Thursday, March 19, 2026

Hen Taco Soup • Hearty, Tasty and Simple Soup Recipe • Two Purple Figs

Hen taco soup is a hearty, Tex Mex impressed one pot meal that captures the daring flavors of tacos in a heat, comforting bowl. Combining shredded hen, beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, cream cheese and taco spices, this soup is each filling and flavorful.

two bowls of chicken taco soup topped with tortilla chips, avocados, sour cream, and lime wedges

A hen taco soup is a actually a full meal, healthful and engaging. Excellent for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or household gatherings, it can be made on the stovetop, in a sluggish cooker, or in an On the spot Pot. Topped with avocado, cheese, tortilla strips, contemporary cilantro, it’s a crowd pleaser each time.

We’ve got SO MANY Taco impressed recipes right here like Taco Soup (made with beef), Taco Salad and Taco Spaghetti (an incredible twist!).

What Is Hen Taco Soup?

Hen taco soup is a Tex Mex impressed one pot soup that combines traditional taco substances into a savory, hearty broth. In contrast to a taco, the flavors meld collectively for deep, layered style, creating a soup that’s each filling and simple to put together.

The taco soup is hearty, comforting, and bursting with daring flavors. Simply think about your favourite hen taco reworked into a heat, spoonable meal. Tender shredded hen is cooked with beans, corn, tomatoes, and a completely balanced taco seasoning, all simmered in a wealthy tomato broth and cream cheese. It’s creamy, satisfying and cozy.

As soon as the taco soup is prepared, the perfect half is the toppings you’ll be able to add. The choices are infinite, we made tortilla strips from scratch, added cheese, sliced avocados, lime wedges, dollop of bitter cream, contemporary cilantro and minced tomatoes. You’ll be able to add your favourite taco toppings!

side view of a bowl of chicken taco soup made so creamy and hearty

Why You’ll Love Hen Taco Soup

  • TASTY! We’ve got opted to prepare dinner the hen from scratch for max taste, together with the remaining substances, however even in the event you use pre cooked hen, it’s nonetheless a brilliant TASTY meal!
  • Fast and Easy.  This soup is prepared in underneath 40 minutes stovetop. All different cooking directions are listed beneath.
  • Household pleasant. It’s a type of meals that youngsters and adults LOVE! Tremendous delicate however flavorful
  • Customizable. You’ll be able to modify spice, favourite toppings, and protein choices
  • Meal prep pleasant. The taco soup retains in fridge or freezer with out dropping taste and ideal made upfront.
  • Wealthy textures: Beans, corn, and hen create a hearty mouthfeel, topped with crunchy chips, creamy avocado and bitter cream.

Components You’ll Want and Why They Matter

small bowls with the ingredients needed to make chicken taco soup

  • Hen Breasts. Hen is the coronary heart of the soup. We used uncooked hen which we seared briefly, then cooked the identical in the identical pot, and put the hen again into the soup for max taste. The hen absorbs the broth and spices, creating a wealthy, built-in taste. Breasts are lean and delicate, whereas boneless hen thighs add additional juiciness and depth. Rotisserie hen works in a pinch for comfort.
  • Soup Base Aromatics: Onions, garlic, purple bell peppers, inexperienced chilies or jalapeños , oil or butter.
  • Black Beans:  Beans present fiber, protein, and pure thickening. Mash a few for a creamier texture. Black or pinto beans work greatest for steadiness. In case you have kidney beans, add these in or make our Hen Tortilla Soup.
  • Candy Corn: Corn provides a delicate sweetness and pop of texture that contrasts the savory broth.
  • Tomatoes: Diced or fireplace roasted tomatoes present acidity, umami, and physique. Roasted tomatoes add a smoky notice.
  • Broth: Hen broth is best; it carries flavors and ensures a wealthy, cohesive base. Modify the quantity for your most well-liked soup thickness.

