Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

Irresistible Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe For Cozy Nights

Whipping up a hearty chicken taco soup in your kitchen can transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into a delightful culinary adventure.

Savory aromas will dance through your home as you combine simple ingredients.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with robust beans and zesty spices, creating a comforting meal everyone loves.

Colorful bell peppers and corn add vibrant texture to each spoonful.

Rich broth carries deep mexican-inspired flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Grab a ladle and let this soul-satisfying soup become your new dinnertime hero.

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Guide

  • Boost Comfort: Indulge in a cozy, warm beverage that wraps you in autumn's comforting embrace, perfect for chilly days and relaxing moments.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize your hot chocolate by adding optional toppings like whipped cream, cinnamon stick, or grated nutmeg to suit your taste preferences.
  • Simple Homemade Delight: Create a rich, creamy pumpkin spice hot chocolate with basic pantry ingredients, eliminating the need for complicated store-bought mixes.
  • Family-Friendly Treat: Craft a delicious drink that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal shared experience during gatherings or quiet evenings at home.

Ingredients Needed For Chicken Taco Soup

For the Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that provides the hearty base for the soup.
  • Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the soup's rich and comforting foundation.
  • Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds a zesty and slightly spicy element to the soup.
For the Vegetables:
  • Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth and sweetness to the soup's flavor profile.
  • Jalapeno: Optional ingredient that brings a spicy kick for those who enjoy heat.
  • Corn: Sweet and textural vegetable that adds a burst of freshness to the soup.
For the Seasonings and Extras:
  • Taco Seasoning, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder: Spice blend that gives the soup its signature Mexican-inspired flavor.
  • Black Beans: Protein-rich legume that adds texture and nutritional value.
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and building the soup's initial flavor base.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
  • Lime Juice: Bright, citrusy element that adds a fresh and tangy finish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings for adjusting the soup's overall taste.
  • Cilantro: Fresh herb used as a garnish to add brightness and color.

How To Prepare Chicken Taco Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in:
  • Diced onion
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped green bell pepper
  • Chopped red bell pepper
  • Sliced jalapeno (optional)

Saute these vibrant veggies until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Soup Base

Pour in all remaining ingredients:
  • Chicken broth
  • Diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • Black beans
  • Corn kernels
  • Shredded chicken
  • Taco seasoning
  • Ground cumin
  • Chili powder

Stir everything together, blending the spices and ingredients thoroughly.

Step 3: Simmer and Develop Rich Flavors

Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then lower the heat.

Let it gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing all the delicious flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 4: Final Flavor Boost

Season with salt and pepper to match your taste preferences.

Squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup just before serving to add a bright, tangy kick.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Top with fresh cilantro and your favorite garnishes like:
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheese
  • Crispy tortilla strips
  • Sliced avocado

Helpful Tips For Chicken Taco Soup

  • Swap jalapeños for milder green chilies if you prefer less heat in the soup.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for an even quicker and easier meal prep option.
  • Freeze leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Boost protein by adding a can of drained black beans or quinoa for extra nutrition.
  • Customize toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips to make each bowl unique and personalized.

Flavorful Twists For Chicken Taco Soup

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, perfect for busy days and hands-off meal preparation.
  • Spicy Mexican Green Chicken Soup: Replace diced tomatoes with salsa verde, add extra jalapeños, and use green chili peppers for an intense, zesty flavor profile.
  • Creamy White Chicken Taco Soup: Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream during the last 5 minutes of cooking, creating a rich and velvety texture with classic taco seasonings.
  • Vegetarian Black Bean Soup: Swap chicken with additional black beans, use vegetable broth, and add extra protein like quinoa or diced bell peppers for a meat-free version.

Ideal Pairings For Chicken Taco Soup

  • Nacho Dip Delight: Crumble tortilla chips into bowls, pour hot soup over chips, top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and extra jalapeños for a crunchy, layered experience.
  • Burrito Bowl Transformation: Serve soup over fluffy white rice, sprinkle with crispy tortilla strips, add sliced avocado and a dollop of fresh salsa for a hearty meal.
  • Bread Bowl Comfort: Hollow out round sourdough bread, ladle soup inside, letting the bread soak up all the delicious flavors while creating an edible serving vessel.

Proper Storage Advice For Chicken Taco Soup

  • Store leftover chicken taco soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date and contents.
  • Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Ensure the soup reaches 165°F before serving to kill any potential bacteria.

FAQs

  • Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild to medium heat level. The jalapeno and taco seasoning add some kick, but you can adjust the spiciness by reducing or omitting the jalapeno and using a mild taco seasoning.

  • Can I make this soup with other meats?

Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with ground beef, turkey, or even shredded pork. Each meat will bring a unique flavor to the soup.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check your taco seasoning and broth labels to ensure they don’t contain gluten. Use certified gluten-free products if needed.

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Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Simmering with Mexican-inspired flavors, this chicken taco soup brings comfort and zest to dinner tables. Hearty ingredients and quick preparation make it a perfect weeknight meal for hungry families seeking bold, satisfying flavors.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cans (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, tortilla chips, sliced jalapenos

Instructions

  1. Sauté diced onion, garlic, green and red bell peppers, and optional jalapeño in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and tender.
  2. Pour chicken broth into the pot and add diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, shredded chicken, taco seasoning, ground cumin, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
  3. Increase heat to high and bring soup to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, which helps develop rich, complex flavors.
  4. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to preference. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the pot just moments before serving to enhance the bright, zesty profile.
  5. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro and optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or crispy tortilla strips for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or using mild/hot taco seasoning for personalized spice preferences.
  • Swap chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or black beans for a vegetarian version that maintains hearty texture and flavor profile.
  • Enhance nutrition by incorporating additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach during sautéing stage for extra vitamins and fiber boost.
  • Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for convenient meal prep, maintaining soup’s robust taste and texture for up to 3 months when properly stored.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 190 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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