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chicken taco soup

Easy Chicken Taco Soup

This creamy Chicken Taco Soup is everything you love about tacos in cozy soup form! A zesty broth with Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, black beans, corn, and tender shredded chicken—all ready in just 35 minutes. Make it on the stovetop, in your Instant Pot, or slow cooker for an easy weeknight meal everyone will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 330

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped (sweet or yellow)
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if preferred)
  • 2 cans (10 oz each) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, with juices
  • 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (12 oz) corn, drained
  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (Philly brand recommended)
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
  • sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • diced avocado or guacamole
  • fresh cilantro
  • tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
  • lime wedges
  • sliced jalapeños or green onions

Equipment

  • Large soup pot or Dutch oven
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle
  • cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Set the cream cheese out to soften at room temperature. Softened cream cheese melts smoothly into the soup for a creamy texture. Microwave in short intervals if needed.
  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add chicken broth, Rotel tomatoes (with juices), black beans, corn, bell pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
  5. Cut softened cream cheese into cubes and stir into the soup. Continue stirring until completely melted and smooth. Whisk if needed to fully incorporate.
  6. Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken and simmer another 5–7 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings—shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, avocado, and lime juice for brightness.

Notes

Pro Tips: Use Rotel tomatoes for signature taco flavor. Soften cream cheese fully before adding. Whisk if lumps form. For a thicker soup, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water). For a thinner texture, stir in more broth.
Variations: Swap chicken for ground beef, or make it vegetarian by using extra beans and vegetable broth. For keto, skip corn and beans and add more chicken and peppers.

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