Quick & Zesty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe Everyone Will Love

Hearty chicken taco soup promises a flavor explosion that’ll warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Colorful ingredients dance together in a single pot, creating magic with minimal effort.

Southwest spices whisper bold stories of comfort and zest.

Tender chicken mingles with beans, corn, and tomatoes for a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, this soup delivers satisfaction in every spoonful.

Gather your ingredients and let’s turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience you won’t forget.

Chicken Taco Soup FAQ List

• Is this soup spicy?

The ranch and taco seasonings provide mild flavor with a slight kick, but not overwhelming heat. Adjust spiciness by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning.

• Can I use different beans?

Absolutely! Swap black and kidney beans with pinto, great northern, or cannellini beans based on your preference or pantry availability.

• What if I don't have fresh chicken?

Rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken works perfectly. Simply add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking to warm through.

• Do I need to use fresh lime juice?

Fresh lime juice adds brightness, but bottled lime juice is an acceptable substitute if fresh isn’t available. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

What Makes Chicken Taco Soup So Satisfying

• Boost Nutrition with Ease: Packed with protein-rich chicken, hearty beans, and vibrant vegetables, this soup delivers a nutritional powerhouse in every spoonful.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible toppings like cheese, sour cream, and avocado let you personalize the soup to match your taste preferences and mood.
• One-Pot Wonder Meal: Minimal cleanup and simple cooking steps make this recipe a stress-free solution for busy home cooks seeking delicious, satisfying meals.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or casual potlucks, this soup brings everyone together with its bold, zesty flavors.

What Ingredients Go In Chicken Taco Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Whole chicken breasts form the hearty protein base of this soup and will be shredded to create tender meat pieces.
• Black Beans, Kidney Beans: These beans add extra protein and create a rich, filling texture to the soup.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: These aromatic vegetables provide a flavor foundation and depth to the soup's overall taste profile.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and pungent flavor that enhances the soup's complexity.
• Diced Tomatoes, Green Chiles: These ingredients contribute brightness, acidity, and a mild spicy kick to the soup.
• Corn Kernels: Sweet corn adds a fresh and slightly crunchy element to the soup.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and creating a smooth cooking base.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich, savory liquid foundation for the soup.
• Taco Seasoning, Ranch Seasoning Mix: These blended seasonings deliver a complex and zesty flavor profile.
• Lime Juice: Adds a fresh, citrusy brightness that balances the soup's flavors.
• Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Avocado, Tortilla Chips: Optional toppings that enhance the soup's taste and presentation.

How To Make Chicken Taco Soup The Easy Way

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables become fragrant and slightly softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Protein and Seasonings

Drop whole chicken breasts into the pot. Sprinkle taco and ranch seasonings generously over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 3: Create Liquid Base

Pour chicken broth into the pot. Stir to blend seasonings and liquid, forming a rich foundation for the soup.

Step 4: Build Soup Layers

• Diced tomatoes
• Green chiles
• Black beans
• Kidney beans

Maintain a steady medium heat while mixing ingredients.

Step 5: Simmer and Cook

Cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken breasts are fully cooked and easily shreddable.

Step 6: Shred the Chicken

Remove chicken breasts from the soup. Using two forks, pull apart the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken to the pot.

Step 7: Final Flavor Boost

Mix in corn kernels and fresh lime juice. Continue simmering for 5 more minutes to blend flavors completely.

Step 8: Taste and Adjust

Sample the soup. Tweak seasonings as needed to achieve a balanced, robust flavor profile.

Step 9: Serve with Flair

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced avocado

Accompany with crispy tortilla chips on the side.

Tips That Help With Chicken Taco Soup

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add an extra splash of lime juice just before serving to brighten the soup's overall taste profile and enhance freshness.
• Control Soup Consistency: Adjust chicken broth quantity to achieve desired thickness – less liquid for a heartier soup, more for a lighter version.
• Simplify Meal Prep: Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and deepen overnight.
• Customize Spice Levels: Modify taco and ranch seasoning amounts or choose mild/hot variants to match personal heat tolerance and preference.

Tasty Changes For Chicken Taco Soup

• Low-Carb Southwest Chicken Soup: Replace beans and corn with cauliflower rice and zucchini chunks for a lower-carbohydrate version that maintains the hearty southwestern flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Southwest Soup: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth while keeping the original seasoning blend for authentic taste.
• Instant Pot Quick Version: Transfer all ingredients into an Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then quick release and shred chicken, reducing overall preparation and cooking time significantly.
• Dairy-Free Option: Eliminate cheese and sour cream toppings, replacing them with nutritional yeast and cashew cream for comparable richness without dairy components.

What To Pair With Chicken Taco Soup

• Pair Zesty Citrus Margarita: Mix tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur for a tangy cocktail that complements the soup's spicy Mexican flavors.
• Enhance Crisp Corn Tortilla Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, corn tortilla strips, and a lime-cilantro vinaigrette to balance the hearty soup.
• Boost Creamy Guacamole Starter: Prepare fresh guacamole with ripe avocados, diced tomatoes, and a hint of jalapeño to provide a cool, creamy contrast to the warm soup.
• Elevate Mexican Amber Ale Pairing: Select a smooth, malty Mexican beer like Modelo Amber to cut through the soup's richness and enhance its southwestern spices.

How To Keep Chicken Taco Soup Fresh

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick, warming until it reaches 165°F.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals.

Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken taco soup brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables with rich, zesty flavors dancing through each spoonful. Packed with tender chicken, robust spices, and colorful vegetables, this soup delivers a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large onion
• 2 bell peppers
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (4 oz) green chiles

Spices and Liquids:

• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lime, juiced

Optional Toppings:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Tortilla chips for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until vegetables become fragrant and slightly softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Add whole chicken breasts to the pot, then sprinkle taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix directly over the meat, ensuring even coverage.
3. Pour chicken broth into the pot, stirring to combine seasonings and incorporate the liquid, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, green chiles, black beans, and kidney beans into the mixture, maintaining a steady medium heat.
5. Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken breasts are completely cooked through and can be easily shredded.
6. Remove chicken breasts from the soup and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, then return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
7. Stir in corn kernels and fresh lime juice, letting the soup continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor profile.
9. Serve hot in bowls, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, and crispy tortilla chips on the side.

Notes

• Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer, more tender meat that adds deeper flavor complexity to the soup.
• Swap out ranch and taco seasonings with homemade spice blends to control sodium and customize taste preferences.
• Drain and rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce excess sodium and prevent potential digestive discomfort.
• For gluten-free version, verify seasoning mixes are certified gluten-free and replace traditional tortilla chips with corn-based alternatives.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg