I will forever love me some Crock Pot soups… am I right? I mean being able to place all the ingredients in the Crock Pot, walk away and then come back with the most delicious soup. You cannot go wrong with that in my book. One of the things however, is that I feel like a lot of Crock Pot Soup recipes can be just OKAY. I might get a lot of arguments here, but you have to really master the spices in a Crock Pot Soup or it will just be mediocre. In my opinion we cannot have mediocre soup either! So that is where this Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup comes in. It is MORE than mediocre, it is delicious! Let’s get started!
Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup Ingredients
One of the many things I love about this Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup is that the ingredients are super simple. I mean SUPER simple. Also you can use rotisserie chicken or you can throw raw boneless skinless chicken breasts in it as well and call it perfect. Whatever works best for you!
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts OR 2-3 cups of rotisserie chicken. I recommend doing 2 if you like less chicken in your tortilla soups
- 1 15oz can of spicy black beans
- 1 taco seasoning packet
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies ( I love Red Gold)
- 1 jalapeño deseeded and chopped finely
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic minced
At the end of the soup cooking
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 lime
- Optional tortilla strips, cilantro, cheese, tomatoes & sour cream
What Makes this Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup… So Easy??
First of all it is a Crock Pot recipe which means this recipe is on its way to being easy already! However, this one is also a recipe that you can easily by rotisserie chicken for, use leftover chicken & shred it or use raw chicken breasts as well. I love using our favorite taco seasoning packet in it as well, because it not only is EASY, but it provides the perfect power of spice! Also only 2 things you have to chop, that is it!
Tips when making Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup
- If you are adding whole chicken breasts in, once it has heated for 4 hours on low, make sure you take it out to shred it. You will want to let it rest for 5 minutes. Then shred with 2 forks, or my favorite way is to shred the chicken low in a Kitchen Aid mixer. After you will add it back in with the corn and lime juice. Stir until well combined. Can leave on warm until ready to serve, or start serving with delicious tortilla strips, cilantro, sour cream, tomatoes– whatever you want to top it!
- Sautéing the onions, garlic and jalapeños before adding them into the crock pot is key to the flavor. I know it might be “one” extra step. However, this one extra step to an easy recipe brings out the flavors so much more, which you want in a scrumptious soup.
- There is not much prep you need to do for this recipe, however if you are wanting to mince the garlic, chop the onion or jalapeño a head of time that would be all you need to do so you can quickly sauté the next day. Which can be very helpful! Any little bit of help counts!
- You might think adding a taco seasoning packet is a cop out, but it sure is not! It makes this so easy to add in the right amount and you don’t have to worry about measuring out all the spices. Such a win, win!
Is it EASY to make Homemade Tortilla Strips for this Easy Crock Pot Soup?
One of Ainsley’s favorite part of this soup, is the tortilla strips. I mean can you blame her? In my opinion having tortilla strips is key to adding that final “pièces de résistance” as the French so elegantly put it. Since this soup does not require much work, I don’t have a problem making these easy tortilla strips. However, you can also buy them at the store as well. Let me walk you through though just how easy it is to make your own!
How to make Easy Homemade Tortilla Strips
Uncooked Tortillas and Already Cooked Tortillas: I have a favorite uncooked tortilla from Costco that we get all the time, so a lot of times I will use these. The only difference between making them with cooked vs. uncooked tortillas is that the time to cook them will just take longer. Other than that, it is the same process.
- Take your tortilla and with kitchen scissors cut into strips. I normally will cut them long ways and cut those long strips into two.
- Then spray your frying pan with olive oil. Place your strips into the frying pan. Sprinkle with salt & chili powder.
- Continue to cook for 2 minutes per side before flipping them over. Adding more salt & chili powder to the side that did not have any yet. Cook for two more minutes. Then flip over again.
- Keep cooking them like above until they get nice and crispy the way you prefer them
- Store in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to a week on the counter top.
What Tools Do I Need for the Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup
Crock Pot:
I know it does not come as a surprise that on the tool list is a crock pot, for a crock pot soup 🙂 My favorite is the Digital Crock Pot 6 qt that has lid clamps for easy portability as well. You can shop it here!
Kitchen Scissors:
I love having kitchen scissors for so many things in the kitchen, but these are so helpful for creating the tortilla strips. Yes knives work, but a lot of times they tear the tortillas. Having kitchen shears is very helpful.