A hand holding a bowl of taco seasonings homemade ready to blend

  • Taco Seasonings: Cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder  construct the signature Tex Mex taste. You need to use retailer purchased or do-it-yourself combine as we did right here.
  • Cream Cheese. The key to creamy hen taco soup! Only a few tablespoons added in direction of the tip. You’ll be able to add plain Greek yogurt as a substitute of heavy cream.
  • Cilantro. The final word freshness for the soup.
  • Lime. Provides brightness.
  • Non-compulsory: jalapeno peppers

Hen Taco Soup Toppings

taco soup toppings put aside on a board ready to use

  • Lime wedges
  • Tortilla Strips.
  • Avocado slices
  • Bitter cream
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • cilantro
  • Diced onions and tomatoes

How to Make Hen Taco Soup

Beneath are three alternative ways to an ideal Hen Taco Soup Recipes each single time relying on what you favor. Since we’re exhibiting this soup solely from scratch, we’re beginning with the hen uncooked.

You’ll be able to skip the primary few steps and proceed to the soup in the event you’re utilizing rotisserie hen.

Stovetop Methodology (Finest Taste)

the chicken breasts are cut in half and seasoned to start the chicken taco soup from scratch

  1. Slice every hen breast in half, and season liberally on either side with the do-it-yourself taco seasoning.
  2. Warmth the oil in a big pot (the identical pot you’ll use for the soup).
    the seasoned chicken searing in a pot
  3. Add the hen and sear for 3-4 minutes per aspect till golden.
    The seared chicken removed on to a separate plate
  4. Take away the hen on to a separate plate and begin with the soup.
    Onions, bell peppers and taco seasoning cooking to make the base of the chicken taco soup
  5. Warmth oil in a giant pot over medium warmth. Sauté onions and bell peppers with some taco seasoning till delicate.
  6. Add garlic and prepare dinner 30–60 seconds to bloom flavors.
    tomatoes and stock are added to the pot
  7. Stir in tomatoes and broth. Carry to a simmer.
    chicken cut up into strips ready to go into the soup
  8. Reduce the hen into the scale you favor. We minimize them into strips, however you are able to do cubes or chunks, and even shred the hen.
    beans, corn, chicken are all now added and the soup is ready to simmer until cooked
  9. Add the hen, beans and corn to the soup and produce to a boil. Then reduce warmth and simmer gently 25–30 minutes.
  10. End the soup by including within the cream cheese and cilantro. Stir till the cheese blends in and the soup turns extremely creamy.
    cream cheese is added and the chicken taco soup is now ready
  11. Add the cilantro, a squeeze of lime, adjust seasoning with salt, lime juice, or additional spices. 

Sluggish Cooker Model / Crockpot Methodology (Arms Off Comfort)

  1. If utilizing uncooked hen, season it and sear it individually in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per aspect. Reduce the hen into strips. If utilizing prepared cooked hen, then simply add it it proper in with the remaining substances.
  2. Mix all substances in sluggish cooker.
  3. Cook dinner 6-8  hours on low or 3-4 hours on excessive.
  4. Add the cream cheese, cilantro and lime simply earlier than serving.

cooked chicken taco soup ready for the toppings

On the spot Pot Methodology (Quick & Flavorful)

  1. Sauté the hen if utilizing uncooked, much like the above range prime directions.
  2. Take away the hen and proceed sautéing onions, peppers. Add garlic and spices utilizing the sauté perform.
  3. Add remaining substances and the hen.
  4. Strain prepare dinner 10–12 minutes; fast launch.
  5. End off with the cream cheese, cilantro and modify seasoning.

Make Tortilla Strips and Put together the Toppings

homemade tortilla strips on paper towels draining

  1. Reduce your tortillas into strips.
  2. Pan fry them or air fry them till golden, and season with salt.
  3. slice the avocados, shred the cheese, cube the onions and tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño, put together bitter cream, minimize lime wedges and extra!
  4. Prepare the toppings to your style and let everybody prime their taco soup to their style!

close up of a full bowl of chicken taco soup loaded with toppings and ready to eat

Professional Ideas For Hen Taco Soup

  1. Pat hen dry earlier than cooking for higher texture.
  2. Make your personal or use high quality taco seasoning.
  3. Season the hen earlier than searing as a substitute of including it uncooked to poach within the soup. This step makes an unbelievable distinction within the taco soup style!! 
  4. Add the taco seasoning to the onion and garlic sautéing steps as nicely so the spice hit the new oil. This unlocks aroma and depth.
  5. Reduce the hen into strips or dices, keep away from smaller items. take into accout it should soften up and break up barely within the soup.
  6. Use rotisserie hen for comfort, additionally don’t cube too finely as it should break aside.
  7. Simmer the soup gently, keep away from excessive warmth.
  8. Mash a few beans for a creamier soup or add extra broth if too thick.
  9. Add the cream cheese on the finish just for a creamy taco soup and let is soften within the warmth of the soup.
  10. Lime juice and cilantro elevate the ultimate flavors.

