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Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup (Crockpot)
📹 Video Tutorial from YouTube
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🛒 Quick Ingredients
📋 Complete Ingredients List
💡 Pro tip: Tap items to check them off as you prep!
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla strips for garnish
- Optional toppings: avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro
🍳 Quick Cooking Steps
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot
Add diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, onion, bell peppers, and garlic
Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the ingredients
Pour chicken broth over everything
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours
Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks
Return shredded chicken to the crockpot
Stir in lime juice
Let soup sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld
Serve hot topped with tortilla strips and optional garnishes
🔧 Kitchen Tools & Equipment
📋 Complete Tools List
- 6-quart crockpot
- Sharp chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Can opener
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
- Mixing bowls
- Colander for draining beans
⚡ Quick Cooking Tips
For extra heat, add a diced jalapeo or chipotle pepper
Use fire-roasted tomatoes for deeper flavor
Add diced sweet potato for extra heartiness
Try using different beans like pinto or kidney
Make it creamy by stirring in cream cheese at the end
Use rotisserie chicken for a quick version
Add zucchini or summer squash in the last hour of cooking
📊 Nutrition Facts
🔥 Time to Burn Calories
Walking 50min, Running 25min, Cycling 35min
📦 Storage & Meal Prep
🥶 Storage Instructions
- Let soup cool completely before storing Store in airtight containers in refrigerator for up to 4 days Keep toppings separate from soup base until serving
🔥 Reheating Tips
- Reheat in microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through Warm on stovetop over medium heat until hot Add extra broth if soup becomes too thick after storage
⏰ Make Ahead Tips
- Chop all vegetables up to 2 days ahead Measure and combine dry spices in advance Prep garnishes the day before
❄️ Freezing Guide
- Freeze soup base without toppings for up to 3 months Store in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Top with crispy tortilla strips for authentic texture Serve with fresh lime wedges for extra zest Add diced avocado for healthy fats Garnish with fresh cilantro and Mexican crema Pair with warm corn tortillas or cornbread
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Opening the crockpot lid too frequently during cooking Not shredding the chicken while it's still hot Adding too much liquid which dilutes the flavors Forgetting to drain and rinse the black beans Adding delicate toppings too early
🎨 Recipe Variations
- Verde version: Use salsa verde and white beans instead of tomatoes and black beans Spicy version: Add diced chipotles in adobo sauce Vegetarian version: Replace chicken with extra beans and vegetables Low-carb version: Omit beans and corn, add more vegetables Chicken enchilada version: Add enchilada sauce and top with Mexican cheese blend
❓ Quick Cooking Q&A
Yes, but add 1-2 hours to cooking time and ensure it reaches 165F internal temperature
Remove some liquid and blend with beans, then return to pot, or cook longer with lid off
Yes, add cooked rice in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from getting mushy
Taco seasoning can be used as a substitute for the individual spices
Reduce or omit the chili powder and use mild diced tomatoes
Don't overcook and ensure there's enough liquid covering the chicken
Yes, drain it well and add in the last hour of cooking
Place in a sealed bag and gently crush with a rolling pin
Yes, if your crockpot is large enough, but may need to increase cooking time slightly
Add additional beans or vegetables, or serve with rice on the side
Yes, freeze without toppings for up to 3 months in airtight containers
Yes, they work great and stay even more tender
Lemon juice can work as a substitute, or omit if necessary
Yes, it actually tastes better the next day as flavors develop
Start with amounts listed and add more at the end if needed
