The Cozy Cookbook is here! 
This Chicken Taco Soup combines the bold, flavorful essence of tacos with the cozy qualities of soup! It’s got classic Taco Seasonings in a savory broth with juicy chicken, corn, black beans, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and more!
Be sure to try my Chicken Enchiladas and Steak Fajitas next!
Chicken Taco Soup
I have quite a collection of Soup Recipes here at The Cozy Cook, but this Chicken Taco Soup is one that I tend to crave the most! It’s got a flavorful broth, juicy chicken, corn, black beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and more. But be warned, it’s really hard to stop eating it.
Don’t forget to serve with a side of avocado and some tortilla chips, and be sure to check out my PRO tips below!
How to Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Rub chicken with taco seasoning and sear in a soup pot until a golden crust has developed. Remove and set aside. Deglaze the pot with beer.
Add butter, onions, and garlic and cook until softened. Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, more taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, corn, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Add the chicken back and simmer gently for 15 minutes or so. Stir in sour cream and cheese, then serve!
Pro Tips
- Chicken: If using leftover/rotisserie chicken, add it in step 9 when the diced/shredded chicken is added back to the soup.
- Beer: I love deglazing the pot with beer (I usually just go for Bud Light). Corona or a Pale Ale work well too! Chicken or beef broth can be used instead if you prefer not to use beer.
- Salsa: An undrained can of Rotel tomatoes can be used instead of salsa if needed. (But the salsa flavor is great if possible!) Try my easy homemade salsa recipe!
- Cheese: Shred the cheese from a block, it’ll melt/taste better than packaged shredded cheese. Other varieties that can be used include pepper jack and Monterey jack. Feel free to use a combination of cheeses.
- Tomato Paste: I use tubes of tomato paste that I can keep in the fridge to measure customized amounts!
- Heat Level: This recipe has a little kick to it. To eliminate some heat, use a packet of mild taco seasoning, use bell peppers instead of jalapeno, and omit the hot sauce.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This Soup freezes/reheats very well!
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- 4.5-Quart Dutch Oven– this is the one I use the make this soup.
- Box Cheese Grater– Shredding from a block tastes and melts much better than packaged cheese.
- Measuring Spoons– I have these magnetic ones which stay nice and organized in my utensil drawer.
- Pinch Bowls– for measuring out seasonings ahead of time.
- Soup Ladle
- 16 oz. storage containers I use these to store/freeze my soups. They have 8 oz. sizes as well. They’re stackable, leak proof, and dishwasher/microwave safe.
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Chicken Taco Soup
This Chicken Taco Soup has all of the bold, savory flavors of a delicious Taco in soup form! It's easy to make on the stove top or in the crock pot with black beans, corn, salsa, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast, or 2 cups leftover/rotisserie chicken
- 1 (1 oz.) packet Taco seasoning, see notes for homemade version
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup beer, see notes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced (can sub bell pepper)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 (15.5) oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.25) oz. can sweet kernel corn, drained. (Or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
For Serving
- Lime Wedges, Avocado, Tortilla Chips, Cilantro, Sour Cream, etc.
Instructions
- Combine taco seasoning ingredients (if using homemade).
- Cut the chicken in half lengthwise to create thinner slices. Pat dry and rub 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning over the surface of the chicken.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on each side for 3-4 minutes, until a golden crust has developed. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes, then dice or shred. (It’s okay if the middle isn’t 100% cooked through yet.)
- Turn heat off. Add the beer and then set the heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the pot, this will give the broth more flavor.
- Add the butter, onions, jalapeno, and garlic. Soften the onions for 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 tbsp. taco seasoning and add remaining seasoning to taste toward the end if desired. (I normally use it all, but go with your taste preference!)
- Add the salsa, black beans, corn, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Return the chicken back to the soup and simmer gently for 15 minutes or so.
- Ladle some of the broth into a small bowl. Add the sour cream and stir until well-combined. Transfer it to the soup and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat of the soup to low and gradually stir in the cheese. Remove from heat and serve with diced avocado, lime wedges, and/or tortilla chips.
Notes
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Pro Tips
Crock Pot Method *Note: To save a step, don’t sear the chicken/deglaze with beer, instead just add them to the crock pot in step 2 below.
Storage
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 6 servings.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon EACH: pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Pro Tips
- Chicken: If using leftover/rotisserie chicken, add it in step 9 when the diced/shredded chicken is added back to the soup.
- Beer: I love deglazing the pot with beer (I usually just go for Bud Light). Corona or a Pale Ale work well too! Chicken or beef broth can be used instead if you prefer not to use beer.
- Salsa: An undrained can of Rotel tomatoes can be used instead of salsa if needed. (But the salsa flavor is great if possible!) Try my easy homemade salsa recipe!
- Cheese: Shred the cheese from a block, it’ll melt/taste better than packaged shredded cheese. Other varieties that can be used include pepper jack and Monterey jack. Feel free to use a combination of cheeses.
- Tomato Paste: I use tubes of tomato paste that I can keep in the fridge to measure customized amounts!
