Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Cook Time: 180 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
  • 1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
  • 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
  • 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 7 corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed

Directions:

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, green chiles, onion, and garlic into a slow cooker.
  3. Pour in water and chicken broth; season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro.
  4. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours.
  5. When the soup is almost finished, preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
  6. Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with vegetable oil.
  7. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread them out on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the strips are crisp.
  9. Sprinkle the crispy tortilla strips over the soup before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

  • Calories: 262
  • Fat: 11g
  • Carbs: 25g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Sodium: 893mg
  • Cholesterol: 45mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Sugars: 4g
  • Vitamin C: 21mg
  • Calcium: 63mg
  • Iron: 2mg
  • Potassium: 472mg

Servings Per Recipe: 8

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

History and Origins

Chicken Tortilla Soup, also known as "Sopa de Tortilla," has deep roots in the traditional cuisine of Mexico. It is believed to have originated in central Mexico, where it was traditionally prepared using a base of chicken or beef broth, flavored with ingredients like chilies, tomatoes, and, of course, tortillas. The addition of crispy fried tortilla strips on top is a key feature, adding texture and flavor to the dish. Over time, the soup has evolved with regional variations, particularly in its use of different meats and vegetables. While the recipe varies from region to region, the heart of the dish remains a delicious, flavorful broth with a balance of smoky, savory, and spicy notes.

Regional Variations

In Mexico, Tortilla Soup can be found in various regions, and each area may add its own flair. For instance, in Oaxaca, you might find a version that incorporates the regions famous Oaxacan cheese, while in northern Mexico, the soup might feature more robust, smoky flavors with the inclusion of dried chilies such as pasilla or ancho. The use of avocado, cilantro, and lime as garnishes is common in many regions, enhancing the soups freshness and vibrancy. In the United States, the dish has become a staple in Mexican restaurants, with many restaurants offering their own takes, often including a variety of toppings such as sour cream, cheese, and salsa.

How It Differs from Other Similar Dishes

While Chicken Tortilla Soup shares some similarities with other Mexican soups, like "Pozole" or "Caldo de Pollo," it stands apart in its use of fried tortilla strips and its distinct smoky flavor, often derived from the use of chiles or enchilada sauce. Unlike pozole, which uses hominy and a longer cooking time, tortilla soup is quicker to prepare and offers a more concentrated flavor profile, thanks to the broth and toppings. What sets Chicken Tortilla Soup apart from other Mexican stews is the crispy tortilla strips that float atop the soup, providing a unique texture contrast to the rich, liquid base.

Where It's Typically Served

Chicken Tortilla Soup is a popular dish in both casual and festive settings. It is often served in Mexican households as a comfort food, especially during colder months. In the U.S., it has become a standard offering in Mexican-themed restaurants, commonly served as a starter or appetizer. During festive occasions, such as Cinco de Mayo or Da de los Muertos, it might be served in a larger bowl with additional garnishes like sliced avocado, cheese, and lime. In some regions of Mexico, it's also enjoyed as a late-night meal, often paired with a refreshing drink like agua fresca or beer.

Interesting Facts

  • The soups name, Sopa de Tortilla, refers to the traditional use of corn tortillas, which are cut into strips and fried before being added to the soup.
  • The dish has been adapted in many different forms, with some variations using beef or pork in place of chicken, while others may even incorporate beans or corn for added texture.
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup is known for its versatility. It can be easily modified to suit vegetarian or gluten-free diets by using vegetable broth or gluten-free tortillas.
  • In some regions of Mexico, Tortilla Soup is also served with a variety of garnishes such as crumbled cheese, fried onions, or strips of roasted poblano peppers, which give the dish even more flavor and richness.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is a dish that beautifully combines tradition with convenience, offering a flavorful and hearty meal that can be prepared effortlessly. Its rich history, regional variations, and unique ingredients make it a timeless favorite that continues to be enjoyed by many worldwide. Whether served as a family dinner or as a festive party dish, this soup will surely delight anyone who loves the vibrant and bold flavors of Mexican cuisine.

