30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (2024)

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November 2, 2021 — last updated October 27, 2022 17 comments »

You’re going to love this 30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup. Easy ingredient list, fast cooking time, and tons of flavor! Chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and a flavorful tomato broth. This is a quick dinner everyone in the family will happily devour.

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (4)

Anyone else grow up eating Taco Soup? I loved it as a kid and that love affair has never ended. In fact it’s one of the very first recipes I ever mastered in adulthood. Now I serve up my own version, this 30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup, to my family. It looks a little different than what I grew up with but that big flavor is still very much there. In fact I think it’s even better!

One of the best parts of a classic taco soup is that it includes lots of shelf stable ingredients. So if you have a craving for it or just need a super fast meal at the last minute, you can likely make it without running to the grocery store. In fact the only ingredient that’s not shelf stable is the chicken. I tend to keep chicken breasts in the freezer just for moments like this though.

This yummy entree is a must for your family’s taco night. Who says you need traditional tacos? Let’s get all that great taco flavor in a soup, shall we?

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (5)

For this recipe you’ll need (full list of ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below):

  • Chicken stock or broth
  • Tomato paste
  • Chicken breasts
  • Kidney or black beans
  • Corn
  • Canned diced tomatoes
  • Canned green chiles
  • Seasoning

Add all ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil on high heat. Then cover and reduce to a simmer at medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Carefully remove the chicken and shred or chop it. Add it back to the soup. Stir and serve!

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (6)

How to top this soup

This soup is loaded with flavor and delicious as is. But OH THE TOPPINGS you can add! A few of my favorites are:

  • Cilantro
  • Sliced green onions
  • Diced red onion
  • Fresh jalapeno slices
  • Sliced avocado
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Sour cream
  • Tortilla chips, fritos, or Homemade Croutons

Can you use ground beef or turkey instead of chicken?

Yes! Simply brown the ground meat in the bottom of the soup pot (or in a separate skillet) first. Then add the other ingredients to the pot with the meat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat until everything is warmed through. You won’t need to cook it longer since your meat is already cooked.

Can you use fresh or frozen corn?

Absolutely. I include canned corn because a classic taco soup (and the one I grew up eating) including lots of shelf stable ingredients. This means that it’s something you can pretty much always make because you’ll always have the ingredients on hand! I wanted to keep that tradition alive with my version too. If you have fresh or frozen corn kernels feel free to use those instead.

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (7)

How to make this soup in the slow cooker

Add everything to your slow cooker. Cover. Cook for 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. You’ll know it’s done when chicken shreds easily with a fork. Shred chicken and place back in the soup. Ladle into bowls and add desired toppings.

Does this soup freeze well?

Oh yes it does! This soup freezes, thaws, and reheats beautifully. Just add it to a pot on the stove over low to medium-low heat, stirring frequently. You can also reheat in the microwave after thawing. Feel free to double this recipe so you have plenty to freeze.

More recipes like this:

No Bean 30-Minute Chili

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup

Spicy Chipotle Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Stew

Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (8)

5 from 11 votes

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup

You're going to love this 30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup. Easy ingredient list, fast cooking time, and tons of flavor! It's a quick dinner everyone in the family will happily devour.

PrintPinRate

Yield: 8 (1 cup) servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 32 oz chicken stock, can use broth
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 15 oz canned kidney beans or black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 15 oz canned corn, drained
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes, I prefer fire roasted when available
  • 4.5 oz green chiles, canned, can omit to keep it mild
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cumin

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil on high heat. Then cover and reduce to a simmer at medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

  • Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot. Shred or chop. Add the chicken back to the soup and stir. Taste and add extra salt or pepper if you like. Ladle into bowls and serve as is or with suggested toppings.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 265kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 922mg, Potassium: 1012mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 735IU, Vitamin C: 16.1mg, Calcium: 50mg, Iron: 2.8mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @thewholecook and hashtag it #thewholecook on Instagram.

