Our Easiest Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023
Chicken taco soup is the perfect weeknight dinner. It couldn't be easier to make—plus, it's packed with flavor!
More often than not, I find myself impatient to eat supper after finishing up work at the end of the day. While I typically love to spend copious amounts of time in the kitchen on the weekends, I prefer quick and easy weeknight dinners after an 8-hour workday. (And I know I’m not the only one!)
One reliable option I like to turn to is our chicken taco soup recipe, full of protein, color and flavor. Make this delicious soup the next time you need something new to add to your rotation.
How to Make Chicken Taco Soup
This taco-inspired recipe comes from Pamela Johnson of Puyallup, Washington. It makes 8 bowls of soup.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Optional: Hot pepper sauce and lime wedges
Directions
Step 1: Cook onion and garlic
In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, and cook and stir until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
Step 2: Add the broth, beans and seasonings
Stir in the water, chicken broth, cannellini and black beans, tomatoes, chiles, taco seasoning and cumin.
Step 3: Bring to a boil and simmer
Bring the soup to a boil; then reduce the heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir in the chicken and cilantro, and heat through.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Garnish the zesty soup with hot sauce, lime wedges and additional cilantro, if desired.
Tips for Making Chicken Taco Soup
Can you use shredded chicken instead of cubed?
Feel free to use rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast that you shredded yourself to make chicken taco soup. Check out our guide on how to shred chicken, if you want some guidance.
What toppings can you put on chicken taco soup?
All of the toppings that work well on chicken tortilla soup would translate perfectly to chicken taco soup. A dollop of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) would make the soup a little creamier, while tortilla strips or crushed up tortilla chips would add some crunch. Cubed avocado, extra cheese, sliced jalapenos and chopped green onions would be welcome additions, too!
What do you serve with chicken taco soup?
Feel free to pair your soup with a green salad, your favorite cornbread recipe or even beer bread to round out the meal.
How long will leftover chicken taco soup last?
Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Plus, since this soup recipe doesn’t have dairy, you can freeze it without worry. Check out our guide to freezing soup, and then discover more soups that freeze well after your chicken taco soup is (sadly) all eaten up.
Try More Taco-Inspired Recipes
Beef Taco ChiliThis is one of my husband's absolute favorite dishes. It was voted best chili at our county's autumn harvest festival. If you like less broth, use just 1-3/4 cups water and 1-1/2 tsp. bouillon. —Dana Beery, Ione, Washington
Taco BurgersMy family loves the taste of tacos, but I dislike the mess! So I developed these burgers as a tasty but tidy alternative.—Linda Logan, Warren, Ohio
Easy Taco PizzaConvenient prebaked crust makes this tasty taco pizza as easy as can be. It's a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers. I keep the ingredients on hand so that we can whip up this filling meal anytime. —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland
Taco MacThis zesty taco mac and cheese is just as yummy the next day. Simply warm it up and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cheese. —JoLynn Fribley, Nokomis, Illinois
Taco Twist SoupThe fun, family-friendly twist in this taco soup is the spiral pasta. I lightened this soup by substituting black beans for ground beef. —Colleen Zertler, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Taco Baked PotatoesStuffed with your favorite fixings, this baked potato recipe is an easy meal in one. Make it vegetarian by using smashed black beans instead of ground beef. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Taco Skillet Pizza with Cornbread CrustOur family loves taco pizza, and I have made so many versions of it. This recipe is like a deep-dish skillet pizza. It is a hearty meal and can be served straight out of the pan. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Taco BowlsWe love this delicious taco-style dish because of its super simple prep. Each serving is so easy to customize to everyone's individual tastes thanks to the toppings. It's become a regular when we're entertaining. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio
Taco PinwheelsThese pinwheels come together quickly when you start with leftover taco meat. They make an appealing party appetizer served with salsa, or a fun lunch option with a salad on the side. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Cheesy Chicken Taco DipWe're huge college football fans (go Irish!), and my chicken taco dip hasn't missed a season opener in many years. A slow cooker keeps the dip warm for the whole game—if it lasts that long! —Deanna Garretson, Yucaipa, California
Deep-Dish Beef 'n' Bean Taco PizzaMy whole family enjoys this dish that tastes like a taco and looks like a deep-dish pizza. The thick tasty crust can handle lots of toppings, so load it up for a bright, fun meal. —Nancy Circle, Perkins, Oklahoma
Instant Pot Taco PastaThis Instant Pot taco pasta is a welcome change from boring meals. I've taken all the flavors of tacos and created an easy pasta dish. Kids love the taste, and Mom loves how quick and easy it comes together. To lighten things up, use ground turkey. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
Homemade Taco Seasoning MixSkip the store-bought stuff and learn how to make homemade taco seasoning mix yourself. This recipe is right on. It tastes like purchased mixes, but is cheaper and has nearly half the sodium. Your heart and wallet will surely thank you! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Taco Tater SkinsI wanted to make a version of these with ingredients most people have on hand. We make a meal out of these skins, but they're also great for parties as appetizers. —Phyllis Douglas, Fairview, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco SaladWe use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping to measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington
Simple Taco SoupWe first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Taco Noodle DishI got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter...and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty casserole. Later, I modified it so it has less fat and fewer calories. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota
Texas Taco Dip PlatterWhen I'm entertaining, this colorful dish is my top menu choice. My friends can't resist the hearty appetizer topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives. —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Ground Beef Taco SaladEveryone at our house loves this taco salad. In spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota
Taco Cornbread CasseroleA whole can of chiles adds fire to this casserole. For less heat, you can use just enough of the can for your taste. —Lisa A. Paul, Terre Haute, Indiana
Taco SpaghettiI came up with this kid-friendly taco spaghetti recipe one afternoon when I was using up leftover spaghetti and ground beef. When I'm lucky enough to have extra time, I make two batches and freeze one. —Johanna Van Ness, Wichita, Kansas
Ground Beef Taco DipWhat's a football party without taco dip? This version made with spicy ground beef and fresh toppings does not disappoint the die-hards. It is full of classic flavors and is a little extra filling for game day appetites. —Errika Perry, Green Bay, WI
Taco Meatball RingWhile it looks complicated, this attractive meatball-filled ring is really very easy to assemble. My family loves tacos, and we find that the crescent roll dough is a nice change from the usual tortilla shells or chips. There are never any leftovers when I serve this at a meal or as a party appetizer!
—Brenda Johnson, Davison, Michigan
Cornbread Taco BakeCornbread and beef bake together in one casserole dish, making this entree convenient. This Mexican cornbread casserole is packed with tempting seasonings, and the cheese and onions make an attractive topping. —Vicki Good, Oscoda, Michigan
Originally Published: February 27, 2023