FAQ about Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a little extra broth if the soup has thickened too much.

Yes, you can prepare the soup ahead of time. You can either store it uncooked in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight, or cook it in advance and reheat it when you're ready to serve. Just be sure to store the tortilla strips separately to keep them crispy.

Yes, you can customize the soup by adding beans like black beans or kidney beans, or even vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on what you add.

Yes, if you prefer a spicier soup, you can increase the amount of chili powder, cumin, or add some cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños. If you like a smoky flavor, you can also add a bit of smoked paprika.

Yes, you can use raw chicken in this recipe. Simply add the raw chicken to the slow cooker with the other ingredients, and shred the chicken after it's cooked. Make sure to cook the soup for the full recommended time (6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high).

To make the tortilla strips, brush both sides of corn tortillas with oil, cut them into strips, and bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until crispy. These add a nice crunch to the soup when sprinkled on top before serving.

Yes, you can use store-bought tortilla chips as a shortcut. Just sprinkle them on top of the soup before serving. Keep in mind that homemade strips offer a fresher, crunchier texture.

Yes, you can cook the soup on the stove instead. Follow the same instructions for adding ingredients to a large pot, and simmer over medium heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through. Once the chicken is done, shred it and stir it back into the soup.

Yes, to make the soup vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. You can also add more beans or vegetables for extra protein and texture.

This soup is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with a variety of toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, avocado, or a squeeze of lime. You can also pair it with a side of rice or cornbread for a more filling meal.

Comments

COOKNAGIN

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This is one of my favorite soup recipes. I didnt have any plain tomatoes so I put in a can of rotel with green chilies, a can of black beans and a can of white beans.I didnt think my kids would like it.They loved this soup.Its a no fail recipe. Thanks A +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Johanna WISHES she were a

12/02/2006 08:09:00 PM

Started this Friday morning for our church small group meeting Friday night. The house smelled great! I added a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) and 2 more cups of chicken broth to make it soupier. I put "sides" in bowls for guests to make their own versions (shredded cheese, fresh avocado, and sour cream). Used plain tortilla chips that guests could sprinkle over their own bowls, and made a pot of brown rice. Add a scoop of rice to your bowl, then put soup on top, then add your choice of sour cream, avocado, and/or cheese, and mix together. Yummy and great for a cold night!

yiayia

03/26/2024 05:06:48 PM

I used fresh chicken and vegetables. I blended the tomatoes, the onion and the diced green chilies because my family thinks they don’t eat that ha ha ha ha but otherwise the exact recipe was exactly the same. I cooked it in my IP. It is a family fave.

lindam

11/07/2022 09:44:14 PM

Used raw chicken and just shredded it at the end (super easy and way less expensive than rotisserie). Used only one cup water. Added black beans. Probably would step up the spices a bit next time.

janelleW

06/23/2021 04:44:19 AM

An absolute hit in my house with my picky husband so this is going to be a standard recipe around here. I added 3/4 cup of white rice, a can of black beans, and one chopped avocado into the pot. I didn’t use a slow cooker because I was pressed for time so I cut the chicken breasts into very small pieces (versus shredding post cooking them since they lose flavor that way). I also used 32 ounces of chicken broth but it was still more of a chili consistency than a soup but no complaints here. It was delicious!

SteadyMead5612

10/25/2024 02:33:14 PM

Was looking for a slow cooker recipe comparable to the stove top.. I didn’t use cilantro but put a splash of lime juice in the soup prior to cooking I also used a box of chicken broth because that’s what the stovetop was going to do no water. I used crushed tomatoes and instead of a can of chopped peppers I used rotel and left the enchilada sauce out since I used rotel. I didn’t have precooked chicken so used raw chicken strips and cooked in the soup.. seasoned the chicken first. I also used black beans instead of the other beans.

Cristina Gomez-Jimenez

12/22/2020 10:14:04 PM

I absolutely loved this recipe. I did make a few changes since I don't like the soup so runny and I tried it with both the red enchilada sauce and with the green enchilada sauce and must say that I prefer using the green enchilada sauce. Here is my modification: I added the tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chile peppers and garlic in the blender and blended it all. Everything else I left as it was and it was absolutely delicious!!

