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chicken tortilla soup crock pot

Easiest Chicken Tortilla Soup Crock Pot Recipe

This crock pot chicken tortilla soup is a flavorful, one-pot Tex-Mex classic made with tender chicken, beans, corn, and bold spices. Just set it and forget it—perfect for busy days and delicious every time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Large Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 Can Black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 Cup Corn
  • 1 Can Fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 Small Onion
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 4 Cups Chicken broth
  • 1½ Tsp Chili powder
  • 1 Tsp Ground cumin
  • ½ Tsp Smoked paprika
  • To taste Salt & black pepper
  • 1 Lime Lime juice
  • Optional Tortilla strips, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, fresh cilantro

Method
 

  1. Add Everything to the Crock Pot: Place chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices into the crock pot. Pour in broth and give everything a gentle stir.
  2. Set It & Forget It: Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  3. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, then return to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  4. Finish with Lime Juice: Add fresh lime juice and stir—it lifts all the slow-cooked flavors beautifully.
  5. Serve & Garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

Notes

  • Let the Aromatics Build, Even in a Slow Cooker: Just because it's a dump-and-go recipe doesn’t mean flavor takes a back seat. Finely diced onion and garlic slowly release their sweetness as they cook low and slow—this is where your soup begins to develop soul.
  • Layer the Spices, Don’t Just Sprinkle: Cumin, chili powder, and paprika aren’t just heat—they’re complexity. Stir them in early, so they bloom into the broth over hours, transforming basic ingredients into bold, comforting depth.
  • The Chicken Does More Than Cook—It Infuses: Slow cooking allows the chicken to do double duty: not just becoming tender enough to shred, but actively flavoring the entire broth as it simmers. It’s not just in the soup—it becomes the soup.
  • Toppings Are More Than Garnish: Crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime aren’t afterthoughts. They add texture, brightness, and contrast—essential layers that balance the richness and warmth of the soup below.
  • Finish with Balance, Not Just Heat: Spice warms the palate, but acidity lifts the whole bowl. A splash of lime juice stirred in just before serving brings clarity to the deep, slow-cooked flavors and keeps every spoonful alive.