Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
This Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make meal perfect for cozy dinners. Tender chicken simmers with spices, enchilada sauce, and a blend of fresh ingredients to create a zesty soup bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors. It’s served with crispy tortilla chips and customizable toppings like yogurt, shredded cheddar, avocado, mango salsa, and green onions for a satisfying and colorful dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2–3 teaspoons taco seasoning
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups red enchilada sauce
- 3–4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Additional Ingredients
- 1–2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For Serving
- Tortilla chips
- Yogurt
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Avocado slices
- Mango salsa
- Green onion slices
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the onion, seed and chop the jalapeños, and chop the garlic. These fresh aromatics form the soup’s flavor base.
- Assemble Soup in Crockpot: Layer the onion, jalapeños, and garlic in the crockpot. Add the chicken, cumin, taco seasoning, and a pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Pour the red enchilada sauce and 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred Chicken and Combine: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it finely with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot, then stir in the cooked rice, chopped cilantro, and lime juice to add aroma and brighten the soup flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla chips and finish with a spoonful of yogurt, shredded cheddar, avocado slices, mango salsa, and green onions to suit your taste.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs or breasts depending on preference; thighs provide more moisture and flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth.
- Adjust spiciness by varying jalapeño amount or taco seasoning.
- Use pre-cooked rice to speed up preparation time; brown rice adds a nuttier flavor and extra fiber.
- The stove-top and instant pot methods offer quicker alternatives if short on time.