Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (2024)

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This EASY chicken taco soup recipe is everything you look for in a weeknight dinner. I love creating soups with my favorite top-secret (not really) soup ingredient – marinara sauce! The marinara sauce imparts major flavor in a minimal amount of time, and that is one of my big shortcuts when it comes to weeknight dinners (and the weeknight dinner club for that matter!). So this taco chicken soup uses marinara? Yes. Same flavor, and have no fear, so long as you don’t use an overly Italian flavored marinara like basil or Italian sausage. It also works brilliantly in my turkey chili recipe, which has subtle chili flavors going on.

And before you serve this up for an easy weeknight dinner, want to know my top-secret-that-I’m-sure-you-know trick to get kids to eat and love this chicken taco soup? TORTILLA CHIPS. All of the tortilla chips. And I feel totally fine about that. 🙂

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Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (1)

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Table Of Contents

  1. What You'll Love About Chicken Taco Soup
  2. Ingredients
  3. How to Make Taco Chicken Soup
  4. FAQs
    • Why do you add marinara to chicken taco soup?
    • Can I make this a creamy chicken taco soup?
  5. Storage Instructions
    • How to reheat
    • Can you freeze this soup?
  6. What to Serve with Chicken Taco Soup
  7. How to Feed Chicken Taco Soup Recipe to the Whole Family
  8. Want More?
    • Prefer to get updates by email?
  9. More Easy Soup Recipes
  10. Let me Meal Plan for you!
    • In a dinner time rut? Overwhelmed with the task of meal planning? It's time to hand over meal planning to a pro!
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (2)

What You’ll Love About Chicken Taco Soup

  • Rich and delicious flavors
  • Light but satisfying
  • Great source of protein
  • Great source of fiber
  • Made with simple ingredients
  • Just 10 minutes prep time
  • Just 30 minutes cook time
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (3)

Ingredients

  • Onion – I’ve used a white onion, but you could use a yellow onion or even a red onion if you prefer.
  • Oil – Use a vegetable oil like avocado, canola, or olive oil.
  • Chicken – I’ve used chicken breast tenders as an easy shortcut since we’re cutting them into small pieces. The tenders are already cut a bit which can help. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer. If you have some slow cooker salsa chicken or sous vide shredded chicken, you could also stir that in with the beans and corn.
  • SpicesTaco seasoning, sea salt, black pepper
  • Marinara sauce – Yes, we’re putting marinara in this taco chicken soup recipe. Look for a very basic/plain marinara and not any with basil or heavy Italian flavors.
  • Chicken broth – You can use chicken broth, bone broth, or even vegetable broth. If you want to use low sodium chicken broth, you may need to season with some extra salt.
  • Black beans – We love black beans, but you could also use pinto beans or chili beans.
  • Corn – I’ve used frozen corn for an easy shortcut, but you could also use fresh if you have it or canned whole kernel corn.
  • Toppings – Green onions, cheddar cheese, lime wedges, cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips or tortilla strips
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (4)

This is an overview on how to make taco soup with chicken, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

Prep ingredients. Dice the onion and cut the chicken into small, bite-size pieces, about 1″ long.

Cook chicken. Heat oil in a soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and coat chicken.

Simmer soup. Pour in marinara sauce and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in beans and corn and lower heat to a simmer.

Serve taco soup. Prep toppings while soup is cooking and serve with fresh toppings.

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (6)
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (7)

FAQs

Why do you add marinara to chicken taco soup?

I know marinara sauce in a Mexican flavored soup sounds odd, but it’s a delicious way to easily add a deep flavor, without spending hours to let it simmer and let the flavors come together. Once I started doing this, I never looked back and I also discovered that I prefer the texture of the marinara over diced tomatoes as well. Give it a try! Just be sure to use a plain marinara and nothing too flavored.

Can I make this a creamy chicken taco soup?

Yes, it’s easy to make this a creamy chicken taco soup. When the soup is done cooking, turn off the heat and stir in 1/2-1 cup of heavy cream. Start with a 1/2 cup and then add more if desired.

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (8)

Storage Instructions

Store this easy chicken taco soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

How to reheat

Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Can you freeze this soup?

You can also freeze this Mexican chicken soup for 2-3 months. Store in a freezer container or plastic bag, thaw overnight, and reheat in the microwave or stovetop until hot

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (9)

What to Serve with Chicken Taco Soup

I love to serve this one pot chicken taco soup with a ton of toppings! Really any type of Mexican toppings goes, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Shredded cheddar or Mexican-style cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Diced avocado
  • Diced onion
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Lime wedges or fresh lime juice
  • Sliced jalapenos
  • Hot sauce or salsa
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Tortilla chips
  • Quesadillas – Try ground beef, shrimp, steak, or chicken fajita quesadillas
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (10)

How to Feed Chicken Taco Soup Recipe to the Whole Family

I get it, feeding kids can be tough! But following theDivision of Responsibilityand knowing your job and your child’s job makes it SO much more enjoyable. You’ll be able to feed your kids any meal, which will help ensure that they are eating a variety of nutritious foods – with plenty of play food sprinkled in.

I would recommend serving the healthy chicken taco soup in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter if they don’t do tortilla chips or tortillas.

PRO TIP: Soup can be tough for young children, so serve up the bowl of soup with less broth so it’s thicker and chunkier and easier to keep on a spoon.

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (11)

Want More?

Follow Emily on Instagram or TikTok for family dinner recipe videos and tips for feeding kids.

Prefer to get updates by email?

