Cheesy Creamy Chicken Taco Soup
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Cheesy Creamy Chicken Taco Soup, a cozy dish that transforms humble bone-in chicken thighs into a rich, creamy delight. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, this recipe combines tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a blend of tasty spices, ensuring a satisfying meal for the whole family. Perfect for busy weekdays, this soup can be easily prepped in advance and is adaptable to your spice preference. Serve it with a side of salad and warm cornbread for a complete dinner that everyone will love. Whether you choose to add cooked rice or enjoy it as is, this delightful soup is sure to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken thighs, bone-in
2 lbs (Remove skin and visible fat)
Chicken broth
14 ounces (Canned or homemade)
Beer
10 ounces (Any light beer)
Celery
2 stalks (Sliced)
Onion
1 medium (Diced)
Black beans
15 ounces (Canned, drained, and rinsed)
Rotel tomatoes with chilies
10 ounces (Canned)
Diced tomatoes
15 ounces (Canned)
Taco seasoning mix
1 ounce (1 package)
Fat-free cream cheese
8 ounces (Cubed)
Brown rice
3 cups (Cooked, optional)
Tortilla chips
To taste (Crushed, optional)
Cheddar cheese
To taste (Shredded, optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by removing the skin and any visible fat from the chicken thighs. Place the cleaned chicken thighs into the crock pot along with the chicken broth, beer, sliced celery, and diced onion.
2
Set the crock pot to high and cook for about 2 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Once done, carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot and allow it to cool slightly.
3
Remove the bones from the chicken thighs and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. Add the diced chicken back into the broth mixture in the crock pot. If making ahead, this step can be done the night before; simply refrigerate overnight and skim off the fat before proceeding.
4
Add the drained and rinsed black beans, Rotel tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning packet to the crock pot. Mix well, then cover and set the crock pot to low for up to 8 hours or on high for about 2 hours.
5
About 30 minutes before serving, add the cubed cream cheese to the soup and switch the crock pot to high. Stir the soup gently until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, breaking up any large pieces with the back of a spoon.
6
If using the optional cooked brown rice, add it now and allow it to heat through for a few more minutes.
7
Serve the soup hot, garnished with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Creamy Chicken Taco Soup?
It is a comforting and rich slow-cooker soup that combines bone-in chicken thighs, vegetables, and spices into a creamy meal.
What type of chicken should I use for this soup?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 lbs of bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor.
Do I need to prep the chicken thighs before cooking?
Yes, you should remove the skin and any visible fat from the chicken thighs before placing them in the crock pot.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 14 ounces of chicken broth, which can be either canned or homemade.
What kind of beer is recommended for the broth?
The recipe suggests using 10 ounces of any light beer.
What vegetables are added at the beginning of the cook?
Sliced celery (2 stalks) and one medium diced onion are added to the crock pot at the start.
How long is the initial cooking phase for the chicken?
Cook the chicken thighs on high for approximately 2 hours or until they are fully cooked.
What do I do with the chicken once it is cooked?
Remove the chicken from the crock pot, allow it to cool, remove the bones, and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Can I make the broth and chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the chicken in the broth the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and skim off the fat before continuing.
What beans are used in this taco soup?
The recipe uses 15 ounces of canned black beans that have been drained and rinsed.
What types of tomatoes are included?
The soup includes 10 ounces of Rotel tomatoes with chilies and 15 ounces of standard diced tomatoes.
How much taco seasoning is needed?
Use one 1-ounce package of taco seasoning mix.
When do I add the beans and tomatoes?
Add the black beans, Rotel, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning after the chicken has been chopped and returned to the pot.
How long should the soup cook after adding the beans and tomatoes?
You can cook it on low for up to 8 hours or on high for about 2 hours.
What makes the soup creamy?
The addition of 8 ounces of fat-free cream cheese provides the creamy texture.
When should I add the cream cheese?
Add the cubed cream cheese about 30 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.
Do I need to change the heat setting when adding cream cheese?
Yes, switch the crock pot to the high setting when adding the cream cheese to help it melt.
How do I ensure the cream cheese is fully incorporated?
Stir the soup gently and use the back of a spoon to break up any large pieces of cream cheese as they melt.
Is rice a required ingredient?
No, 3 cups of cooked brown rice is an optional addition.
If using rice, when should it be added?
Add the cooked brown rice after the cream cheese has melted and allow it to heat through for a few minutes.
What are the recommended garnishes for this soup?
The soup is best served with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese.
What side dishes pair well with this meal?
It is recommended to serve this soup with a side salad and warm cornbread.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, the recipe is adaptable to your spice preference depending on the taco seasoning and Rotel used.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 13 total ingredients, including optional items like rice and toppings.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weekdays?
Yes, because it uses a crock pot and can be prepped in advance, it is perfect for busy schedules.
Can I use regular cream cheese?
While the recipe calls for fat-free cream cheese, regular cream cheese can be substituted if desired.
How should the celery be prepared?
The 2 stalks of celery should be sliced before being added to the crock pot.
Is the beer necessary?
The beer adds flavor to the broth base, but it is one of the liquid components that defines the recipe's unique taste.
How do I handle the chicken bones?
After the initial 2-hour cook, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and discard the bones before chopping the meat.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is removing the skin and fat from the chicken thighs and placing them in the crock pot with broth, beer, celery, and onion.