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Appetizing bowl of slow cooker chicken tortilla soup with avocado, cheese, and tortilla strips on a wooden background.

Ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, flavorful, one-pot meal packed with tender shredded chicken, beans, peppers, and bold spices. Let your slow cooker do the work for a comforting dinner with minimal effort!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g. Rotel)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 oz tomato paste
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
  • 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Sour cream, for serving (optional)
  • Avocado slices, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • Crushed tortilla chips, for serving
  • Grated cheese, for serving (Monterey Jack or cheddar)

Equipment

  • 6-quart slow cooker Or larger size
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • cutting board and knife
  • can opener
  • Forks or tongs For shredding chicken

Method
 

  1. Chop the onion and both bell peppers. Mince the garlic and set vegetables aside.
  2. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  3. Add chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Pour in both cans of diced tomatoes and the chicken broth.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, chopped chipotle peppers, and black beans. Gently mix everything to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours or LOW for 7–8 hours, until chicken is tender.
  6. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  7. Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  8. Serve hot with toppings like sour cream, avocado, cheese, tortilla chips, and cilantro.

Notes

Make it creamier by stirring in cream cheese or heavy cream. For extra spice, add another chipotle pepper or cayenne. Swap black beans for pinto or cannellini. To thicken, stir in cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It freezes beautifully and is great for meal prep!