Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (2024)

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Published: January 11, 2014Updated: February 24, 2024Author: Jenn Laughlin

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My friends and family can’t get enough of this crock-pot chicken tortilla soup. This slow cooker soup is healthy, freezer-friendly, and full of flavor!

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (1)

As promised, here is the recipe that launched a thousand requests: my crockpot chicken tortilla soup!

Every time I make it my friendsrave that it’s the best they’ve ever had and promptly demand the recipe. Naturally I had to finally post itforthem, and share the deliciousness with you too!

tortilla soup for everyone!

Though this is a slow cooker recipe, can absolutely belt this one out on your stove top if you’re hungry and in a hurry!

I, however, am a serial slow cooker-er (pretend that works) and crazy for my crock-pot!

Here are a few awesome options if you’re still in the market for one. Plus once you own one you can make myCrock-Pot Loaded Baked Potato SoupandSlow Cooker Black Beansand before you know it you’ll be just as obsessed with them as I am!

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This tasty crockpot chicken tortilla soup recipe yields one 6 quart slow cooker full of deliciousness! Scarf some now, stock your freezer for later, or feel free to halve the recipe for a smaller amount of soup.

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (2)

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

My friends and family can’t get enough of this crock-pot chicken tortilla soup. It’s the best! This slow cooker soup is healthy, easy, freezer-friendly and full of veggies.

Recipe yields 6-8 servings.

5 from 44 votes

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Course: Main Dish, Soup

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4-1/2 cup tomatillo salsa verde
  • 3 TBSP tomato paste
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 3 cups black beans (cooked or canned)
  • 1-2 cups pinto beans (cooked or canned)
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 small corn tortillas (torn into small pieces)
  • 2 small onions (2 cups chopped)
  • 2 jalapeños (seeds and stem removed)
  • 1 large bell pepper
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • 2-4 TBSP fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • salt, to taste (amount added will vary on sodium content of broth + tomatoes/beans)

TASTY TOPPINGS:

  • greek yogurt or sour cream (I add lime zest to mine for extra oomph!)
  • shredded mexican cheese blend
  • tortilla chips
  • chopped red onion
  • chopped green onion
  • fresh cilantro
  • sliced jalapeños
  • pico de gallo
  • guacamole or sliced avocado

Instructions

  • Essentially you’re going to toss everything in and walk away, but because I like to explain the methods to my madness I’ll go into a bit more detail for ya:

  • Turn your slow cooker to high and add broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomatillo salsa, beans and chicken breasts, whole.

  • Next dice your bell pepper, jalapeno, and onion and tear your corn tortilla into small pieces before tossing them into the pot as well. The corn tortillas help the soup to thicken a bit and also act as noodles!

  • Add your seasonings, fresh cilantro, olive oil, and lime juice + cover.

  • Within a few hours the chicken breasts should be juicy and perfectly cooked, if you happen to be around, feel free to scoop them out with tongs or a fork, place them on a cutting board, and chop each breast into six large pieces. Now it’ll shred oh-so-easily! Use two forks to create pulled/shredded chicken and add it back to your slow cooker. If you aren’t home yet you can complete this step once you return. No worries!

  • The soup will simmer away on high for four-six hours [total time] and make your kitchen smell absolutely divine.

  • Steal a taste towards the end and add any extra spices or add-ins that float your boat. I typically add a little extra chili and garlic powder and a little fiery cayenne depending on my mood. You may want to add salt or might find that there was enough in your beans/tomatoes/broth to start and leave it as is! Since I add crushed tortilla chips to my final product I only add a pinch of salt to the entire pot. The chips add it in at the end and create the perfect ratio for me! As noted above you can add more broth or keep the soup nice and chunky. I love mine super-hearty so I can attack it with the tortilla chips and a small mountain of grated cheese and scoop up the soup nacho-style. Hot soup, melty cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips… I’m swooning again just thinking about it. Clearly it’s time to make another pot!

Notes

If using canned beans,simply drain and rinse and you’re ready to go!

For a brothier soup,keep a bit of extra vegetable or chicken broth on hand to add towards the end.

Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Values calculated before toppings, feel free to top this soup with all your favorite extras!

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 1209mg, Potassium: 1017mg, Fiber: 13g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 1660IU, Vitamin C: 41.9mg, Calcium: 83mg, Iron: 4.1mg

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

If you get a chance to try this crock-pot chicken tortilla soup, let me know!Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your tasty creation!

special diets and swaps

Vegetarian? Skip the chicken and load up on lots of extra beans and veggies for a tasty vegetarian version of this soup. Just be sure to amp up the seasonings so you don’t sacrifice flavor. Easy peasy!

Corn makes a great add-in as well if you’re a fan.

Check out my lentil tortilla soupfor an option that is gloriously vegetarian and can be made in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or stove top. It can also be made vegan too!

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (3)

tortilla soup tips and tricks

Depending on the chaos-factor of your lifestyle, you can prep the chopped ingredients and measure everything out ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to fire up the slow cooker, or simply whip the entire thing up on the fly.