Ellen

12/19/2023 03:08:35 AM

It was great. I did it on the stovetop. Added half cup of black beans (leftovers) and extra broth as we prefer it more clear. Flavors were great and bay leaf is a must to help the other flavors sing.

sugar cakes

11/19/2024 02:32:00 PM

I made this based on the reviews and their notes: green enchalada sauce, canned crushed tomatoess, low sodium carton broth no water, black beans, and what I did for the chicken was season 2 bone in split breasts using Lawry's Cesero seasoning, wrapped tight in foil overnite then baked for 25 minutes at 425. I used scissors to cut the chicken in small chunks, it was fabulous!

SHRMDR

12/13/2022 02:56:39 AM

I've used this recipe several times - I am more liberal with the spices & garlic & I also use the 10 minute enchilada sauce from this website as I can't stand canned.

madisong

09/14/2020 12:46:38 AM

This is a good outline, but i cooked the raw chicken in the soup, didn’t use water, and just added whatever spices I was in the mood to add (in addition to recipe, smoked paprika and chipotle powder), and added lime juice toward the end. Cooked for about 2 hours on high 3 on low

Janessa

08/10/2025 09:00:01 PM

Great easy recipe! I added fresh chopped spinach near the end of cooking time to make it even healthier.

LilacPate4309

06/03/2025 07:58:48 PM

I put more tomatoes 🍅 n and they were crushed 🍅 not mashed 🍅 I also put in pico de gallo. I suggest you use the amount of tomatoes 🍅 it calls for. I use a whole large sweet onion 🧅, and 1 large garlic 🧄 put 2 small garlic 🧄 cloves whole bag of frozen corn. Next time I will sub chicken broth for the water use less tomatoes 🍅 and less corn. The last thing I used was canned chile flavored beans 🫘 (green chilies). I used fresh chicken tenders that were whole, 4 hours on low, they were cooked (170°) all I did was shred then add back to the soup.

jeanbrooks1

06/01/2025 12:12:32 PM

I would add less water. I would get tortilla chips rather than baking tortillas (they were tough).

Angela

04/06/2025 09:20:49 PM

Lots of wonderful flavors per my husband. I cooked for 8 hours. I put the raw chicken in the slow cooker and it was done when I checked the taste of the soup at the 4 hour mark. I increased the onion to 1 1/2 medium onions that I caramelized. I doubled the cumin, chili powder, garlic and added two tsp of onion powder. I added a can of black beans drained and rinsed. I substituted the water with chicken broth and reduced the amount to 1 1/2 cups. I also served with half a lime. Really added a nice flavor to the soup.

Wendie Lowry

02/22/2025 03:41:55 PM

I made this for a family get together and everyone loved it. I served it with add ons, like cilantro, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, onions, shredded cheese and hot sauce and salsa, also extra tortilla chips. It was very easy and so satisfying. Good soup for cold days. I will be making this again.

Michelle Scott

02/21/2025 03:54:34 AM

My niece helped me make it — she loved it.

Robyn Garlington

02/18/2025 05:35:53 PM

Delicious!!

Melissa H

02/15/2025 06:16:58 AM

This was ok with tweaks. First I did not used already cooked chicken. After I put everything in the crock pot I put 2 large raw chicken breasts in. About 30 minutes before serving I took it out and shredded it. Instead of enchilada sauce I used Rotel as suggested by other reviews. No water, I used all chicken broth. I also used store bought tortilla strips for the topping. It was pretty good but next time I will cut the chicken up into bites size pieces instead of shredding it. I didn’t care for that. Also I will add a can of black beans, also suggested. This is good and very easy but not fantastic.

Dilcie Paschall

02/02/2025 08:30:12 AM

This was amazing. I have a favorite tortilla soup that I get from a Mexican restaurant that is the best I've ever had. However, this soup is a definite second. So glad I can whip it up at home. It's a keeper, for sure.