More Easy Soup Recipes

If you like this easy chicken taco soup recipe, you might also like some of these other easy soup recipes:

  • Easy Dumpling Soup
  • Mexican Lentil Soup
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Creamy Chicken Ramen
  • Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (12)

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Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (13)

Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Emily Dingmann for myeverydaytable.com
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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Description

This EASY chicken taco soup recipe utilizes my FAVORITE (secret) soup ingredient! Make in just over 30 mins + serve w/ fresh toppings.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 lb. chicken breast tenders
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp. black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
  • 24 oz. marinara sauce (not Italian or basil)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or bone broth or vegetable broth)
  • 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed)
  • 2 cups frozen corn
  • sliced green onions
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • lime wedges
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients:
    Dice onion.
    Cut chicken into 1″ pieces.
  2. Heat oil in soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan, saute for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add chicken to pot, season with salt and pepper and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and stir to coat the chicken.
  4. Pour marinara sauce and chicken broth into the pot and bring to a boil.
  5. Stir in black beans and frozen corn and lower heat to low and gentle simmer for 20 minutes.
  6. While soup is simmering, prep toppings: slice green onions, cut lime into wedges, chop cilantro, dice avocado.
  7. Serve soup with toppings as desired.

Notes

  • Estimated nutrition facts do not include toppings.
  • Get your kids involved! They can: measure corn, arrange toppings on a platter.

Keywords: Mexican chicken soup, chicken taco soup recipe

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Comments

  1. Julie

    We love tacos (who doesn’t!) but this was a fun way to switch up our weekly taco meal!

    Reply

  2. Cathie Barcia

    So simple to make, and very tasty!!

    Reply

    • Emily

      Thanks Cathie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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  1. […] Make this turkey butternut squash chili for a cozy, comforting dinner or as an easy meal prep lunch, it reheats really well, just like my healthy turkey chili, pastina soup, minestrone soup, and chicken taco soup. […]

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  2. […] Grab the recipe here! […]

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Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is taco soup made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds ground beef.
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning.
  • 1-1/2 cups water.
  • 1 can (16 ounces) mild chili beans, undrained.
  • 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained.
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained.
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes.
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomato with green chiles.
Dec 13, 2023

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

Add Cornstarch or Flour

If you want to thicken up your taco soup quickly, cornstarch or flour could be your best friends. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch or flour with equal parts water in a small bowl until smooth.

How to give chicken soup more Flavour? ›

Enhance the taste of your soup by adding fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro. These aromatic herbs bring a burst of freshness and add a vibrant flavor profile to your chicken noodle soup. Chop them finely and sprinkle them over the top or stir them in towards the end of cooking.

How to make chicken soup juicy? ›

We gently poach them in the broth, which adds flavor to the soup and keeps our chicken juicy and tender. After 20 minutes, the chicken will be cooked so we can remove it and shred it. I toss in my noodles and the shredded chicken along with some fresh parsley.

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

Addition of Cornstarch or Flour: Create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with water. Stir this mixture into the soup and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.

What does chicken tortilla soup contain? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

Can you add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Milk or Half-and-Half: This is the other magical ingredient that turns your homemade chicken noodle soup into the creamiest soup ever. Use 1 cup of whole milk or 1 cup of half-and-half. If you want to make regular (non-creamy) chicken noodle soup, replace the milk with more chicken broth.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

How can I make my soup thicker and creamy? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice. ...
  7. 5 of the best soup recipes to try next:

Why do you put lemon juice in chicken soup? ›

Lemons are a chicken soup game changer. Why? They brighten up and balance the salty, rich flavors of the dish, and make all of the ingredients come into line. Like a vinaigrette on a salad, the pickle on a burger, and the sour cream in a coffee cake, a squeeze of lemon gives chicken soup a game-changing brightness.

How do you make chicken soup not taste bland? ›

Brown or Sear the Meat

If you are adding meat to a soup, sear or brown it in a sauté pan before you add it to the soup. This adds a deeper savory flavor to the whole soup. This trick is especially useful for things like chicken and sausage, which can sometimes get bland and rubbery while floating in a brothy soup.

How do you fix tasteless chicken soup? ›

Herbs add a fresh note to a bland chicken soup. Add a sprig or two and let them steep as the soup simmers for 10 to 30 minutes, or chop the herbs and toss them in for near-immediate color and flavor.

Does chicken soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

While broth and stock both get richer and richer the longer you cook them, the problem is that the chicken meat will dry out and get tough if you let it go too long.

Do you simmer chicken soup covered or uncovered? ›

Place the chicken in a 6- to 7-quart soup pot and add the water (it should cover chicken). Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce to a bare simmer and skim foam as it rises to the surface.

Why cook chicken soup uncovered? ›

To thicken a soup, stew, or sauce, leaving the lid uncovered is ideal.

Where is taco soup from? ›

Taco soup
Taco soup topped with cheese, tortilla chips and sliced avocado
TypeSoup
Place of origin1950s Southwestern United States
Main ingredientsGround beef, tomatoes, green chilis, onions, corn, beans, taco seasoning

What is a spicy Mexican soup made from? ›

This spicy chicken tortilla soup features sautéed onions, spicy peppers, corn, tomatoes, and black beans, all simmered in a delicious broth. The result is an ultra-flavorful soup your family will love!

What is Birria taco soup made of? ›

Birria is a mainstay of Mexican cuisine, a stew that originated in the state of Jalisco traditionally made from goat, beef, or lamb. For this birria tacos recipe, the meat marinates in adobo sauce, then cooks slowly in adobo broth until it's fork-tender.

What is Spanish soup made of? ›

Also called sopa castellana (Spanish soup), this traditional recipe is one that I believe every soup lover around the world should have in their repertoire. It's made with a super-simple ingredient list of bread, eggs, olive oil, and broth, and seasoned with smoked paprika and lots of garlic.

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