I cook a huge batch of beans in the slow cooker early on in the weekso I can make this crock-pot chicken tortilla soup along with a few other favorites. It’s a lifesaver!

The great thing about slow cooker soups, especially this chicken tortilla soup, is how flexible it is!

I use the recipe to empty out my crisper drawer on a regular basis and love how it can rescue veggies that are about to wind up a forgotten mess in the back of my fridge.

The crock-pot chicken tortilla soup recipe above is the all-time favorite combination of ingredients and the one my friends and family go ape over!

no crock pot? no problem!

To make this crock-pot chicken tortilla soup on the stove top, you’ll want to boil the chicken breasts in the broth. Chop and shred once tender, then return to the pot to add the remainder of your ingredients. You’ll want to simmer it for a while to cook the onions and peppers to tender perfection or you can choose to sauté them on the side and then add them to your pot of yum.

Top with your choice of toppings and dig in! This soup tastes great right away and even better the following day.

leftovers for the win!

It’s crazy how much I look forward to the leftovers!

You can keep the soup in an airtight container in your fridge for up to four days or stash it away in the freezer for a later date.

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (4)

you’ve got to try this chicken tortilla soup!

It’s so flipping good that I think a need a bigger crock-pot!

Though it makes a metric ton, there never seems to be enough leftover to freeze because it’s alwaysdevoured within two days of making it.

I may have even had a bowl for breakfast tomorrow morning.

Eggs are so last week.

Peas and Crayons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to readers.

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (5)

About The Author:

Jenn Laughlin

Hi! I’m Jenn and I’m here to help you eat your veggies! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.

Learn More

Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe - Freezer Friendly (2024)

FAQs

How long is chicken tortilla soup good in the refrigerator? ›

Chicken tortilla soup will keep nicely in the fridge for up to 4 days. It may thicken up while refrigerated, so add a bit of water or chicken broth when reheating to thin it out as necessary.

Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

How to thicken up tortilla soup? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken chicken tortilla soup. To do so, create a slurry by combining equal parts flour and cold water. Whisk the slurry into the soup gradually, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness is achieved.

What pairs well with chicken tortilla soup? ›

What do you eat tortilla soup with? You can enjoy tortilla soup with many things, like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Mexican rice, chips with guacamole, roasted corn, black beans, and Mexican cornbread are also good choices.

Can I freeze homemade chicken soup? ›

According to the FDA, soup can be stored for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and for 2 to 3 months in the freezer. Any longer than 3 months and you risk losing freshness and the soup may get diluted from the ice that forms then melts during thawing.

How long can homemade soup last in the freezer? ›

The best practice is to freeze all soups the day you prepare them. Soup can stay in the freezer for up to three months if stored properly, but it will be less fresh the longer it sits in the freezer. Also, flavors may dilute because of ice forming, which creates water in the soup when thawing.

Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot for 4 hours? ›

I cook frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot all the time. Place them in the crock pot, cover with your favorite seasonings (I like to use a packet of taco seasoning and a jar of salsa) and leave on high 4–6 hours.

How much longer does frozen chicken take in the crockpot? ›

"Sounds hard to believe, but it is possible to put a whole frozen chicken in the crock pot and have dinner in about 7-8 hours.

When should you not use frozen chicken? ›

Per FSIS-USDA guidelines, if kept frozen continuously, chicken will be safe indefinitely, so after freezing, it's not important if any package dates expire. For best quality, taste and texture, keep whole raw chicken in the freezer up to one year; parts, 9 months; and giblets or ground chicken, 3 to 4 months.

How do you tone down chicken tortilla soup? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Does heavy cream thicken soup? ›

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

What does chicken tortilla soup contain? ›

Chicken tortilla soup actually is an authentic Mexican dish. The traditional soup is made with chicken broth, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chiles, and fried tortilla strips. There are also variations of the soup, like ones that include beans.

Why is it called chicken tortilla soup? ›

It's hard to pinpoint exactly the origin of tortilla soup, but it is generally attributed to Central Mexico and especially popular in Mexico City, where it was possibly born in the nearby state of Tlaxcala (which in Nahuatl means “land of the corn” or “place where tortillas abound”).

Is the chicken tortilla soup good for you when you're sick? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is low in calories but high in flavor. The amino acid cysteine, contained in the chicken in this powerful soup, loosens secretions, thinning out mucus and promoting coughing, which is needed to clear your nose and throat.

Can I eat homemade chicken soup after 5 days? ›

Make a large batch of soup and enjoy some for another meal. Many soups, with the possible exception of seafood soups, may taste better the next day! For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it.

Is chicken soup good after 7 days? ›

A general rule of thumb is that soup can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, but you should always taste your dish before deciding to reheat. A clear, vegetable-based soup with some acidity, such as tomatoes, may last longer. Chicken soup usually lasts three to five days.

Can you eat soup after 5 days in fridge? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can soup last 10 days in the fridge? ›

Like other leftover foods, homemade soup can safely be stored in the fridge for three to four days, per standard guidance from the USDA. This includes soups and stews that contain fish, meat, and poultry.

References

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