This super easy crockpot tortilla soup is simple, wholesome, and great for meal prep. Slow cooker tortilla soup is one of our favorite crockpot soup recipes.

You can make each bowl unique with a variety of toppings!
I'd never had tortilla soup, so I gave Stephanie‘s Crockpot Tortilla Soup a try. I tweaked it a little for my family (this is a less-spicy version so my kids will eat it). Now our Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup is one of our favorites, and it's in the rotation.
This is one of those recipes that is nice and warm (and healthy) for cold winter days. It's family friendly, easy to make, and perfect for sharing!
Can I use any Crockpot to make this recipe?
You can! I like to use a 6 or 8 quart version so that there's plenty of room. Feel free to scale the recipe up or down to suit your needs.
You can also use an Instant Pot on the slow cooker setting or a pot on the stovetop if you prefer to do things that way!

Here's what you'll need to make this simple soup recipe:
This recipe uses simple ingredients. Chicken, you can use thighs or breasts, some celery, onion, corn, carrots. We will also need RoTel tomatoes and green chilies, cloves, crushed red pepper flakes. To add flavor we use some cumin, chicken broth, and some salt and pepper to taste.
You can also add some sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips. Tortilla strips and anything else you might like on a taco will go well too!
How to make chicken and broth for this tortilla soup:
I've made this Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup twice now doing a two-step process. That way takes 2 days (or one long day).
Usually I buy the .98/lb chicken thighs (bone-in), and cook them in the crockpot with a little onion, carrots, celery. I use 6 cups of water.
Then I let that cook for 8 hours on low. Then that gives me homemade chicken broth plus a bunch of cooked meat. It takes only 2 thighs to get 1 cup of cooked chicken.
Then I freeze the cooked shredded chicken and use it for quesadillas, salads, or soups.
Printable Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup Recipe:
Here is a printable version of our finished slow cooker tortilla soup. It's great for saving for use at a later date or just for a one-page way to see what you need and how to make the recipe.
Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

This easy and delicious slow cooker tortilla soup is perfect for family dinner nights, meal prep, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery and carrots (optional)
- 2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chiles (in lieu of cayenne)
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cumin
- salt to taste
- 3 cups chicken broth
- for garnish: sour cream, shredded cheese, tortilla chips/strips
Instructions
- Dump all ingredients in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10, until onions are tender.
Notes
It tastes even better the next day, if we have leftovers. I serve it with some cornbread on the side.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium, 16 oz
-
OXO Good Grips Nylon Ladle
-
OXO Good Grips 2.5 Qt Glass Bowl
-
Baking Serving Ceramic Red 16 Oz Soup Bowls with Handles - Set of Four
-
Hamilton Beach Extra-Large Stay or Go Portable 10-Quart Slow Cooker
-
Crock-Pot Cook & Carry 6-Quart Oval Portable Manual Slow Cooker | Stainless Steel
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 118Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 486mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 9g
Looking for more slow cooker and crockpot recipes?
I'm sure it's no surprise to you, but the Crockpot is a great way to make life easier. It can also make your life less stressful!
These other slow cooker recipes will help you fill out your meal plans. Add to your recipe rotation without adding any extra work to your already busy schedule!
Amy
Monday 23rd of April 2012
how many thighs do you put in with the 6 cups of water?
Gina
Monday 23rd of April 2012
I just squeeze in as many as will fit! Usually the big pack is 3-4 lbs, so I use almost all of them in my 6qt slow cooker.
Meal Plan Monday: Slow Cooker Week
Monday 23rd of April 2012
[...] Thursday–Italian Sloppy Joes (trying out a new recipe), homemade fries, leftover salad Friday–Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup, cornbread Saturday–Pesto Chicken Sandwiches, sweet potato fries, [...]
Meal Plan Monday: 2-week plan with New Meals
Monday 13th of February 2012
[...] Spinach Pie, GF cornbread muffins for me, garlic breadsticks for the family, salad Tuesday–Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, leftover GF cornbread muffins and garlic breadsticks Wednesday–Brown Sugar Pork Chops with [...]
arria
Friday 13th of January 2012
Dude--- you are alllll over Pinterest!!!!
Gina
Tuesday 3rd of January 2012
Arria, I've used all kinds of chicken broth--cubes, powder, canned/boxed or homemade. Just 3 cups however you get it! :)