Garlic Press:
There was a period of two weeks where my garlic press was broken and I kept forgetting to buy another one whenever I went to Target. Does that happen to anyone lol? Well I had to press down with my knife and finely chop…… no. Garlic press is a must!
Kitchen Aid or 2 Forks:
When shredding your chicken for this recipe if you are not using rotisserie chicken– you are going to need to shred your chicken. Yes two forks work well, however shredding it in your Kitchen Aid is truly the best hack. It makes the process so uniform, easy and no burning your hands on hot chicken!
Taco Seasoning:
Do not skip on adding in taco seasoning pack. This makes the recipe sooooo easy. My favorite taco seasoning for this recipe is Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix Original 1 oz
What to Serve with Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup
A lot of times when I eat soup, I am good with not having a side. However, there are times where I a extra hungry and my family wants a side as well. That is why these 4 would be great with your Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup, if you are wanting that side!
Salad:
A nice hearty salad is always a great option, however since this soup is so hearty itself I would stick with a simple salad like this one, that would pair perfect with it but without the chicken.
Corn Bread:
This is one of Ainsley’s favorite sides. Corn bread is so great with chili, but also pairs perfectly with Chicken Tortilla Soup as well.
Roasted Veggies:
Any recipe pairs well with roasted veggies right? Sauté some yummy zucchini or squash, roast some asparagus. Whatever veggie is your favorite! We also boil corn on the cob. Yes there is corn in the soup, but it just fits so well with the chicken tortilla vibe, plus we love corn!
French Baguette
Can never say no to warm crusty bread with butter. End of story!
Potatoes:
Roasting potatoes, air frying potatoes, making smasher potatoes… anything potatoes is yet again another thing I cannot say no to, especially as a side.
What Other HGHF Crock Pot Recipes Should I Make?
Gluten Free Crock Pot Potato Soup
The Best Crock Pot Chuck Roast
Easy Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Easy Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
Easy Crock Pot Chili Dog Casserole
Common Questions I Get When Making Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup
Is Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup gluten free?
Yes, this recipe is gluten free. Depending on the tortillas you use, if you are gluten free, choose your favorite gluten free tortilla to make the strips with
Is s Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup dairy free?
It is! We love to add sour cream, and cheese on top but you can add whatever on the top that works best for you
Can I use Rotisserie Chicken in this Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup?
Yes, on the recipe I tell you how much rotisserie chicken to use as well as boneless skinless chicken breasts. Whatever works for you!
What is the best way to store this soup?
Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze the Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup?
Yes! You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months in a freezer friendly container
Do you have a recipe for tortilla strips?
Yes! If you look above I walk you through how easy it is to make your own. Enjoy!
Easy and Healthy Chicken Tortilla Crock Pot Soup
Ingredients
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts OR 2-3 cups of rotisserie chicken. I recommend doing 2 if you like less chicken in your tortilla soups
- 15 oz can of spicy black beans
- 1 oz taco seasoning packet
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 oz Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies I love Red Gold
- 1 jalapeño deseeded and chopped finely
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic minced
At the end of the soup cooking
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 lime juiced
Optional
- tortilla strips ( see above for directions), cilantro, cheese, tomatoes & sour cream
Instructions
- Add 1 tbsp of olive oil, jalapeño deseeded & chopped, onion & 2 garlic cloves minced. Sauté for 5 minutes on medium
- Place the onion, jalapeño & garlic mixture at the bottom of the crock pot
- Next add in your drained spicey black beans
- After you will add in the Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (not drained) and the other 2 cloves garlic minced
- Then, add in your chicken broth, taco seasoning ( mix well) then add in your chicken and heat on low for 4 hours.
- Next add in frozen corn, juice of 1 lime and stir well. Add salt to taste
- Take out chicken breasts to rest if you need to street. While resting add 1 1/2 cups soup to blender & blend, then add back in to give it a thicker consistency. Add back in shredded chicken.
- Divide out into soup bowls, top with cilantro, tortilla strips avocado or whatever you prefer and enjoy!
- (remember easy homemade tortilla strip instructions are above)
Another great recipe. Seriously, this one is so easy to throw together. She is on point with the sautéing of the onion, garlic, and jalapeño adding a ton of flavor. I threw this recipe together in 10 minutes during lunch and it was ready for dinner with leftovers for lunch the rest of the week. I highly recommend this very flavorful recipe for a quick weekday meal.
Ah yay!!! Nothing is better than having other meals for lunches for the week right?? Thanks so much for trusting me with your meals for the week, I am so glad you love them!!