- Heat Level: This recipe has a little kick to it. To eliminate some heat, use a packet of mild taco seasoning, use bell peppers instead of jalapeno, and omit the hot sauce.
Crock Pot Method *Note: To save a step, don’t sear the chicken/deglaze with beer, instead just add them to the crock pot in step 2 below.
- Rub 1 tbsp. taco seasoning over the chicken, reserve a 2nd tbsp. for the soup. (You will have some seasoning left, you can add that to taste at the end if desired.)
- Place all ingredients in the crock pot except for the corn, black beans, sour cream, shredded cheese, and garnishes. Nestle the chicken in the liquid until it’s just covered.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and add it back to the soup along with the corn and black beans.
- Ladle some of the broth into a small bowl. Add the sour cream and stir until well-combined. Transfer it to the soup and stir to combine.
- Turn off heat. Gradually mix in the shredded cheese and stir to incorporate.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This Soup freezes/reheats very well!
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 6 servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 503kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 1757mg, Potassium: 970mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1412IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 271mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
This was so incredibly amazing ❤️❤️❤️ My kids loved it and my husband was impressed. I used a rotisserie chicken, 1 cup chicken broth and the rest beef broth because that’s what I had and wow! Finished to the last drop. I scooped up leftovers with tostitos and I would love to see this as a dip for chips. Definitely will be making this again very soon! 🥳🥳😭
I’m soo happy that you and your whole family loved this soup Tanya!! This soup gets me every time, I just love it! Thank you so much for the review, I appreciate it so much!! ❤️ -Stephanie
Hello Stephanie – Let me say, you make cooking so fun, so easy and so wonderful! I love the way you break down the ingredient list into cooking sections instead of just listing everything together – THIS feature is SO helpful! Thank you!
Now, about this recipe, it was so easy and so delicious – I did cheat and purchase a rotisserie chicken AND I forgot to add in the cheese (LOL) – it was still a winner, winner and I will prepare this again! I have made meat (Weight Watchers) version and I will never make that one again – this recipe WINS.
I am in love with this website and The Cozy Cook – thanks to my co-worker for introducing me!
She has purchased your cookbook and I could be next!
Hi Laura! I am sooo thrilled to hear that you have been loving the recipes- including this Taco Soup! I’m so glad that your coworker told you about my site, I appreciate your support SO much! Thank you so much and have a wonderful weekend ahead!! -Stephanie 🙂
Delicious! First time I’ve ever made chicken taco soup, and I’m so happy I found your recipe! Will definitely make this again!
I’m so happy you liked it Cindy! Thanks so much for the great review!🩷
Stephanie, you have been a God sent to me! I never learned how to cook when I was younger because we had a huge family with lots of kids! I have learned so much from your recipes and have made a ton of them! Everytime I want to cook something, I see if you have a recipe for it first! Every single one has been nothing short of spectacular and absolutely delicious! This soup is so dang good and addictive 😋 thank you so much for all the delicious recipes and helping me in my cooking journey! ❤️
Heyyy Stefanie!! Well I am THRILLED to hear that, there’s no better compliment that I could get! ❤️❤️ I’m so glad that you’re loving all of my recipes and are learning along the way! (I have to agree with you, this Chicken Taco Soup is SO good!! I never have leftovers.) – Thank you so much for the review!! XOXOXO -Stephanie ❤️
I make chicken tortilla and taco soup all the time, but this is the best recipe I’ve ever made. Using this from here on out!! YUMMY!!!
I am sooo happy to hear that Diane! What a compliment, thank you SO MUCH! 🙂
Gah I left a review for this under your beef taco soup by mistake! 🤦🏻♀️(That one’s delicious as well) So leaving this here where it belongs! Delicious soup. My cranky 5 yr old said multiple times how good it was as he slurped it up and got it all over his shirt lol. He even asked for seconds! I loved the tender shredded chicken and beef broth for added flavor. Will definitely make this again. Thank you!
AWWWWW Thank you so much Luma!!! Picturing your “cranky” 😂 5 year old with this soup on his shirt (and the slurping!) made me chuckle. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review on this recipe. I can’t thank you enough!!! XOXO -Stephanie ❤️
This recipe is absolutely delicious! I made it for my Bible study this evening and my friends just loved it. Let’s just say there were no leftovers. 😋 Not to mention it made my house smell sooo good. This soup will be on repeat for sure!
Sounds like a huge success Stephanie! Can’t beat that yummy house smell. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!🩷
I knew this was going to be good just by reading the recipe…and it was excellent! I used rotisserie chicken and need to omit corn so added a can of kidney beans instead. It was quick enough for a weeknight meal and kids couldn’t get enough of that broth!
I’m so happy it was easy and excellent Courtnie! Extra happy the kids loved it, nice work! Thanks so much for the review🩷
Good stuff!! It has a sniffing a tiny bit from that jalepeno but we love it, perfect amount of spice.
Happy to hear you liked it Christine! Thanks so much for the great review!❤️
Best taco soup. Great combination of flavors. On repeat at our home. Thank you
You’re very welcome Arlene! I’m so happy its a repeat in your home. Thanks so much for the review!💗