Hen Taco Soup Variations

  • Creamy Hen Taco Soup: Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream. This one is our household favourite!
  • Spicy  or Smoky Model: Add chipotle in adobo or contemporary jalapeños.
  • Low Carb Model: Skip beans and corn, use extra hen.
  • Inexperienced Hen Taco Soup: Substitute tomatoes with inexperienced chiles and tomatillos.

A spoon eating some chicken taco sopu showing the creamy soup and the many toppings

Why is my soup bland?

The soup might be bland is the taco seasoning is simply added in direction of the tip. As a substitute bloom spices correctly with the onions, garlic and sautee them for a bit. End with numerous cilantro and lime for taste.

Why is my hen dry?

Keep away from overcooking the hen, particularly hen breasts should be eliminated at 165°F inside temp.

Why is my soup watery?

You might have added an excessive amount of inventory, so simmer the soup uncovered, mash some beans, or add crushed tortilla chips.

Why are my beans mushy?

They’re in all probability outdated or some manufacturers can have softer beans than others. Simply add additional beans in direction of the tip and don’t simmer these for greater than 5 minutes.

Why does it style too acidic?

You might have added an excessive amount of lime, or used the bottled lime. To repair this, steadiness with a pinch of sugar or extra broth.

Storage, Freezing and Reheating

  • Fridge: Leftovers hold for five days in hermetic container.
  • Freezer: You’ll be able to freeze the prepared soup with out toppings for up to 3 months. You’ll be able to portion the soup and freeze in freezer-safe baggage.
  • Reheat: Gently reheat in a pot over medium low warmth, it’s possible you’ll want so as to add 1-2 tablespoons of inventory.

one bowl of perfect chicken taco soup close up topped with tortillas, avocado, sour cream, cilantro and cheese

Toppings and Serving Options

  • Crunch: Crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortillas
  • Creaminess: Avocado or guacamole, bitter cream
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack
  • Freshness: Cilantro or inexperienced onions
  • Serve: rice, cornbread, or a easy inexperienced salad

Is Hen Taco Soup wholesome?

Sure! It’s excessive in protein, fiber with moderate carbohydrates. Plus it’s easily adaptable to gluten-free, low sodium, or dairy free diets..

Can I use frozen hen?

Sure. Thaw totally and pat dry earlier than cooking.

What temperature ought to hen attain?

165°F / 74°C for protected consumption.

Can I make it forward?

Sure. It shops in the fridge or freezer and reheats nicely.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Sure. Guarantee broth and seasoning are licensed gluten-free.

Taco Soup vs Tortilla Soup

  • Taco Soup: Hearty, stew like, with beans, hen/beef, corn, tomatoes, taco spices. It’s TexMex impressed, chunky in texture topped with chips, cheese, avocado.

  • Tortilla Soup: Lighter, broth primarily based, usually hen & tomato, with chiles. It’s a conventional Mexican recipe, not an inspiration. The soup is thinner,  topped with fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, lime, cilantro.

What Is a 7 Can Soup?

A 7 can soup is a comfort model of hen taco soup the place most substances come straight from cans. The thought is to make a quick, minimal prep model of the soup with out chopping or cooking uncooked substances from scratch. Many trendy recipes for hen taco soup began from this “7 can” technique.

Usually, it contains:

  1. Canned henpre cooked and shredded
  2. Canned beansblack beans, pinto beans, or chili beans
  3. Canned corncandy and prepared to go
  4. Canned diced tomatoesgenerally fir –roasted
  5. Canned tomato sauce and inventoryfor a saucier consistency
  6. Canned inexperienced chilesprovides TexMex taste and delicate warmth
  7. Canned taco seasoning packetor premade spice combine

Therefore the identify: 7 cans.” Some variations may swap or mix substances, however the precept is seven canned objects for comfort.

two bowls of chicken taco soup loaded with toppings on a serving board

BEST Taco Recipes

Flank Steak Tacos
Taco Spaghetti
Floor Beef Tacos
Taco Soup
Floor Hen Tacos
Lamb Tacos
Mahi Mahi Tacos
Taco Salad
Salmon Tacos
Birria Tacos

close up of a full bowl of chicken taco soup loaded with toppings and ready to eat

Hen Taco Soup

Hen taco soup is a hearty, Tex Mex impressed one pot meal that captures the daring flavors of tacos in a heat, comforting bowl. Combining shredded hen, beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, cream cheese and taco spices, this soup is each filling and flavorful.

