The Best Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a delightful chicken taco soup can transform an ordinary evening into a flavor-packed adventure.

Aromatic spices swirl through this hearty dish, promising comfort in every spoonful.

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

Mexican-inspired ingredients dance harmoniously, creating a meal that satisfies deep hunger and culinary curiosity.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you bring this soup to the table.

Simple pantry staples merge effortlessly to produce a robust, warming experience.

Savor each bite and let this soul-warming soup become your new go-to meal.

Easy and Delicious Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

• Satisfy Hunger Quickly: This chicken taco soup delivers a complete meal packed with protein and veggies in just one pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup and saving precious cooking time.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The blend of taco seasoning, salsa, and multiple beans creates a robust, zesty taste that appeals to both adults and kids, making it a versatile dish for family dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible toppings like cheese, avocado, and tortilla chips allow everyone to personalize their bowl, turning a simple soup into an interactive dining experience that keeps meals exciting.
• Meal Prep Champion: The recipe can be prepared in advance, stores well in the refrigerator, and reheats perfectly, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or preparing lunches for the week.

Ingredients for Simple Chicken Taco Soup

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Protein-rich meat that provides the hearty base for this delicious soup.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the soup's comforting and warm foundation.
• Taco Seasoning: Spice blend that adds authentic Mexican-inspired flavor to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that build a deep, savory flavor profile for the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy ingredient that adds moisture and tangy richness to the soup.
• Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Corn: Nutritious and colorful beans and vegetables that provide texture and additional flavor.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat used to sauté vegetables and brown the chicken.
• Salsa: Zesty sauce that enhances the overall taste and adds extra spice to the soup.
• Shredded Cheese, Diced Avocado, Fresh Cilantro, Tortilla Chips: Optional toppings that allow for personalization and added texture.

Stepwise Instructions for Chicken Taco Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame.

Add diced onions and cook until they become translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.

Toss in minced garlic and cook for another minute, releasing its fragrant aroma.

Step 2: Brown the Protein

Add chicken pieces to the pot, cooking until they develop a golden-brown exterior on all sides.

This process helps lock in flavor and create a rich base for the soup.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken, thoroughly coating each piece.

Use your cooking utensil to mix and ensure even distribution of spices.

Step 4: Create the Soup Liquid

• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Corn kernels
• Chicken broth
• Salsa

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Shred and Integrate Chicken

Remove chicken from the pot and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Return shredded chicken to the soup and stir to combine.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

• Shredded cheese
• Diced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips

Enjoy your hearty and flavorful chicken taco soup!

Tips for Enhancing Your Chicken Taco Soup

• Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, easy-to-shred meat that absorbs the taco seasoning perfectly.
• Toast the taco seasoning briefly in the pot before adding chicken to release its aromatic oils and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Avoid overcooking the chicken by monitoring its internal temperature, which should reach 165°F for safe consumption while maintaining moisture.
• Adjust the heat by selecting mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning and salsa to match your preferred spiciness without overwhelming the dish.
• Swap chicken with plant-based protein like black beans, quinoa, or tofu, and use vegetable broth to create a delicious meat-free version of the soup.

Variations to Switch Up Chicken Taco Soup

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like black beans, tofu, or tempeh for a meat-free version that maintains the rich, hearty flavors of the original recipe.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, or a dash of cayenne pepper to increase heat and create a more intense, fiery soup experience.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Substitute beans with cauliflower or zucchini, use a low-carb salsa, and serve over cauliflower rice to make the soup compatible with ketogenic dietary needs.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients except chicken to a slow cooker, add browned chicken, and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off, convenient meal preparation method.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Taco Soup

• Fiesta Bowl Presentation: Create a vibrant taco soup bowl with colorful toppings, making each serving a festive celebration of flavors and textures.
• Nacho Dipping Delight: Serve the soup alongside crispy tortilla chips for guests to scoop and enjoy, turning the meal into an interactive dining experience.
• Southwestern Comfort Plate: Pair the soup with warm cornbread or a fresh green salad to balance the rich, hearty soup and add extra nutritional value to the meal.
• Garnish Galore Station: Set up a topping bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and lime wedges, allowing everyone to customize their soup exactly how they like it.

How to Store Chicken Taco Soup Properly

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain flavor quality.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy tracking.
• Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat on high in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

FAQs

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken instead of cooking it in the pot?

Yes, you can use rotisserie or leftover chicken. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the soup during the last 5 minutes of simmering to heat it through.

• Is this soup spicy?

The spice level depends on the taco seasoning and salsa you use. Choose mild versions if you prefer less heat, or opt for spicy ingredients if you like a kick.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the chicken and sauté onions first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken taco soup delivers Mexican-inspired comfort in one delicious bowl. Zesty spices, tender chicken, and rich broth create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn kernels, drained

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade)
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) salsa (mild, medium, or hot)

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, sautéing diced onions until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
2. Introduce chicken pieces to the pot, browning evenly on all surfaces to develop rich, caramelized exterior.
3. Generously coat chicken with taco seasoning, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
4. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, corn, chicken broth, and salsa into the pot. Elevate heat to boiling point, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld together.
5. Extract chicken from the liquid, utilizing two forks to meticulously shred into tender, bite-sized pieces. Reintroduce shredded meat back into the simmering soup, stirring to integrate thoroughly.
6. Ladle steaming soup into serving bowls, creating a vibrant canvas for optional garnishes like shredded cheese, diced avocado, fresh cilantro sprigs, and crispy tortilla chips to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Use boneless, skinless chicken for quicker cooking and easier shredding.
• Swap chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
• Control spice levels by adjusting taco seasoning or using a mild salsa for sensitive palates.
• Meal prep friendly: store in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, flavors intensify overnight.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg