This slow cooker chicken taco soup is a delightful fusion of flavors that brings the essence of a taco into a comforting soup. Perfect for busy days, this recipe requires minimal preparation and allows the slow cooker to do all the work. The result is a hearty and satisfying meal that is both nutritious and delicious. Whether you're serving it for a family dinner or a casual gathering, this soup is sure to be a hit with everyone.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are pantry staples, but if you don't usually stock taco seasoning, you might need to pick up a packet from the spice aisle. Additionally, ensure you have a can of diced tomatoes and chicken broth on hand, as these are essential for creating the soup's rich base. The rest, like black beans and corn, are common canned goods that are easy to find.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these provide the protein base for the soup.
Black beans: Drained and rinsed, they add a hearty texture and are a great source of fiber.
Corn: Drained, it adds a touch of sweetness and color to the soup.
Diced tomatoes: These canned tomatoes bring a tangy flavor and help form the soup's base.
Taco seasoning: A blend of spices that gives the soup its distinctive taco flavor.
Chicken broth: This liquid base enhances the soup's flavor and ensures a rich consistency.
Technique Tip for Perfecting This Soup
To enhance the flavor of your chicken taco soup, consider searing the chicken breasts in a hot pan with a bit of oil before placing them in the slow cooker. This step adds a layer of depth to the dish by caramelizing the surface of the chicken, which can enrich the overall taste of the soup. Additionally, try using homemade taco seasoning for a personalized touch, allowing you to control the spice level and adjust the flavors to your liking.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless turkey breasts: Turkey has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a great alternative in soups.
boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, firm tofu provides protein and absorbs the flavors of the soup well.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable replacement.
black beans - Substitute with kidney beans: Kidney beans offer a hearty texture and can easily replace black beans in soups.
corn - Substitute with frozen corn: Frozen corn retains its sweetness and texture, making it a convenient substitute for canned corn.
corn - Substitute with hominy: Hominy provides a unique texture and flavor, adding a different dimension to the soup.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes offer a similar flavor with a slightly smoother texture.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with fresh tomatoes: Chopped fresh tomatoes can be used for a fresher taste, though the texture may vary slightly.
taco seasoning - Substitute with homemade taco seasoning: Mixing chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano can replicate the flavor of store-bought seasoning.
taco seasoning - Substitute with fajita seasoning: Fajita seasoning has a similar spice blend and can be used as an alternative.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar base flavor, suitable for vegetarian versions of the soup.
chicken broth - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth offers a richer flavor, which can add depth to the soup.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Soup
How to Store or Freeze This Soup
Allow the chicken taco soup to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the container, which can lead to a watery soup.
Transfer the soup into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers. This makes reheating a breeze and ensures you only thaw what you need.
If using bags, lay them flat in the freezer. This not only saves space but also speeds up the freezing and thawing process.
Label each container or bag with the date and contents. This is especially helpful if you have multiple soups or dishes stored, ensuring you enjoy your chicken taco soup at its freshest.
For optimal flavor and texture, consume the soup within 3 months of freezing. While it remains safe to eat beyond this period, the quality may begin to decline.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gentle thawing method helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches your desired temperature. Alternatively, use the microwave, heating in intervals and stirring in between to ensure even warming.
If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to achieve your preferred consistency.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm your chicken taco soup on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent sticking. This method preserves the flavors and textures, making it taste as if it just came out of the slow cooker.
Use the microwave for a quick reheat. Place a portion of the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to distribute the heat evenly.
If you have the time, return the soup to the slow cooker. Set it on low and let it warm gently for about an hour. This method is perfect if you want to keep the soup warm for a longer period, such as during a gathering.
For a creative twist, pour the soup into a pot and add a splash of cream or coconut milk for a creamy variation. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
If you have an air fryer with a reheat function, place a heatproof dish with the soup inside and set it to reheat at 300°F for about 10 minutes. This method can give a slightly roasted flavor to the corn and tomatoes.
Essential Tools for Making This Soup
Slow cooker: A countertop electrical appliance used for cooking food at a low temperature over a long period, perfect for making soups and stews.
Can opener: A handheld tool used to open metal cans, essential for accessing the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
Measuring cup: A kitchen utensil used to measure liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients, useful for ensuring the correct amount of chicken broth is added.
Mixing spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring ingredients together, especially helpful when combining the shredded chicken back into the soup.
Tongs: A tool used for gripping and lifting, useful for removing the chicken breasts from the slow cooker before shredding.
Cutting board: A durable board on which to place chicken breasts for shredding, providing a stable surface for cutting.
Fork: A utensil with tines used for shredding the cooked chicken breasts into smaller pieces before returning them to the soup.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop and measure chicken breasts, black beans, and corn the night before to streamline your morning routine.
Use canned goods: Opt for canned diced tomatoes and chicken broth to cut down on prep time.
Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Shred chicken easily: Use a hand mixer to shred the chicken breasts quickly after cooking.
Set and forget: Use a programmable slow cooker to start cooking while you're away, ensuring a ready meal when you return.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 can Black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can Corn drained
- 1 can Diced tomatoes
- 1 packet Taco seasoning
- 1 can Chicken broth
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
- Pour chicken broth over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Remove chicken breasts, shred them, and return to the slow cooker. Stir well.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Appetizers and Desserts to Complement This Soup
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