Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
If you’re in the mood for something nourishing, zesty, and impossibly easy, let me introduce you to my absolute weeknight hero: Easy Chicken Taco Soup. With just a handful of pantry staples and some leftover or rotisserie chicken, you can whip up a pot of this satisfying, flavor-loaded soup in no time. It’s comforting, colorful, and endlessly customizable — the sort of dish you’ll want to make on repeat whether you’re cooking for the family or just craving an effortless cozy dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Chicken Taco Soup is that every ingredient brings its own unique magic — from creamy black beans to sweet corn and tangy tomatoes. These simple, affordable components work together to create a soup that’s hearty, vibrant, and packed with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and how each ingredient makes all the difference:
- Olive oil: Just a touch coats the bottom of your pot and brings out the sweet earthiness of the onions and garlic.
- Onion: Diced small, it forms the savory foundation of the soup and develops mellow sweetness as it cooks.
- Garlic: Adds an aromatic punch — the secret to that authentic taco flavor is always a little fresh garlic.
- Cooked, shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a fabulous shortcut here, making prep a breeze and adding loads of juicy protein.
- Black beans: Hearty and satisfying, these beans make the soup extra filling and add a creamy bite.
- Corn: Bright pops of sweetness balance all the warm, savory spices in the soup.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: A can of Rotel does double-duty, lending tang, color, and just a hint of gentle heat.
- Tomato sauce: Rounds out the soup with body and rich tomato flavor, tying everything together.
- Taco seasoning: One packet transforms the whole pot with smoky, bold, unmistakable taco taste.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Gives the soup depth while letting you control the saltiness to your preference.
- Salt and pepper: Always to taste — these let you perfect the flavor balance right before serving.
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, avocado, and cilantro — everyone can have their favorite finishing touch!
How to Make Easy Chicken Taco Soup
Step 1: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Start by heating up that olive oil in a large pot set over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, toss in your diced onion and let it cook gently, stirring often, for about 4–5 minutes until it turns soft and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and let it do its thing for just 30 seconds, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering aromatics. This first step builds a tasty foundation for your Easy Chicken Taco Soup.
Step 2: Add the Main Ingredients
Now for the fun part! Into your pot go the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir it all together, making sure every ingredient gets cozy. You’ll already be able to smell how tantalizing this is going to turn out — it’s like taco night in soup form.
Step 3: Simmer and Let the Flavors Mingle
Bring the soup to a steady boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let everything bubble away, uncovered, for 15–20 minutes. This step is essential since it allows all those vibrant flavors to meld into one seriously delicious, unified bowl. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed — every batch is a little different, so you’re in charge!
Step 4: Serve and Top Generously
Ladle your steaming Easy Chicken Taco Soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings. Whether you pile on cheese and sour cream for creaminess, scoop in some creamy avocado, or crunch up tortilla chips for extra fun, you can customize every serving to suit your cravings. Grab a spoon, dig in, and enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Chicken Taco Soup
Garnishes
This soup absolutely shines with a pile of fresh, colorful toppings! Try shredded cheese for gooey richness, a spoonful of cool sour cream, diced avocado for creaminess, bouncy cilantro for freshness, or a handful of crunchy tortilla chips on top. Let everyone mix and match their favorites — it’s the best part of serving Easy Chicken Taco Soup!
Side Dishes
Pair your Easy Chicken Taco Soup with warm cornbread, a crisp green salad, or even a platter of roasted veggies on the side to keep things light and lively. For an even heartier meal, serve up with Mexican rice, cheesy quesadillas, or a handful of warm flour tortillas.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, try serving the soup in mini bread bowls or with the toppings spread out in little bowls for a DIY taco soup bar. Pour smaller servings into mugs for a casual game night, or ladle it over tortilla chips nacho-style for a Tex-Mex twist. This recipe is your canvas — have fun with it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy Chicken Taco Soup stores beautifully, making it an ideal meal prep recipe. Once the soup cools, transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, and the flavors just keep getting better as they mingle in the fridge.
Freezing
This soup freezes like a dream! Let it cool completely, ladle into labeled freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just remember to leave a little space at the top of the container for the soup to expand. Perfect for stash-and-grab lunches or emergency comfort food on a busy day.
Reheating
When you’re ready for a bowl of Easy Chicken Taco Soup, simply thaw frozen soup in the fridge overnight (if frozen), then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir well and add a splash of broth if it seems a bit thick, then load up on fresh toppings before serving.
FAQs
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked shredded chicken?
Absolutely! If you’d like to use raw chicken breasts or thighs, add them to the soup after sautéing the onion and garlic. Simmer until the chicken is fully cooked (about 20–25 minutes), then shred directly in the pot. This way, your soup will be just as tasty!
Is this soup spicy?
As written, Easy Chicken Taco Soup has just a gentle kick thanks to the diced tomatoes with green chilies and taco seasoning. If you prefer something milder, use regular diced tomatoes. If you want more heat, add extra chilies or a pinch of cayenne!
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Definitely! Swap the chicken for extra beans or diced bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and check your taco seasoning to ensure it’s vegetarian. The soup will be just as hearty and full of flavor.
What’s the best way to make this ahead for a party?
Make a big batch a day or two before your event and keep it chilled. Reheat gently on the stove or in a slow cooker, then set out bowls of toppings so guests can customize their Easy Chicken Taco Soup just how they like it!
Do I have to use all the toppings?
No rules here! The toppings are totally optional and customizable. Go heavy on the cheese, add lots of crunch with tortilla chips, or keep it simple — it’s your bowl, your way.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fast, nourishing dinner that brings all the fun and flavor of taco night in soup form, you’ve got to give Easy Chicken Taco Soup a try. It’s one of those effortless recipes you’ll come back to anytime you need a big, cozy hug in a bowl. So gather your ingredients, pile on your favorite toppings, and make dinner something deliciously memorable!
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Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Chicken Taco Soup is a flavorful and comforting one-pot meal that comes together quickly. Packed with shredded chicken, beans, corn, and a blend of Mexican-inspired seasonings, this soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
- Add garlic and chicken: Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add shredded chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve hot with desired toppings like cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or avocado.
Notes
- This soup is great for meal prep and freezes well.
- To make it in a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and cook on low for 4–6 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
