Hearty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe: Cozy Spiced Comfort in a Bowl

Steaming bowls of comfort await with this chicken taco soup that blends zesty Mexican flavors into a soul-warming meal.

Rich spices dance through tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, creating a robust dinner that satisfies deep hunger.

The soup bursts with color and texture, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Each spoonful carries the warmth of familiar taco ingredients, reimagined in a hearty soup form.

Generous chunks of chicken simmer alongside beans, corn, and aromatic seasonings.

Fresh toppings like cilantro, cheese, and crisp tortilla strips transform this soup from simple to spectacular.

One taste will transport you to a cozy kitchen filled with robust, mouthwatering aromas.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing soup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything In Chicken Taco Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a silky cooking foundation and enhances overall flavor depth.
• Onion: Builds a robust flavor base with sweet and savory undertones, choose firm and glossy onions.
• Garlic: Adds intense aromatic punch, select fresh cloves without sprouts for maximum flavor.

• Shredded Chicken: Lean protein source that absorbs seasoning beautifully, rotisserie chicken works perfectly for quick preparation.
• Black Beans: Creamy texture with earthy flavor, rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
• Pinto Beans: Offers creamy consistency and additional protein, select low-sodium canned varieties.

• Chicken Broth: Creates rich, smooth soup base, opt for low-sodium versions for better flavor control.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers zesty southwestern flavor profile, homemade blends offer fresher taste.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds bright acidity and subtle heat, choose fire-roasted for deeper flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides smooth, cohesive texture and slight tanginess.
• Corn: Introduces sweet crunch and vibrant color, frozen or canned work equally well.

• Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy richness and tangy accent.
• Sour Cream: Provides cooling contrast to spicy elements.
• Cilantro: Offers fresh, bright herbal notes.
• Tortilla Chips: Delivers satisfying crunch and textural contrast.

Tools To Cook Chicken Taco Soup Quickly

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for sauteing aromatics and simmering the soup with all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for dicing onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise chopping and dicing.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring broth and other liquid ingredients.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into individual bowls.

Steps To Make Chicken Taco Soup Flavorful

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot and sizzle diced onions until they turn soft and golden. Toss in minced garlic and let the aromatic magic begin, stirring until fragrant.

• Create the Soupy Symphony

Tumble shredded chicken, taco seasoning, beans, corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato sauce into the pot. Mix everything together, letting the ingredients dance and blend.

• Let the Flavors Mingle

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat. Allow the soup to simmer gently, letting each ingredient whisper its delicious secrets for about 20-25 minutes.

• Dress and Devour

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and crown it with your favorite zingy toppings like sharp cheese, creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, or crunchy tortilla chips. Enjoy the fiesta in a bowl!

Helpful Hints For Chicken Taco Soup

• Slow Cooker Magic: Transform this recipe into a hassle-free meal by tossing all ingredients into a slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
• Protein Power: Swap chicken with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based protein crumbles for a different protein twist that keeps the flavor profile intact.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by using mild or hot taco seasoning, or add diced jalapeños for extra kick. Reduce spiciness by using less seasoning or adding a dollop of sour cream.
• Veggie Boost: Sneak in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add more texture to the soup.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat for a quick, delicious meal on busy nights.

How To Serve Chicken Taco Soup Anytime

• Taco Soup Flavor Boosters: Delicious Serving Suggestions
• Fresh Garnish Fiesta: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and crumbled queso fresco on top to add bright, zesty flavors and beautiful color contrast.
• Crunch Factor: Top with crispy tortilla strips, crushed corn chips, or homemade seasoned tortilla chips to introduce a satisfying textural element that complements the soup's creamy base.
• Creamy Cool Down: Add a dollop of tangy sour cream, a drizzle of Mexican crema, or sliced avocado to balance the soup's spicy notes and create a rich, smooth finish.
• Spice Level Customization: Serve with hot sauce, jalapeño slices, or pickled jalapeños on the side, allowing each person to adjust the heat level to their personal preference.

Plan Ahead With Chicken Taco Soup Storage

• Quick Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Cool soup completely before freezing in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Maintains quality for up to 3 months without losing rich flavors.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator. Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems thick.
• Topping Tip: Store garnishes separately to maintain crispness. Keep shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips in separate containers in refrigerator or pantry to add fresh texture when serving leftovers.

Hearty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken taco soup delivers Mexican-inspired comfort in a single bowl. Spicy, zesty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a quick meal packed with robust flavors for hungry families seeking delicious weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb cooked chicken (shredded or diced; rotisserie chicken works well)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 grams) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 grams) corn kernels, drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 tsp chili powder (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced avocado
• Tortilla chips or strips
• Lime wedges

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until it glistens with culinary promise.
2. Develop Aromatics: Sauté diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its essence to bloom briefly.
3. Layer Proteins and Seasonings: Add shredded chicken and taco seasoning, stirring to coat and intensify flavor profiles.
4. Construct Liquid Foundation: Combine black beans, pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, and tomato sauce into the pot, creating a robust liquid landscape.
5. Simmer and Harmonize: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and let the soup gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
6. Refine and Adjust: Taste and calibrate seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional chili powder to perfect the flavor balance.
7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle into serving bowls and embellish with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or crisp tortilla chips for textural contrast.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Selection: Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken for faster preparation and consistent tenderness.
• Control Spice Complexity: Adjust taco seasoning quantity based on personal heat preference; start with less and gradually increase for balanced flavor profile.
• Enhance Texture Variation: Allow soup to simmer uncovered to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors, creating a thicker, more robust consistency.
• Customize Dietary Adaptations: Substitute chicken with plant-based protein or black beans for vegetarian version; use low-sodium broth for reduced salt intake.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg