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This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, flavour packed dinner that's perfect for busy days. With no pre-cooking required, simply add the ingredients to your slow cooker and let it do the work.
I often think of the slow cooker as a parent's best friend. On busy days, knowing dinner is already taken care of can make the evening feel so much less stressful.
When developing this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, I tested whether sautéing the vegetables first was worth the extra effort. While it added a little extra flavour, I didn't think the difference justified the extra time and dishes. This version keeps things simple: add the ingredients to the slow cooker, let it do the work, and finish with your favourite toppings before serving.
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- No pre-cooking required - skip the browning and sautéing and let the slow cooker do the work.
- Family-friendly - everyone can customise their bowl with their favourite toppings.
- A complete meal - packed with chicken, beans, vegetables, and flavourful toppings for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredient Information (with alternative suggestions)
- Chicken: I usually make this soup with chicken breast, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well and stay slightly juicier during cooking.
- Spices: Cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano give this soup its signature flavor. If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika can be used instead.
- Black beans: These add fiber, protein, and texture to the soup. You can swap them for kidney beans or pinto beans if preferred.
- Corn: Fresh, frozen, or canned corn all work well in this recipe.
- Chicken stock: Use a good-quality stock or chicken broth for the best flavor. If cooking for babies or toddlers, choose a low-sodium variety.
- Toppings: The toppings really bring this soup to life. Crispy tortilla strips, grated cheese, avocado, sour cream, and fresh cilantro are all great options. Set everything out family-style and let everyone customise their own bowl.
Step-by-Step Instructions (with Images)
- Add all ingredients to slow cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours and high for 3-4 hours
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from slow cooker and shred using 2 forks. Add back into the soup.
- Prepare Tortilla Strips: Slice the tortilla wraps into thin strips, spray with oil and bake until crisp.
- Finish and Serve: Stir through lime juice and cilantro (coriander). Serve with toppings of choice.
Serving Suggestions
For me, Chicken Tortilla Soup is all about the toppings. They're what transform a simple soup into a fun, interactive meal that the whole family can enjoy.
I love serving this soup family-style, with bowls of toppings placed in the center of the table. Everyone can customize their own bowl, adding as much or as little as they like. Giving children some ownership over their meal can make dinnertime feel more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Some of our favorite toppings include:
- Crispy tortilla strips
- Diced avocado
- Grated cheese
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro (coriander)
Don't worry if your child isn't keen on every ingredient in the soup. They may choose to focus on the chicken and toppings while leaving some of the beans or corn behind, and that's okay. Repeated, pressure-free exposure helps children become familiar with new foods over time.
In our house, the more toppings, the better!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the soup to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until piping hot.
- Meal Prep: To get ahead, add the chicken, vegetables, beans, tomatoes, seasonings, and broth to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook as directed.
Top Tips
- Use good-quality chicken stock or broth for the best flavour.
- If you have a little extra time, sauté the onion, bell peppers, and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker for added depth of flavour.
- Set up a toppings bar and let everyone customize their own bowl. This is often a big hit with kids.
- For a smoother texture, you can blend the soup, before adding back in the shredded chicken.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes...
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Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Soup base
- 700g (1½lb) chicken breast (SEE NOTE 1)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper (capsicum), finely chopped
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 1 litre (4 cups) chicken stock (or broth) (SEE NOTE 2)
- 1 can (400g) black beans, (drained) (SEE NOTE 3)
- 120g (1 cup) frozen corn
Finishing / toppings
- 1 lime, juice of
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (coriander) chopped
- 2 tortilla wraps
- Toppings of Choice (SEE NOTE 4)
Instructions
Soup
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the cumin, smoked paprika, and the dried oregano.
- Add the garlic, onion, capsicum (pepper), tomatoes, chicken stock, black beans and corn. Stir to combine and place the lid on.
- Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 7 hours.
- Remove the chicken and shred using two forks. (SEE NOTE 5)
- Add the chicken back into the slow cooker, along with the lime juice and cilantro.
Tortilla Strips
- Pre heat oven to 180c (350F) and line a baking tray with baking paper or brush with oil.
- Brush each tortilla lightly with oil and slice into strips.Arrange the strips on the tray and bake for approx 8-12 mins, until the strips are crisp and golden.Allow to cool, in the tray, before serving.
Recipe Notes
- I used breast meat but if you prefer you can replace the breast meat with thigh meat or even use a combination of both. Use skinless.
- For babies and young children, you want to watch the sodium levels. Use a homemade stock or low sodium stock/broth.
- You can replace the black beans with a different bean if you prefer. We often use red kidney beans.
- Topping suggestions (in addition to the tortilla strips) include avocado, grated cheese, sour cream, extra lime & coriander
- If your children prefer smooth soups then blend at this stage. You want to make sure the chicken is removed before blending.
- The tortilla strips can be made in advance or replaced with tortilla chips.
N Taylor
This was so easy. Everyone raved about it and asked for the recipe. It will be pinned to my "Tried and True" recipes. Can't wait to try more of your recipes! Thank yoU!
Amy Whiteford
Thank you, I'm so happy to read this!
Linda
Thank you for another tasty recipe ! I love that there is no pre-cooking, Just toss it all in the slow cooker 🙂 I used chicken thighs and it turned out so tender, and the avocado and toasted wrap strips on the top was so delicious with this soup- a must ! Thank you
Amy
Thanks Linda, I'm so happy you enjoyed this. No pre-cook slow cooker recipes are so handy!
Bernadette
This soup is seriously yummy Amy! And super easy to make. Thanks for this delicious recipe x
Amy
Thanks Bernadette! So happy you like it 🙂
Rose
Hallo Amy,
Could you pls tell me how to make tortila strips?
Thank you.
Amy
Hi Rose, the instructions are in the recipe (right under the instructions for the soup) Here they are
Pre heat oven to 180c (350F) and line a baking tray with baking paper or brush with oil.
Brush each tortilla lightly with oil and slice into strips.
Arrange the strips on the tray and bake for approx 8-12 mins, until the strips are crisp and golden.
Allow to cool, in the tray, before serving.
Enjoy 🙂
Jessica
Did you use frozen or thawed chicken?
Amy
Hi Jessica, it was fresh chicken 🙂
Baxter@Foodtalko
This looks sooooo good! So many wonderful flavors going on in here! I can’t wait make it for family.
Amy
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Ariasmith
It’s looking very yummy with great combination of ingredients!!! It will be helpful to get out refresh for this weather!! Love this sharing so much, thank you!
Amy
Thank you! Yes, lots of delicious flavours going on in here!
Lauren
I made this straight after receiving your email. I absolutely love your chicken noodle soup so knew I had to try it. Another big success and one we will be making often. Thank you so much for all your recipes.
Amy
Thanks Lauren! So happy you are enjoying the recipes, the slow cooker soup recipes are easy and my family love them too!