Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Published: Feb 15, 2024 · Modified: May 12, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share75
    Pin79
    Post
    Email
    Share
    154Shares
    154Shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This creamy chicken tortilla soup with cream cheese is a savory meal with rich flavors we and a satisfying texture. It's as versatile as it is delicious and you can make the dish uniquely yours with all of the options. This one-pot wonder is an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend treat.

    A spoon dipping into a bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup.

    This was inspired by my slow cooker turkey tortilla soup and pairs well with many of the recipes found in what to serve with soup for dinner.

    Why You Will Love Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

    • Crowd Pleaser. Everyone loves the combination of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors from kids and adults alike. This will become a family favorite in no time.
    • Versatile Recipe. You can easily change it up to use ingredients you have on hand or to make it to your tastes.
    • Warming and Comforting. Perfect for colder months you'll love everything from the tender chicken to crispy tortilla strips.

    Ingredients

    Here's a look at the simple ingredients to make this creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe.

    Ingredients to make cheesy chicken tortilla soup on the counter before making.
    • Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless and skinless to keep prep at a minimum. If you prefer, chicken thighs will work great too.
    • Chicken Broth: The foundation of this soup but you can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup or use beef broth for richer flavor.
    • Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Essential canned goods to give your soup traditional Mexican flavors.
    • Black Beans: Add some protein and make the soup heartier. You can also use pinto or kidney beans instead.
    • Corn: Adds a bit of sweetness. Canned or frozen both work well.
    • Taco Seasoning: An easy option for seasoning the soup quickly.
    • Red Bell Pepper: For color and a hint of sweetness.
    • Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and a bit of tang. You can use heavy cream or sour cream instead if you prefer though the flavor and texture may change slightly.
    • Toppings: Use any that you love! Fresh cilantro, tortilla chips, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, fresh lime, or green chiles are some of my favorite options.

    See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and the exact quantities of each ingredient.

    Variations

    • Spicy: Add a bit of diced fresh jalapeno pepper, canned green chiles, smoked paprika, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the soup mixture for a bit of heat.
    • No Tortilla Chips: I have used our recipe for Wonton Crisps and they have worked out great on top of this or any other soup. You'll understand if you give them a try!
    • Add Canned Soup: Cream of chicken soup can be used to thicken and add creaminess to the texture.
    • Veggies: Add a third cup of onion, celery, and carrots along with a cup of zucchini to bulk up the soup and make it packed with veggies. You can easily swap them for ingredients you have in the fridge.

    How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

    This simple soup recipe offers big rewards for very little work. Here's a look at the steps for making it.

    1. Place the chicken breast in the slow cooker, pour in the broth, and add the tomatoes, beans, corn, red pepper, and taco seasoning.
    2. Stir everything together and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
    Ingredients to make slow cooker chicken tortilla soup in the pot to cook.
    Chicken tortilla soup in the crockpot with a wooden spoon stirring it to show chicken.
    1. Add the cream cheese to the pot of soup thirty minutes before you're ready to serve. Stir to melt it into the soup and cook for thirty minutes longer.
    2. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    Creamy chicken tortilla soup in the slow cooker garnished with cilantro and little bowls of toppings around the pot.
    A ladle scooping up a serving of cheesy chicken tortilla soup held up over the slow cooker.

    ⭐️ Hint: The best way to ensure your seasonings, like salt and pepper, are perfect for you is to taste as you go. This allows you to make adjustments along the way.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our chili relleno soup, 15 Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker, Crockpot Hamburger Soup, Salsa con Queso or our Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken.

    A bowl of chicken tortilla soup with cream cheese on the table garnished with tortilla strips, sour cream, and avocado on top.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Store leftover creamy tortilla soup after it's fully cooked in an airtight container for up to four days.
    • Freezer: Place the cooled soup in an airtight, freezer-safe container, or a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2 months without the toppings. Be sure to leave some room for the soup to expand. The cream cheese may appear a bit grainy when the soup is thawed. Thaw it out before reheating.
    • Reheat: Heat the soup in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat until it's heated through. Add liquid as needed if the soup isn't soupy enough. For a quick option, you can use the microwave. Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between each until the soup is heated through.

    What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken tortilla soup pairs wonderfully with a range of sides. Here are some of my favorites:

    • Enjoy with Bread. There's nothing like dipping and scooping so try our cornbread muffins or a crusty air fryer dinner roll into your bowl of soup.
    • Other Options. If bread isn't your thing have a look at our collection of recipes for what to serve with soup besides bread for some wonderful ideas.
    • Toppings. This soup is perfect with your favorite taco and Mexican-inspired toppings! In addition to those listed in the recipe card, you can also try our green salsa or homemade guacamole!
    • Fun Sides. Enjoy some chips and Instant Pot Queso or Taco Egg Rolls.
    A spoon lifting up a bite of chicken tortilla soup over the bowl.

