Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This easy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a comforting slow cooker meal made with pantry staples and simple ingredients —perfect for cozy dinners, busy weeknights, or feeding a crowd.

I came across this recipe one afternoon years ago while scrolling for some easy meal ideas. As per usual I got the gist and turned it into my own ‘Mindy version’ but for the most part the heart of the recipe is the same. (If I could find where the original version came from, I would tell you but unfortunately, I don’t remember🤦‍♀️)

This filling, warm and creamy soup has become one of our family’s tried and true recipes that gets pulled out anytime I need a fast easy dinner on a cold gloomy night. Nebraska winters can get kind of long sometimes and this meal always hits the spot after a long day on the farm whether we’ve been in the barn or out in our Farmers Market Shop with customers.

Want to see it step by step? Check out the video below

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Why This Is the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup for Busy Nights?

Part of what make this recipe such a winner is that all the ingredients are typically things that I always keep stocked in my pantry year-round. The only thing that isn’t a normal “from scratch” item is the packet of ranch seasoning mix. I’m sure you could probably play around with seasonings and eliminate that if you really wanted too, but so far, I’ve always had one around, so I just add the premixed package in for ease.

A Real-Life Approach to Healthy Comfort Food

We do try hard to keep the majority of our food sources and ingredients as healthy as possible but sometimes it’s important to remember that stress is a killer too. Sadly, our world is just in a day-and-age where you could do everything “perfectly” and you still aren’t going to have a perfect environment or perfect health all the time. While striving to do our best and feed our families well is important, it’s just as important to be able to rest and digest –which your body literally can’t do well when you are in stress mode (aka fight or flight).

Our household has adopted the 80/20 method. Eighty percent of the time we try to do the best we can with the time, money and resources we’ve been given. Twenty percent of the time we just live life open handed and enjoy the moment we are in without tracking all the ways this world is trying to kill us. Remember this, friend: You get to make your home your very own happy place. Fill it with the things that heal and nourish not just your body but also your soul.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (in a slow cooker)

Tips to Make It Even Better

✔ Taco Seasoning: Homemade Version
Exact measurements are up to the chef—use these herbs and spices as a guide and adjust amounts to fit your personal taste preferences. (You can always taste at the end and add a little more of whatever feels right; cooking from the heart is meant to be flexible )
— Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Dried Oregano, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Salt, & Black Pepper

✔ Precook the Chicken and Get Homemade Broth
Check out my video on how to cook a whole frozen chicken in an Instant Pot to get some juicy and tender shredded chicken AND some homemade chicken broth at the same time!!

Need Dinner Fast? 30-Minute Stovetop Method

Need dinner in 30 min or less? Grab some fully cooked chicken, shred or chop, add ALL ingredients to your soup pot at once and simmer for 15-30 min until everything is warm and the cream cheese is all melted and mixed in. One pot and done!

Ready to Make It?

I added the full recipe card below for easy printing, saving, or pinning. The recipe card includes the measurements, step-by-step instructions, and substitutions if you need them. (Or grab the pretty printable recipe card here.)

These are the leak proof mason jar lids I love for storing soup leftovers in the fridge.
If you’re an Amazon shopper, here’s a super easy shopping list for this recipe. I’m in the process of getting a new crockpot and decided to snag a fun color —if it’s going to sit on the counter for at least a few hours at a time, might as well be a pretty color!

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just trying to get a comforting meal on the table, I hope this Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup becomes one of those go-to recipes you reach for again and again. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how you made it your own in the comments below. Here’s to simple, delicious meals and full bowls!

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Q: What if I’m in a hurry and don’t remember to throw this in the crockpot earlier in the day?

You can absolutely shortcut this recipe by using pre-cooked chicken and throwing all your ingredients in a soup pot on the stove at the same time. Make sure to add your cream cheese right away as well and then warm everything up together and simmer for 15 to 30 minutes to incorporate all your flavors.

Q: How well do leftovers from the soup store in the fridge or freezer?

I have stored leftovers of the soup both in the fridge or freezer. I have frozen it just in a Ziploc bag once it’s cooled off and it reheats great on the stove! If you choose to store it in the fridge, I recommend a glass jar and eating it within one week’s time. If it is thicker, then you’d like, you can always add a little bit more chicken broth when you reheat it to thin and revive the soup.

Q: Can you use other pieces of chicken besides the boneless skinless chicken breast or strips?

Yes! You can use other cuts of chicken. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you will need to be able to fish it out and if it does have bones or skin, remove that as well as cutting it into bite sized pieces before you return it to the soup.

Q: What if I only have frozen corn and not canned corn?

You can substitute frozen corn very easily. I usually use a small bag and then just keep in mind you may need to add a little extra chicken broth to make up for the missing liquid out of the cans of corn. The flavor will still be delicious.

Q: What if I want it to have a little bit of a kick?

As always, adjust and spice up recipes to your personal flavor preferences! For this recipe you could get the spicier variety of Rotel, you could add some jalapeños, top with pepper jack cheese, or even add a few shakes of hot sauce. If you find something you love, drop a comment here and share it with the rest of us!

Q: Could I use a different variety of beans in this recipe?

I personally have never tried it, but I bet great northern beans would be a good substitute for one of the cans of black beans or possibly even both. Keep in mind whatever kind of beans you do, you will need to rinse them off. Black beans are nice because they have a good hearty texture to them but aren’t so big that they take over every bite on your spoon. If you substitute one or two of the cans with white great northern beans, it would make for an extra creamy soup texture. Hmm, now that I’m thinking about this, I may actually have to give that a try too!