Dairy Free Entrees Gluten Free Grain Free Nut Free One Pot Quick Recipes Soup

originally published on Nov 2, 2021 (last updated Oct 27, 2022) by Christina

17 comments Leave a comment »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe!

  1. Kim Reply

    This was really good! An easy weeknight meal!

  2. Moira Marzen Reply

    Delicious! During dinner my VERY picky eater turned to me and said “mama, I was wrong about not liking taco soup.”

  3. Melissa Day Reply

    We are big fans of Taco Soup and this was especially DELICIOUS. I’ve been making a number of your recipes and my family is so thankful for you! I couldn’t believe how quick and easy and tasty this was. Thanks fir sharing!

  4. Katie Snyder Reply

    First of all, I need you to know this is the very first recipe rating/comment I have ever left. That’s how much I love this recipe!

    Not only was it super fast and easy, but omg – the flavor! My husband is not a soup guy – so, when I made it I didn’t expect him to love it, but he did! He took it the next day for lunch – which he always eats cold, because he doesn’t want to waste time heating his food lol – and he came home and said “Man, I really liked that soup”.

    Also, I have your cookbook (and gotten a bunch of my friends to buy your cookbook! ) and follow your pinterest – your recipes are my go-to. I love how easy they are and that you have clean, dairy free options! I have made SO many of them. I haven’t made one yet that I didn’t like! Please make another book of quick and easy dinners/dishes!

    • Christina Reply

      I’m so sorry I’m seeing this comment so late, Katie! What a kind message! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the recipes on the website and in the cookbook! 🙂

  5. Kate Reply

    Totally delicious. Wouldn’t change a thing!

    • Christina Reply

      That’s always great to hear! Thank you, Kate!

  6. Amanda Purcell Reply

    THIS SOUP!! It’s so simple, so easy and SO good. We love soup but on a weeknight soup is often too labor intensive with alot of chopping. NOT this soup! Can I say again how easy it is??!! And healthy and flavorful and reheated beautifully the next day ( if you have any left!). And I had all the ingredients on hand with the exception of fresh cilantro. Christina’s recipes are creative and delicious!! Thank you for what you do, Christina!!

    • Christina Reply

      Love hearing this, Amanda! Thank you!!

  7. Debora Reply

    Another delicious soup recipe! My family loves this soup! Topping it with cilantro and tortilla chips takes it to another level! Thank you for all your great recipes!

    • Christina Reply

      I just had it for lunch today! I’m so happy your family enjoys it! 🙂

  8. KGilbert Reply

    This is delicious! The best taco soup recipe I’ve tried. Will be on regular rotation.

  9. Mary Reply

    The unicorn recipe I’ve been searching for for busy weeknights! This one is perfect – so quick and easy (I use the crock pot method), healthy and satisfying, and SO good every time! My whole family loves it! And the best part…no chopping! Just open up a few cans, dump everything in, and forget about it! The flavor is incredible, especially topped with some corn or tortilla chips. Love this one!

  10. Leslie Reply

    My FAVORITE taco soup! So fast and easy to make ahead of time. Is even better the next day too. My family of 8 will ask eat it, so that’s a bonus!

    • Christina Reply

      Yay!! So good to hear, Leslie! Thank you!

  11. Joanna Davis Reply

    This is the best taco soup!! My entire family LOVES it!! Definitely in our rotation!!

  12. Nicole Zeringue Reply

    This Taco Soup is delicious!! So quick, so easy and so good!! I love all of your recipes!! I can’t wait to try more!!

30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup (2024)

FAQs

How can I thicken my taco soup? ›

You can either make up a slurry of cornstarch or flour. Mix in a separate dish and then mix into the soup. Bring to boil to see how thick it gets. You can also add some potato.

What to eat with chicken taco soup? ›

With taco soup, you can have Mexican rice, refried beans, or garlic bread. You can also try potato skins, taco salad, white chicken enchiladas, quinoa salad, or rice with butter and cilantro.

