Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1½–2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Tortilla Toppings
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Jalapeños
- Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Place into the slow cooker:
- Chicken
- Onion
- Garlic
- Beans
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth
- All seasonings
Stir gently.
2. Cook
Cook:
- LOW for 6–7 hours
or - HIGH for 3–4 hours
Chicken should be tender and fully cooked.
3. Shred the Chicken
Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
Return shredded chicken to the soup.
4. Finish the Soup
Stir in fresh lime juice.
Taste and adjust salt or spice level if needed.
5. Serve
Ladle into bowls and top with:
- Tortilla strips
- Cheese
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
Tips for Best Results
Chicken Thighs Add More Flavor
They stay juicy and rich during long cooking.
Add Lime at the End
Fresh lime brightens the soup and balances richness.
Crispy Tortilla Strips
Bake or fry corn tortilla strips for the best crunch.
Make It Thicker
Blend 1 cup of the soup and stir it back in.
Meal Prep Friendly
The flavor gets even better the next day.
Flavor Profile
- Warm and smoky
- Slightly spicy
- Savory tomato broth
- Bright lime finish
- Crunchy tortilla topping
Serving Ideas
- Mexican rice
- Cornbread
- Quesadillas
- Side salad
- Guacamole and chips
Easy Variations
Creamy Tortilla Soup
Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream near the end.
Extra Spicy Version
Add chipotle peppers or extra jalapeños.
Low-Carb Version
Skip beans and tortilla strips.
Instant Pot Version
Pressure cook on HIGH for 12 minutes with natural release.
Would you like:
- Authentic Mexican-style version
- Creamy cheesy version
- High-protein meal prep version
- Restaurant-style tortilla strip recipe?
