating.
By storing it properly, you can enjoy your delightful soup for days to come!
Variation of Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
One of the fantastic aspects of Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is its versatility. You can easily create variations to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian option, skip the chicken and replace it with either plant-based chicken substitutes or increase the amount of beans and corn. Consider adding diced zucchini or bell peppers for added texture.
- Spicy Twist: If you enjoy spicy dishes, incorporate diced jalapeños or a splash of your favorite hot sauce for a fiery kick. Adjust the spices accordingly to balance the heat.
- Creamy Addition: If you like a creamier soup, stir in some cream cheese or heavy cream towards the end of the cooking process. This will add richness and make for a delightful, velvety broth.
- Different Proteins: Feel free to experiment with other proteins such as turkey or even shredded beef. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly based on the type of meat you choose.
- Add More Veggies: You can also add carrots, celery, or any other vegetables you have on hand. This not only adds nutritional value but also increases the volume of the soup without much additional effort.
This recipe is flexible enough to allow you to explore and create your own variations, making it a staple dish in your recipe repertoire!
FAQ
What is Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a flavorful and hearty soup made by cooking chicken breasts with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and a blend of spices in a slow cooker. It is typically served hot, topped with tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, cilantro, and lime.
How long does it take to cook Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Cooking time varies based on your setting; it takes around 6 hours on low heat or about 3 hours on high heat in a crockpot.
Can I use frozen chicken in my Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your soup. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
How can I thicken my Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the beans or add a cornstarch slurry (mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water) towards the end of the cooking process to thicken the soup.
Can I make Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup keeps well in the refrigerator, allowing you to prepare it in advance. Simply store it and reheat when you’re ready to serve.
Explore the delightful world of Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup, make it your own, and enjoy the comfort it brings to your dining table!
Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts Use quality and fresh chicken for best flavor.
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 medium onion, diced For flavor distribution.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic preferable for a robust taste.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cups chicken broth Ensures sufficient liquid for cooking.
- to taste salt Adjust according to preference.
- to taste pepper Adjust according to preference.
Toppings
- 1 cup tortilla strips For serving.
- 1 medium avocado, diced Optional topping.
- 1 cup shredded cheese Optional topping.
- fresh to taste cilantro, for garnish Optional garnish.
- 1 lime wedges, for serving Optional for added zing.
Instructions
Preparation
- Prep all ingredients by dicing the onion and mincing the garlic.
Cooking
- Layer the raw chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Add the black beans, drained corn, diced tomatoes, and diced green chilies over the chicken without mixing.
- Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture.
- Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring the chicken is slight submerged.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
- Once cooking time is completed, remove chicken and shred using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the soup and stir to combine.
- Serve hot, topped with tortilla strips, avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, and lime.
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