Components

Hen

  • 3
    hen breasts
    sliced in half to have two equal halves

Do-it-yourself Taco Seasoning

  • 1
    teaspoon
    garlic powder
  • 1 1/2
    teaspoon
    Oregano
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    onion powder
  • 1/4
    teaspoon
    cumin
  • 1
    tablespoon
    chilli powder
  • 1
    teaspoon
    paprika
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    salt and pepper

Taco Soup

  • 1
    tablespoon
    oil
    gentle olive oil or cooking oil
  • 1
    onion
    diced
  • 1
    bell pepper
    diced
  • 3
    garlic cloves
    minced
  • 1
    can
    rotel tomatoes
  • 1
    cup
    crushed tomatoes
  • 5
    cups
    hen broth
  • 1
    can
    black beans
    rinsed and drained
  • 1
    cup
    corn kernels
    Contemporary or frozen
  • 4
    tabelspoons
    cream cheese
  • 1/3
    cup
    Cilantro leaves
  • 1
    lime
    juice

Toppings – Non-compulsory

  • 1
    tortilla strips
  • 2
    Avocados
    sliced
  • 1/3
    cup
    bitter cream
  • 1
    cup
    cheddar cheese
    shredded
  • 1/4
    cup
    cilantro
  • 1
    lime
    minimize into slices and wedges
  • 1
    Tomato
    diced
  • 1/2
    purple onion
    diced

Directions

Stovetop Methodology (Finest Taste)

  1. Slice every hen breast in half, and season liberally on either side with the do-it-yourself taco seasoning.

  2. Warmth the oil in a big pot (the identical pot you’ll use for the soup).

  3. Add the hen and sear for 3-4 minutes per aspect till golden.

  4. Take away the hen on to a separate plate and begin with the soup.

  5. Warmth oil in a big pot over medium warmth. Sauté onions and bell peppers with some taco seasoning till delicate.

  6. Add garlic and prepare dinner 30–60 seconds to bloom flavors.

  7. Stir in tomatoes and broth. Carry to a simmer.

  8. Reduce the hen into the scale you favor. We minimize them into strips, however you are able to do cubes or chunks, and even shred the hen.

  9. Add the hen, beans and corn to the soup and produce to a boil. Then scale back warmth and simmer gently 25–half-hour.

  10. End the soup by including within the cream cheese and cilantro. Stir till the cheese blends in and the soup turns extremely creamy.

  11. Add the cilantro, a squeeze of lime, modify seasoning with salt, lime juice, or additional spices.

Sluggish Cooker Model / Crockpot Methodology (Arms Off Comfort)

  1. If utilizing uncooked hen, season it and sear it individually in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per aspect. Reduce the hen into strips. If utilizing prepared cooked hen, then simply add it it proper in with the remaining substances.

  2. Mix all substances in sluggish cooker.

  3. Cook dinner 6-8  hours on low or 3-4 hours on excessive.

  4. Add the cream cheese, cilantro and lime simply earlier than serving.

On the spot Pot Methodology (Quick & Flavorful)

  1. Sauté the hen if utilizing uncooked, much like the above range prime directions.

  2. Take away the hen and proceed sautéing onions, peppers. Add garlic and spices utilizing the sauté perform.

  3. Add remaining substances and the hen.

  4. Strain prepare dinner 10–12 minutes; fast launch.

  5. End off with the cream cheese, cilantro and modify seasoning.

Make Tortilla Strips and Put together Toppings

  1. minimize the tortillas into skinny strips

  2. Pan fry them or air fry them till golden, and season with salt.

  3. slice the avocados, shred the cheese, cube the onions and tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño, put together bitter cream, minimize lime wedges and extra!