How to make taco soup less spicy? ›

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

What are the ingredients in Costco chicken tortilla soup? ›

INGREDIENTS: Chicken stock, diced tomatoes in juice, cooked chicken meat, cooked white chicken meat, onions, corn, carrots, roasted poblano peppers, roasted red bell peppers, roasted green chiles, tortillas (corn, water, lime), contains 2% or less of: tomato paste, water, cultured dextrose, sea salt, modified food ...

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

There are several reasons why taco soup may turn out thin and watery. One common reason is using too much broth or liquid in the soup. Additionally, not simmering the soup for long enough can lead to a thin consistency.

What is the best thickener for soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why is chicken soup good for sick people? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Can I eat cream of chicken soup as soup? ›

A bowl of our Cream of Chicken Soup served with fresh baked bread is hearty enough to serve on its own, or you can beef it up with whatever's fresh in your kitchen. Condensed soups are also the perfect base for casseroles and starters for sauces, so your imagination is the limit.

What are the best sides for chicken tacos? ›

12 Side Dishes to Round Out Taco Night
  • 01 of 13. Taco Slaw. View Recipe. ...
  • 02 of 13. Mexican Rice II. View Recipe. ...
  • 03 of 13. Frijoles de Olla. View Recipe. ...
  • 04 of 13. Mexican Corn. View Recipe. ...
  • 05 of 13. Fresh Pineapple Salsa. View Recipe. ...
  • 06 of 13. Lime Cilantro Rice. View Recipe. ...
  • 07 of 13. Spicy Tex-Mex Salad. ...
  • 08 of 13. Zesty Quinoa Salad.
May 24, 2021

What cancels out spicy taste? ›

6 Tips to Fix Dishes That Are Too Spicy
  1. Add Dairy. There's a lot of hype about using milk to help provide relief from spicy foods, and for good reason. ...
  2. Use Citrus. ...
  3. Add Nuts or Nut Butters. ...
  4. Sprinkle in Sugar. ...
  5. Add Starch or Grains. ...
  6. Dilute It.
Apr 14, 2022

Can you add milk to soup? ›

Yes, you can definitely add cream to your soup. Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

Does adding water to soup make it less spicy? ›

Add more broth to help dilute the spices.

You can put additional broth in any kind of soup. If you don't have any broth, you can also add water instead. You may need to add more salt to reseason your soup.

Why is it called chicken tortilla soup? ›

It's hard to pinpoint exactly the origin of tortilla soup, but it is generally attributed to Central Mexico and especially popular in Mexico City, where it was possibly born in the nearby state of Tlaxcala (which in Nahuatl means “land of the corn” or “place where tortillas abound”).

Who makes Kirkland chicken tortilla soup? ›

The label declares the product, manufactured by Kettle Cuisine Midco, LLC, as gluten-free, which is a false negative claim.

Does the chicken tortilla soup at Chick Fil A have dairy? ›

According to the Chick Fil A website, their chicken tortilla soup is NOT gluten-free or dairy free. However, this copycat recipe is gluten-free and dairy free!

How can I thicken watery soup? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

How to thicken taco soup without cornstarch? ›

How To Thicken Soup Without Flour Or Cornstarch
  1. Vegetable Purees. One of the easiest and healthiest ways to thicken your soup is by adding vegetable purees. ...
  2. Mashed Potatoes. Another tried and tested method to thicken soups is by incorporating mashed potatoes. ...
  3. Beans and Legumes. ...
  4. Coconut Milk. ...
  5. Roux Substitute.
May 19, 2024

What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

Incorporate Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another popular thickening agent that can be easily added to your chicken tortilla soup. Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry.

How do you thicken taco filling? ›

How add thickness: Most premade taco seasoning packets have a thickening agent in them and you add in a little water to make the taco meat a little saucy. If you are looking to recreate that add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the taco seasoning mix. Add 1/2 cup of water to the meat when you add your taco seasoning.

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