    Tips

    • Season as You Go. The best way to ensure your seasonings, like salt and pepper, are perfect for you is to taste as you go.
    • Rinse the Beans. Give them a quick rinse in a strainer to remove any residue.
    • Add Toppings. Garnish generously and top your soup with an assortment of garnishes to add flavor and color.
    • Use Fresh Spices: Ensure your spices are fresh, as they lose potency over time.
    • Room Temperature Cream Cheese: As well as cut it into small pieces so it will melt much easier and more quickly.

    FAQ

    Can I make chicken tortilla soup vegetarian?

    Absolutely. Replace chicken with additional beans or tofu and use vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth.

    How can I thicken my chicken tortilla soup?

    You can thicken it by blending or pureeing some of the beans or corn before adding them to the soup.

    Can I make this soup on the stovetop?

    Yes, you can! It takes just 40 minutes to make it on the stove. Add all the ingredients except for the chicken and cream cheese to the pot. Simmer soup on medium-low for 20 minutes. Add the cooked leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, cut into chunks or shredded. Once the chicken is blended into the soup add the cream cheese, and cook for 20 minutes longer.

    A bowl of cheesy tortilla soup on the table garnished with cilantro.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Soup Recipes

    Do you like soup? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • White bowl full of one pot lasagna soup with spoon in it.
      One Pot Lasagna Soup
    • A bowl of slow cooker cabbage roll soup on the table with a spoon in the bowl.
      Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup
    • Roasted Vegetable Soup: A Flavorful and Nutritious Delight
    • Mom's Chicken Paprikash Soup Recipe

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A bowl of creamy chicken tortilla soup on the table with another in the background.

    Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup with Cream Cheese

    Karin and Ken
    This creamy chicken tortilla soup with cream cheese is a savory meal with rich flavors and a satisfying texture. It's as versatile as it is delicious and you can make the dish uniquely yours with all of the options. This one-pot wonder is an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend treat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 611 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • large slow cooker or large saucepan simmered for 1 ½-2 hours on low
    • wooden spoon
    • cutting board
    • Sharp knife

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound chicken breast boneless, skinless
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 2 cans (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles with juice
    • 1 can (15 oz) black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
    • 1 red pepper diced
    • 1 pkg (1 oz) taco seasoning
    • 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese Substitute with a ¼ cup of heavy cream.

    Toppings or Garnish

    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
    • ⅓ cup sour cream
    • 1 bag (3 oz) Tortilla chips or corn chips
    • 1 avocado diced or sliced
    • 1 ½ cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
    • ⅓ cup Pico de Gallo drained or diced tomatoes
    • 1 lime cut into wedges or lime juice
    • 1 can (4.5 oz) green chilies or chopped jalapenos
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken breast in the slow cooker, pour in the broth, add the tomatoes, beans, corn, red pepper and taco seasoning.
    • Set on high for 2 hours or low for 4.
    • Thirty minutes before serving, stir in the cream cheese, until melted.
    • Serve with your favorite toppings.

    Video

    Notes

    • Season as You Go. The best way to ensure your seasonings, like salt and pepper, are perfect for you is to taste as you go.
    • Rinse the Beans. Give them a quick rinse in a strainer to remove any residue.
    • Add Toppings. Garnish generously and top your soup with an assortment of garnishes to add flavor and color.
    • Use Fresh Spices: Ensure your spices are fresh, as they lose potency over time.
    • Room Temperature Cream Cheese: As well as cut it into small pieces so it will melt much easier and more quickly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 611kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 37gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1245mgPotassium: 1186mgFiber: 13gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2457IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 328mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword cheesy chicken tortilla soup, creamy chicken tortilla soup, creamy tortilla soup, slow cooker chicken tortilla soup
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published February 2020. It's been updated with new images and new content.

    Share75
    Pin79
    Post
    Email
    Share
    154Shares
    154Shares

    More Soups and Stews

    • Thai carrot ginger soup in a bowl with a spoon.
      Sweet and Spicy Thai Carrot Soup
    • Slow cooker chicken broth in a mason jar.
      Slow Cooker Chicken Broth From Rotisserie Chicken
    • A white bowl filled with of corn and potato chowder with a spoon in it about to grab a scoop.
      Corn and Potato Chowder
    • A pair of tongs holding slow cooker flank steak up over a plate of mashed potatoes.
      Easy Slow Cooker Flank Steak

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Summer Salads!

    • Cucumber and onion salad in vinegar in a bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar
    • Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
      Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    • Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)
    • A bowl of creamy cucumber salad.
      Creamy Cucumber Salad

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • Orange fluff salad in a teal colored bowl on a table with marshmallows and mandarin oranges around the bowl.
      Orange Fluff Salad
    • A slice of cherry cream cheese pie on a plate.
      Cherry Cream Cheese Pie (No Bake)

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved