This chicken tortilla soup is comforting, tangy and easy to make if you have a slow cooker or crock pot. Although it is not necessarily authentic, it is delicious and perfect if you will be out of the house for a few hours. Feel free to use whatever chicken parts you have, I used thighs because I had them. You could also definitely make it without a slow cooker or stretch the recipe out with some white beans. If you like this recipe, you may also want to check out my Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken, Lamb Shanks, or White Bean Chili Recipes.
(serves 6)
1 onion chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 small carrots, chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small can green chilies
1 cup enchilada sauce
1 large can of whole tomatoes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
6 skinless bone-in chicken thighs
1 quart water
1C frozen corn kernels
Optional toppings:
chopped green onion
minced fresh cilantro
grated cheddar cheese
sour cream or plain yogourt
corn tortilla strips. (Chop up tortilla spray with Pam, toss and bake at 400F for a few minutes)
Combine all ingredients up to and including the oregano in the slow cooker or crock pot and stir. Add chicken and water and stir. Place and low and cook for 6-8 hours (or 3-4 on high, I used a combination.) Remove chicken to a plate. Stir in corn. Shred chicken and stir back into the soup. Taste and correct for seasoning. Cook for another 10 minutes. Serve hot with optional toppings.
Similar Crockpot Recipes:
Sesame Chicken
White Bean Chili
Beef Short Ribs with Cinnamon and Red Wine
Chicken Stock in the Slow Cooker
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Kevin, this sounds pretty good, almost spot on, but don’t forget tortilla soup is cooked with the tortillas, before cooking. The garnish is good, but the tortillas are still the corn ones in the soup.
I got a slow-cooker book as a gift for the holidays and it has a few chicken recipes but not may and all the chicken ones call for cooking 4-5 hours. I think chicken just can’t handle all day cooking since it’s so lean.
This has to be my favorite soup. I just love all of those flavors.
I love tortilla soup!! I love the added toppings too!
I love tortilla soup. This makes me want to buy a crockpot!
Bobbisox not to be difficult, but it is defintely not Kevin, its Katerina and I am certainly not claiming authenticity.
Jen – such a shame, isn’t it?
Bridgett and Maria – it is a new favorite of mine too. This was the first time I had ever tasted it.
Jess – I really do love my crockpot!
hey I could actually make this, it looks yumm!
Great recipe! For a quick and tasty slow cooker recipe, try this one…
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes with chilis
1 sm can tomato sauce
1 sm jar salsa
1 lg boneless chicken breast
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove chicken breast and cut into pieces (chicken will shred as you cut it)
Return the chicken to slow cooker and mix well.
Serve over broken tortillia chips and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Posted by David – Smart Choice Gourmet
Tortilla soup in San Antonio, TX, home of Tex-Mex food, is usually made pretty much like yours, but no corn, and instead of water, we use chicken stock. And it's not tortilla soup if there isn't sliced avocado put in the bottom of the bowl first, as well as a small lump of jack cheese that melts as you eat, giving a bit of creamy broth. Cilantro is good on top, as you suggest, but also good to include in the broth as it's cooking, just a bit. I don't add enchilada sauce, just the chili powder, enough to give the heat you like.
Lauren
I made this on the stove top. I removed the skin from the chicken, sprinkled on half of the spices which I had mixed together, and browned the thighs in olive oil. Then sauteed the veggies in same pan, adding a bit of a 12 oz. beer when bottom of pan got too brown. Added 1/2 cup brown rice, can of white beans and can of golden hominy along with remaining ingredients. Used chicken stock rather than water and the rest of the bottle of beer. Served with corn tortillas filled with cheddar cheese and toasted in a frying pan. Family loved this soup.
Anon – so glad to hear your family loved it even without the crockpot
This is one tasty sounding soup!