Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Okay, let's be real—sometimes you just crave that wood-fired flavor without actually having to, you know, build a campfire. I get it. Between work, family, and trying to remember where I put my keys (again!), who has time to spend hours tending a flame? That's where this amazing crockpot recipe comes in. It's like a warm, flavorful hug on a chilly evening, and honestly, its my go to recipe when I need somethign easy to make but tastes amazing.
This isn't your average, run-of-the-mill tortilla soup, friends. We're talking layers of smoky flavor from chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes. The chicken is unbelievably tender, practically falling apart after simmering all day in the slow cooker. Plus, the toppings! Oh, the glorious toppings. Crispy tortilla strips, creamy avocado, a dollop of sour cream – customize it to your heart's content. And trust me, it’s so simple even I can make it without setting off the smoke alarm, and thats saying something ha!.
Picture this: you come home after a long day, and the aroma of smoky, spicy soup fills the air. You ladle a generous portion into a bowl, pile on your favorite toppings, and curl up on the couch. Seriously. It's pure comfort food perfection. A friend of mine told me this recipe helped her through a tough breakup–thats how good it is. What does this soup mean for you? Let me know what you think!
Required Equipments
Crockpot (6-quart or larger)
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Can opener
Ladle
Crockpot Campfire Tortilla Soup: A Hug in a Bowl: Frequently Asked Questions
Crockpot Campfire Tortilla Soup: A Hug in a Bowl
Bring the cozy flavors of the campfire straight to your kitchen with this incredibly easy Crockpot Campfire Tortilla Soup! Loaded with smoky chipotle peppers, tender chicken, and your favorite toppings, it's a comforting meal that practically cooks itself.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield:6 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 360 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
Prep the Chicken: If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds), give them a quick rinse and pat them dry with paper towels. You can also use about 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken if you're short on time or have leftovers to use up.
Gather Your Veggies: Dice one medium yellow onion, mince 2-3 cloves of garlic, and if you're feeling adventurous, finely chop 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (remove the seeds for less heat!). Don't be shy with the chipotles; they're what give the soup that signature smoky flavor. If you don't have fresh onions, onion powder will work in a pinch.
Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot: In a 6-quart or larger crockpot, combine the chicken, diced onion, minced garlic, chipotle peppers (if using), one 15-ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained), one 15-ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained), one 15-ounce can of corn (drained), 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Don't worry if it looks like a lot; it'll all cook down.
Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable. If you're using cooked chicken, just heat through for about 2-3 hours on low or 1-2 hours on high.
Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to combine. Pro Tip: Don't skip this step! Shredding the chicken helps it absorb all the delicious flavors of the soup.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, cumin, or chili powder to suit your preferences. A squeeze of lime juice can also brighten up the flavors.
Prepare Your Toppings: While the soup is cooking, prepare your favorite toppings. Some suggestions include: crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack), sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, diced red onion, pickled jalapeños.
Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy! This soup is even better the next day, as the flavors have had time to meld together.
📝 Notes
For a thicker soup, mash some of the black beans before adding them to the crockpot.
If you don't have chipotle peppers, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of smoked chipotle powder.
Add a can of diced green chiles for extra flavor and a bit of heat.