Tasty Chicken Taco Soup: Crock Pot Magic

how to cook chicken taco soup in the crock pot

Chicken taco soup is a delicious and flexible dish that can be made in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker. It is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for a cold night, and can be adapted to personal taste. The soup is similar to chilli and can be topped with cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, and sour cream. The Crock-Pot is ideal for making cheaper cuts of meat more tender and tasty, and the recipe can be adapted for vegetarians and vegans.

Characteristics Values
Type of cookware Crockpot/slow cooker
Ingredients Chicken, taco seasoning, kidney beans, black beans, corn, onion, cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, beer, tomato sauce, ranch dressing, enchilada sauce, etc.
Prep time 5-10 minutes
Cooking time 5-8 hours
Recipe type Flexible, adaptable, and easy to make
Serving size 8-12 servings

cycookery

Ingredients and prep

Chicken taco soup is a delicious and flexible recipe that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a great option for a cold night and can be adapted to your personal taste. Here is a guide to the ingredients and prep required to make this tasty soup.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts: You can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts, but it is recommended to thaw them first for food safety.
  • Taco seasoning: You can use a store-bought packet or make your own blend.
  • Vegetables: Onion, poblano pepper, and jalapeno are great additions. You can also add corn, either canned or fresh.
  • Beans: Canned beans are a convenient option and can include kidney beans, red beans, black beans, or pinto beans.
  • Tomatoes: Use canned diced tomatoes with green chiles or crushed tomatoes for some heat.
  • Liquids: Beer or chicken broth can be used, along with tomato sauce and enchilada sauce.
  • Spices: Chili powder and cumin add a spicy kick to the soup.
  • Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips or strips add flavour and texture.

Prep:

  • Cut the chicken breasts into large bite-sized pieces. You can cook the chicken in a pan with some olive oil before adding it to the crock pot, or add it raw and cook it in the crock pot.
  • If using raw chicken, place the chicken breasts in the crock pot and cover with the other ingredients. If using cooked chicken, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
  • Add the vegetables, beans, tomatoes, liquids, and spices to the crock pot. Stir everything together to combine the flavours.
  • Cook on low for 5-8 hours. If using cooked chicken, you may only need to cook for 30 minutes to an hour to heat everything through.
  • About 15 minutes before serving, remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Then, return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
  • Continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your preference and the texture of the soup.
  • Serve the soup in bowls and top with your desired toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips or strips.

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and spices to your taste and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours! This soup is a great option for meal prepping and can be made in large batches to feed a crowd.

cycookery

Cooking method

Chicken taco soup is a delicious and flexible recipe that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a great way to cook cheaper cuts of meat, making them tender and tasty. The recipe can be adapted to personal preference and is a good option for feeding a large group.

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that you can adapt it to your taste, but generally, you will need chicken breasts, taco seasoning, cheese, and toppings such as tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro. For the soup base, you can use a combination of beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Beer or chicken broth can also be added for extra flavour.

Once you have your ingredients, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook in a pan with some olive oil. You can then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes. If you are using raw chicken, it is recommended to cook it separately first for food safety reasons.

Next, add all the ingredients to your crock pot, except for the cheese and any other toppings you plan to use. Give it all a good stir, put the lid on, and cook on low for around 5-8 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can pressure cook it for 20 minutes or cook it on the stove.

After the initial cooking time, take the chicken breasts out and shred them using two forks. Then, put the shredded chicken back into the crock pot and stir. Let it cook for an additional 15 minutes to half an hour.

Finally, serve your chicken taco soup in bowls topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips or strips. You can also add diced avocado and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

cycookery

Serving suggestions

Chicken taco soup is a tasty and flexible dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

Tortilla Chips and Cornbread

A popular choice is to serve the soup with tortilla chips. These can be crumbled on top of the soup or used for scooping. For an extra touch of comfort and creaminess, try using narrow slices of flour tortillas instead of corn tortilla chips. You can also serve the soup with cornbread on the side.

Rice

For a heartier meal, serve the soup on a bed of rice. You can add grated cheddar cheese on top for an extra layer of flavour and texture.

Salad

If you're looking for a lighter option, pair the soup with a side salad. A guacamole salad is a great choice, especially on a cold night.

Toppings

Feel free to get creative with toppings! Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips are classic choices. You can also add some fresh ingredients like diced onions, minced garlic, or chopped poblano peppers. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some spice with jalapeños or a squeeze of lime.

