Super easy and flavorful slow cooker spicy chicken tortilla soup. A comforting must make meal, perfect to warm up with all winter long!

Nothing hits the spot on a cold winter day quite like a warm bowl of soup. A perfect meal to cozy up with and chase off the chill of the day. I’ve always adored soup season. I have fond memories of sledding or building forts as a child and going back in for lunch, after what seemed like hours and hours of playing, and warming up with a fresh bowl of soup…paired with a crisp gooey grilled cheese sandwich – of course! Classic cold weather comfort food.

And as an adult, that doesn’t change. The only thing that does change is the flavors and complexity of the soup.

As a kid I never would’ve eaten anything other than basic chicken noodle. I mean, it’s a classic and you can never go wrong with that. I still to this day enjoy a good bowl of chicken noodle soup. Who doesn’t? BUT we’re not here to talk about that flavor.

Today, it’s all about spicy chicken tortilla soup!

This easy homemade spicy chicken tortilla soup packed full of amazing flavor and made easier in the slow cooker. Just toss it all in and let the slow cooker do the work for you. Have it ready for you when you get home or enjoy the smells wafting from the kitchen all day long! A huge benefit of using a slow cooker… a quick prep in the morning and enjoy the soup when you want!

Chicken tortilla soup is easily one of my favorite soups. And, I love spicy food. So, making a spicier kicked-up version of one of my favorites was a no brainer. Check out the tips section below and notes section within the recipe box for suggestions on how to adjust the spice level in this soup.

If you’re a fan of chicken tortilla soup, this spicy slow cooker version should absolutely be part of your winter dinner plans. The perfect meal to warm up with this week!


Tips tricks and questions answered…

How much will this recipe make?
Depending on your portion size, this recipe will serve 6-10 roughly.

Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes! This soup will freeze great.

How long can this be stored?
This can easily be refrigerated for 4-5 days. If frozen, it will keep up to several months.

Reheating notes…
If reheating in individual portions, transfer to a stain resistant and heat safe container to microwave. If reheating in a large batch, transfer soup to a saucepan and heat over medium/medium-low until steaming.

Can I leave out…
This soup is incredibly customizable! If you don’t have access to poblanos, substitute other peppers that provide some heat. Want a vegetarian version? No problem! Leave out the chicken and add additional vegetables and beans.

Can I make substitutions to the ingredients?
This recipe works with the exact measurements and and ingredients listed. However, with savory dishes, spices can always be adjusted to personal preferences. Outside of any alterations I’ve already mentioned, for specific substitution questions, ask in the comments below.

I can’t find chipotle chili powder.
If you can’t find it locally, you can substitute with chili powder. It has a slightly different flavor but will work fine in a pinch. Alternatively, you can blend 1-2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce with the fire roasted tomatoes. A combination of the above may be done as well. Play around with what ingredients you have available to you.

What tortilla strips do you recommend?
Homemade is amazing! Use this recipe for homemade seasoned baked tortilla strips. You can also purchase tortilla strips in your local grocery store, typically near the croutons and other salad toppers. Crushed up tortilla chips would also work well!

Do I need to blend the tomatoes?
If you don’t have access to a blender, you can absolutely skip it. If you are using whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, I wouldn’t recommend skipping the blending process though.

Help! My soup is too spicy! How can I fix this?
The easiest ways to help counteract the level of spice is to add some dairy in. A few suggestions: add a cup of heavy cream to the slow cooker to mellow out the whole batch. Add shredded Colby or Mexican cheese to the slow cooker or individual bowls. Or top off each bowl with sour cream. Or a combination of any of those options! These will all help mellow out the overall spiciness of the soup. A note on cheese: be sure to only use freshly shredded cheese as it melts better than store bough pre-shredded cheese.

Super easy and flavorful slow cooker spicy chicken tortilla soup recipe from @bakedbyrachel. A comforting must make meal, perfect to warm up with all winter long!
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Slow Cooker Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6
Super easy and flavorful slow cooker spicy chicken tortilla soup. A comforting must make meal, perfect to warm up with all winter long!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/2 lb boneless chicken breast
  • 15 oz corn, drained
  • 15 oz fire roasted tomatoes
  • 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 C yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 poblanos, chopped, roughly 2 cups
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp chipotle chili powder, *see notes
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 5 C chicken broth

Toppings:

  • tortilla strips
  • cheese
  • green onions
  • avocado

Instructions
 

  • To the bowl of a 5-6 quart slow cooker, add chicken, chopped onion and poblanos, beans, corn and seasonings (*See notes about spices). In a blender, process fire roasted tomatoes with 2 cups chicken broth. Add to slow cooker with remaining 3 cups chicken broth. Stir gently. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
  • When cook time is up, remove chicken and shred with forks. Return chicken to soup. Stir to combined. Taste and adjust spices as desired.
  • Serve warm with optional cheese, green onions, avocado and tortilla strips or chips.

Notes

*Recipe made as is will be spicy. If unsure about spice level, start with 1/2-1 tsp chipotle chili powder. Taste broth near the end of the cook cycle and increase spices as desired.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 76mg, Sodium: 1758mg, Potassium: 999mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 863IU, Vitamin C: 41mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most accurate data, use your preferred nutrition calculator with the actual ingredients you used to make this recipe.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Snap a picture and tag @bakedbyrachel on Instagram!
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Slow cooker

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Super easy and flavorful slow cooker spicy chicken tortilla soup recipe from @bakedbyrachel. A comforting must make meal, perfect to warm up with all winter long!

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