Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Chicken Taco Soup Recipe is the ultimate comfort food, blending the zesty flavors of tacos with the heartwarming goodness of a savory soup. It’s incredibly simple to make, relies on pantry staples, and comes together with minimal effort for a meal the whole family will love. Whether you’re a busy parent or just craving something delicious and easy, this soup is the perfect solution.
We’re talking tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, and sweet corn all swimming in a rich, seasoned tomato broth. It’s satisfying, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
This isn’t just another soup recipe; it’s a game-changer for your meal rotation. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again:
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: This is a true “dump and go” recipe. You’ll spend less than 15 minutes getting everything ready, but the soup tastes like it simmered for hours.
Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients—like canned beans, corn, and tomatoes—in your kitchen right now.
Two Ways to Cook: We’ve included simple instructions for both a quick stovetop version and a hands-off slow cooker method. Choose whichever fits your day!
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it an excellent choice for lunches or make-ahead dinners.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chicken Taco Soup Recipe lies in its simplicity. We use common, easy-to-find ingredients to create a robust and satisfying flavor. No complicated steps, just pure goodness.
This dump-and-go crockpot meal couldn't be easier.
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best as they become incredibly tender and easy to shred.
Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
Canned Beans: We use a combination of black beans and pinto beans for texture and flavor. Be sure to rinse and drain them.
Canned Corn: A can of whole-kernel corn, drained, adds a touch of sweetness.
Rotel Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes and green chilies brings a gentle heat and zesty flavor. Don’t drain it!
Taco Seasoning: One packet is all you need, or you can use your own homemade blend.
Ranch Seasoning Mix: This is the secret ingredient that adds a creamy, tangy flavor that makes the soup truly addictive.
Optional Creaminess: A block of cream cheese can be added at the end for an ultra-creamy, rich finish.
How to Make This Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (Stovetop)
Need dinner on the table in about 30 minutes? The stovetop method is for you. It’s fast, easy, and delivers a perfectly simmered soup in no time.
Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, drained beans, drained corn, undrained Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning. Stir everything together.
Add Chicken: Nestle the chicken breasts into the liquid.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot. Shred them using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir to combine.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup Instructions
For a truly hands-off meal, the slow cooker is your best friend. This “dump, set, and forget” method is perfect for busy days when you want to come home to a hot, delicious dinner.
Customize your bowl with all your favorite toppings!
Load the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add Ingredients: Pour the drained beans, drained corn, undrained Rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning over the chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Shred and Serve: Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the slow cooker. Stir well and serve hot with your desired toppings.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
A few simple tricks can take your chicken taco soup from great to absolutely unforgettable.
For Easy Shredding: Once cooked, you can shred the chicken with two forks or use a hand mixer directly in the pot (on low speed!) for perfectly shredded chicken in seconds.
Make it Creamy: For a creamy chicken taco soup, add a block of softened cream cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking in the slow cooker or after shredding the chicken on the stovetop. Stir until it’s completely melted and smooth.
Control the Spice: For a milder soup, use mild Rotel. For more heat, use hot Rotel or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño.
Thicken it Up: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot or mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it in at the end of cooking.
Our Favorite Toppings for Taco Soup
Toppings are half the fun! Set up a toppings bar and let everyone customize their own bowl. Here are a few of our favorites:
Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt
Crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortilla strips
Diced avocado
Fresh cilantro
Sliced jalapeños
A squeeze of fresh lime juice
What to Serve with Chicken Taco Soup
This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. We love serving it with warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious broth. These 30-Minute Dinner Rolls are a fantastic and quick option. A simple side salad or a cheesy quesadilla also works great.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Follow these simple storage tips to enjoy it later.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and it often tastes even better the next day.
Freezing Instructions
Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. If you plan to make it creamy, it’s best to freeze the soup *before* adding the cream cheese, as dairy can sometimes separate upon thawing.
How to Reheat
Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
To thicken your soup, you can mash some of the beans with a fork to release their starches. Alternatively, create a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the simmering soup until it thickens.
Absolutely! To save time, you can use 2-3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Simply add it to the soup during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to allow it to heat through and absorb the flavors.
The best toppings are all about personal preference! Some favorites include shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime juice.
When stored in an airtight container, chicken taco soup will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors often become even better on the second day.
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze it without any dairy (like cream cheese or sour cream) and add it when reheating.
This soup is packed with protein and fiber from the chicken and beans. To make it even healthier, you can use low-sodium broth, rinse the beans well, and choose light or non-fat toppings like Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
More Cozy Soup Recipes to Try
If you loved this easy recipe, you’ll definitely want to try some of our other favorite comforting soups. For a unique and hearty meal, check out our Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup. And for a taste of Italy, you can’t go wrong with our reader-favorite Creamy Zuppa Toscana. Another fantastic option for a chilly day is this delicious Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this easy and flavorful Chicken Taco Soup Recipe as much as we do! If you make it, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and rating below. And don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite soup board on Pinterest!
The only Chicken Taco Soup recipe you'll ever need! Perfect for cozy nights in.
Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
FL Recipes
Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (The Easiest, Coziest Bowl!)
This Chicken Taco Soup Recipe is the ultimate comfort food, blending zesty taco flavors with the heartwarming goodness of a savory soup. It’s incredibly simple to make and can be ready in 30 minutes on the stovetop or left to simmer all day in the crockpot.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, drained beans, drained corn, undrained Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning. Stir everything together.
Nestle the chicken breasts into the liquid. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot. Shred them using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir to combine.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the drained beans, drained corn, undrained Rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning over the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the slow cooker. Stir well and serve hot with desired toppings.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalProtein: 34gFat: 8gFiber: 10g
Notes
Make it Creamy: For a creamy version, add one block (8 oz) of softened cream cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir until smooth. Spice Level: Use 'Hot' Rotel tomatoes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat. Toppings: Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla strips for the full experience.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