  4. Prepare the toppings to your style and let everybody prime their taco soup to their style!

Recipe Notes

Professional Ideas For Hen Taco Soup

  1. Pat hen dry earlier than cooking for higher texture.
  2. Make your personal or use high quality taco seasoning.
  3. Season the hen earlier than searing as a substitute of including it uncooked to poach within the soup. This step makes an unbelievable distinction within the taco soup style!! 
  4. Add the taco seasoning to the onion and garlic sautéing steps as nicely so the spice hit the new oil. This unlocks aroma and depth.
  5. Reduce the hen into strips or dices, keep away from smaller items. take into accout it should soften up and break up barely within the soup.
  6. Use rotisserie hen for comfort, additionally do not cube too finely as it should break aside.
  7. Simmer the soup gently, keep away from excessive warmth.
  8. Mash a few beans for a creamier soup or add extra broth if too thick.
  9. Add the cream cheese on the finish just for a creamy taco soup and let is soften within the warmth of the soup.
  10. Lime juice and cilantro elevate the ultimate flavors.

Hen Taco Soup Variations

  • Creamy Hen Taco Soup: Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream. This one is our household favourite!
  • Spicy  or Smoky Model: Add chipotle in adobo or contemporary jalapeños.
  • Low Carb Model: Skip beans and corn, use extra hen.
  • Inexperienced Hen Taco Soup: Substitute tomatoes with inexperienced chiles and tomatillos.

Why is my soup bland?

The soup might be bland is the taco seasoning is simply added in direction of the tip. As a substitute bloom spices correctly with the onions, garlic and sautee them for a bit. End with numerous cilantro and lime for taste.

Why is my hen dry?

Keep away from overcooking the hen, particularly hen breasts should be eliminated at 165°F inside temp.

Why is my soup watery?

You might have added an excessive amount of inventory, so simmer the soup uncovered, mash some beans, or add crushed tortilla chips.

Why are my beans mushy?

They’re in all probability outdated or some manufacturers can have softer beans than others. Simply add additional beans in direction of the tip and do not simmer these for greater than 5 minutes.

Why does it style too acidic?

You might have added an excessive amount of lime, or used the bottled lime. To repair this, steadiness with a pinch of sugar or extra broth.

Storage, Freezing and Reheating

  • Fridge: Leftovers hold for five days in hermetic container.
  • Freezer: You’ll be able to freeze the prepared soup with out toppings for up to 3 months. You’ll be able to portion the soup and freeze in freezer-safe baggage.
  • Reheat: Gently reheat in a pot over medium low warmth, it’s possible you’ll want so as to add 1-2 tablespoons of inventory.

Toppings and Serving Options

  • Crunch: Crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortillas
  • Creaminess: Avocado or guacamole, bitter cream
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack
  • Freshness: Cilantro or inexperienced onions
  • Serve: ith rice, cornbread, or a easy inexperienced salad

Is Hen Taco Soup wholesome?

Sure! It is excessive in protein, fiber with moderate carbohydrates. Plus it is easily adaptable to gluten-free, low sodium, or dairy free diets..

Can I use frozen hen?

Sure. Thaw totally and pat dry earlier than cooking.

What temperature ought to hen attain?

165°F / 74°C for protected consumption.

Can I make it forward?

Sure. It shops in the fridge or freezer and reheats nicely.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Sure. Guarantee broth and seasoning are licensed gluten-free.

Taco Soup vs Tortilla Soup

  • Taco Soup: Hearty, stew like, with beans, hen/beef, corn, tomatoes, taco spices. It’s TexMex impressed, chunky in texture topped with chips, cheese, avocado.

  • Tortilla Soup: Lighter, broth primarily based, usually hen & tomato, with chiles. It is a conventional Mexican recipe, not an inspiration. The soup is thinner,  topped with fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, lime, cilantro.

Diet Details

Hen Taco Soup

Quantity Per Serving

Energy 498
Energy from Fats 234

% Each day Worth*

Fats 26g40%

Saturated Fats 8g50%

Trans Fats 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fats 3g

Monounsaturated Fats 11g

Ldl cholesterol 103mg34%

Sodium 1323mg58%

Potassium 1328mg38%

Carbohydrates 34g11%

Fiber 12g50%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 1992IU40%

Vitamin C 50mg61%

Calcium 230mg23%

Iron 3mg17%

* P.c Each day Values are primarily based on a 2000 calorie food regimen.

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