Dinner

Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

ByCharlotte Montgomery January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

Introduction

Chicken Taco Soup is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender shredded chicken with spicy and savory ingredients. This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy meal and can be dressed up with your favorite toppings for added texture and zest.

A close-up of a spoonful of colorful stew with layers including shredded light brown chicken, dark red kidney beans, bright yellow corn kernels, soft diced onions, chunky red tomato pieces, bits of crispy yellow corn tortilla chips, and small green cilantro leaves, all mixed in a rich brown broth. The spoon is held over a white bowl filled with more of the same stew on a white marbled surface, blurred in the background to highlight the spoon’s contents. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeno, diced (seeds removed)
2 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup salsa
5 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 lime, cut in quarters
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced jalapeno. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
Step 2: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the pot, then add chili powder, cumin, oregano, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, salsa, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything to combine.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to cook through.
Step 4: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks.
Step 5: Return the shredded chicken back into the soup and stir well to incorporate.
Step 6: Serve the soup hot, garnished with crushed tortilla chips, grated cheddar cheese, a quarter of lime, and fresh chopped cilantro for added crunch and freshness.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, keep the jalapeno seeds or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Swap chicken breasts for thighs to add richness and more juicy flavor.
Add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole when serving for creaminess.
This soup freezes well; store in airtight containers once cooled.

Storage

Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat until heated through. Avoid freezing the soup with tortilla chips or cheese toppings, as they are best added fresh when serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a large pot filled with a thick, chunky stew containing shredded brown chicken, yellow corn kernels, red tomato pieces, black beans, and green chopped herbs scattered on top, all mixed in a reddish-brown broth. A long silver spoon is resting inside the pot on the left side. Around the pot, there is a white bowl with shredded orange cheese at the top left, a small white measuring cup filled with yellow corn kernels at the bottom left, and a whole garlic bulb next to it. On the right side, there are two tall glass shakers—one with salt and the other with pepper—placed on a light blue cloth with a green lime near them. Three shiny gold spoons are also laid out on the cloth. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?

Yes, you can skip cooking the chicken in the pot. Add shredded pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to the soup after simmering the other ingredients, and warm through before serving.

Is this soup spicy?

This soup has a mild to medium level of spiciness, mainly from the jalapeno and chili powder. You can adjust the heat by using less jalapeno or removing seeds for milder flavor, or add more for extra spice.