Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

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.

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.

• 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.

3. 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.
4. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

⭐️ 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.

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.

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

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

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