Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup | Easy Slow Cooker Meal

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A cozy, flavorful, and easy-to-make soup that simmers all day in your slow cooker. This recipe combines tender shredded chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, and classic Tex-Mex ingredients for a hearty meal perfect for any night of the week.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

There’s something about letting dinner cook itself that feels like a small victory. This Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is rich, hearty, and layered with warm spices that make your kitchen smell amazing. It’s perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or lazy Sundays. You’ll love how it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. The texture is bold and comforting—soft shredded chicken with just the right amount of crunch from the tortilla topping. Plus, it’s easy to adapt to your diet, whether you go low-sodium, gluten-free, or vegetarian.

What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Substitutions)

Main Ingredients

You’ll start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts—tender, lean, and ideal for shredding. Then comes chicken broth and a splash of water for a flavorful base. Add diced tomatoes with green chiles for a pop of heat and color. Corn adds sweetness, while red enchilada sauce brings that signature Tex-Mex kick. Taco seasoning and a bit of chili powder tie it all together with smoky depth.

Topping & Garnish Options

A sprinkle of shredded cheese melts beautifully into the hot soup, creating a creamy finish. Crunchy tortilla strips add that satisfying bite you can’t skip. For extra flair, top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap chicken breasts for thighs if you prefer richer meat. If you’re out of corn, try black or pinto beans for a protein boost. For a vegetarian version, replace chicken and broth with vegetable stock and skip the cheese. To cut sodium, choose low-sodium broth. Want more heat? Use medium or hot enchilada sauce and pepper jack cheese.

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1 – Prep the Ingredients

Begin by placing your chicken breasts in the crock pot. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic. Add both to the pot over the chicken for a savory base that slowly releases flavor as it cooks.

Step 2 – Layer and Cook

Next, pour in the chicken broth and water. Add corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and enchilada sauce. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and chili powder, then give it all a gentle stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. While it simmers, the flavors meld and the chicken becomes tender enough to fall apart.

Step 3 – Shred and Finish

About 15 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir well, and let it soak in the broth for another 15 minutes. This step is key—it lets the meat absorb all that spiced, savory flavor.

Step 4 – Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cheese and tortilla strips. If you’d like, add avocado slices, a touch of cilantro, or a lime wedge on the side. Serve warm and watch it disappear fast.

Close-up bowl of chicken tortilla soup with cheese and tortilla strips

Tips for the Best Flavor and Texture

Always use fresh garlic if you can it makes the broth taste brighter. Don’t skip shredding the chicken; it gives the soup its signature texture. For more spice, go with medium or hot enchilada sauce. The melted cheese adds creamy comfort, while tortilla strips bring the crunch every good tortilla soup needs. If you prefer a thicker consistency, reduce the liquid slightly or add beans near the end of cooking.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze portions for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stove or microwave until steaming hot. The best part? The flavors deepen after a day or two, making the soup even more satisfying when reheated.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Pair your bowl with buttery cornbread or a crisp green salad for balance. Tortilla chips make a fun, crunchy side. Add lime wedges to brighten the flavors, or top with avocado for creamy contrast. This soup is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy winter nights. It also pairs beautifully with my creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup or crock pot chicken pot pie when planning a slow-cooker meal rotation.

More Such Recipes

Two bowls of Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup topped with cheese and tortilla strips

Conclusion

This Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup brings together everything we crave in comfort food warmth, simplicity, and bold flavor. It’s easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and fits right into busy life. Whether it’s a chilly night or a lazy Sunday, this soup delivers pure, cozy satisfaction in every spoonful.

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Close-up bowl of chicken tortilla soup with cheese and tortilla strips

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup | Easy Slow Cooker Meal


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  • Author: kai
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x

Description

A cozy, flavorful, and easy-to-make Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup that simmers all day in your slow cooker. Loaded with tender shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and Tex-Mex flavor, this hearty bowl is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.


Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 medium onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

14.5 oz can chicken broth

1 cup water

15.25 oz can corn, undrained

10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles (Rotel), undrained

10 oz can red enchilada sauce

1 packet taco seasoning

½ teaspoon chili powder

Shredded cheese, for topping

Crunchy tortilla strips, for topping


Instructions

1. Place chicken in crock pot and season with salt and pepper. Add onion and garlic.

2. Pour in chicken broth and water.

3. Add corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and enchilada sauce.

4. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and chili powder, then stir well.

5. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours.

6. About 15 minutes before serving, remove chicken and shred with forks.

7. Return shredded chicken to crock pot, stir, and cook another 15 minutes.

8. Serve topped with cheese and crunchy tortilla strips.

Notes

You can use chicken thighs or tenderloins instead of breasts.

Omit onion if desired.

Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but jarred is fine.

Opt for low-sodium broth to manage salt intake.

Replace corn with beans for extra fiber.

Use medium or hot enchilada sauce for more spice.

Top with avocado, lime, or cilantro for extra freshness.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 hours
  • Category: Soup Recipes
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 172
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 1422mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 19g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

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