Chicken Tortilla Soup is a wonderfully flavorful and comforting dish, perfect for any day of the week. Here's an easy crockpot version that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum taste.
Ingredients:
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
Optional Toppings:
Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream
Diced avocado
Additional lime wedges
Instructions:
Prep Ingredients:
Begin by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. This ensures they stay submerged and cook evenly.
Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with their juice, and diced green chiles on top of the chicken.
Add the Seasonings:
Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper over the ingredients. These spices will give your soup a delicious depth of flavor.
Pour in the Chicken Broth:
Gently pour the chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring there's enough liquid to cover most of the contents.
Cook the Soup:
Cover the crockpot with its lid. Set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The soup is done when the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Shred the Chicken:
Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot. Shred them using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the soup. Stir well to distribute the chicken evenly throughout.
Add Lime Juice:
Squeeze the fresh lime juice into the soup and stir. This adds a bright, fresh flavor that balances the richness of the broth.
Serve:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and add tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
Offer additional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and extra lime wedges on the side so everyone can customize their bowl.
This crockpot chicken tortilla soup is not only easy to make but also incredibly satisfying and packed with flavor. It's the perfect meal to come home to after a long day, especially during colder weather. Enjoy!