Customization

Chicken taco soup is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste. You can experiment with different types of beans, such as kidney, red, black, or pinto beans. If you're not a fan of beer, you can substitute it with chicken broth. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less taco seasoning or chilli powder.

cycookery

Customisation

Chicken taco soup is a versatile dish that can be customised to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas for customising your chicken taco soup made in a crock pot:

Ingredients

Customise the ingredients to add your favourite flavours or accommodate dietary restrictions. For example, you can:

  • Use different types of beans, such as kidney beans, red beans, black beans, or pinto beans. You can also add more or less beans according to your preference.
  • Add vegetables like corn, onion, or jalapeno for a spicy kick.
  • Experiment with different proteins by substituting chicken with ground beef or vegetarian options.
  • Try different liquids like chicken broth, beer, or V8 juice instead of tomato sauce.
  • Adjust the spice level by adding more or less taco seasoning, or including extra spices like cumin or chilli powder.

Toppings

Serve your chicken taco soup with a variety of toppings to add texture and flavour:

  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar or other varieties.
  • Tortilla chips or strips: For a crunchy texture.
  • Sour cream: For a creamy element.
  • Avocado: For a fresh and creamy addition.
  • Cilantro: For a bright, herbal flavour.
  • Ranch dressing: For a tangy twist.

Cooking Method

Customise the cooking method to suit your time and equipment:

  • Stovetop: If you're short on time, cook the soup on the stovetop. This is also a good option if you're using pre-cooked chicken.
  • Slow cooker: Use a crock pot or slow cooker for a hands-off approach, allowing the soup to simmer and develop flavour.
  • Pressure cooker: For a faster option, use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process.

Remember, this recipe is very adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients, spices, and cooking methods to create your perfect chicken taco soup!

cycookery

Storage

Chicken taco soup is a delicious and easy meal to make, and it's even better when you can enjoy it more than once! This soup can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on how long you plan to keep it. Here are some detailed instructions for storing your chicken taco soup:

Refrigerating Chicken Taco Soup:

  • Allow the soup to cool: Before storing, let the soup cool down to room temperature. Storing hot soup in the refrigerator can affect its temperature and the food inside.
  • Portion the soup: Divide the soup into smaller portions or servings. This way, you can easily take out and reheat the amount you need without having to thaw a large batch.
  • Use airtight containers: Store the soup in airtight containers to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal.
  • Label and date: Make sure to label the containers with the name of the dish and the date it was stored. This helps you keep track of how long the soup has been in the refrigerator.
  • Shelf life: Refrigerated chicken taco soup can be safely stored for 3 to 4 days. After this period, it's best to freeze the soup or discard it if you haven't finished enjoying it.

Freezing Chicken Taco Soup:

  • Allow the soup to cool: Similar to refrigerating, let the soup come to room temperature before transferring it to the freezer.
  • Portion the soup: Freeze the soup in smaller portions to make thawing and reheating easier and more convenient.
  • Use freezer-safe containers: Store the soup in containers suitable for freezing. Freezer-safe glass or plastic containers are good options. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags.
  • Label and date: Label the containers with the name and date, just like with refrigeration. Additionally, you can note the recommended consumption period.
  • Shelf life: Chicken taco soup can be safely frozen for up to 2 months. After this period, it is still safe to consume, but the quality and taste may start to deteriorate.

Reheating and Thawing:

  • Refrigerated soup: You can reheat refrigerated soup directly on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
  • Frozen soup: For frozen soup, it's best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. If you're in a hurry, you can also place the frozen container in a bowl of warm water to speed up the thawing process. Avoid thawing frozen soup at room temperature for food safety reasons.

Storing your chicken taco soup properly ensures that you can enjoy this tasty dish multiple times without compromising its quality and flavour. Now you can look forward to delicious leftovers and quick meal options!

Frequently asked questions

You will need chicken breasts, taco seasoning, cheese, tortilla chips, and sour cream. You can also add vegetables like onions, peppers, and beans.

It takes around 6 hours to cook chicken taco soup in a crock pot. If you are doubling the recipe, add an extra 30 minutes to an hour.

Yes, but you should reduce the cooking time to prevent the chicken from drying out. You can also use frozen chicken breasts, but it is recommended to thaw them first for food safety reasons.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment