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Creamy Chicken Taco Soup

Creamy chicken taco soup with a silky, ruby-red broth made by whisking in cream cheese instead of canned cream soup. Simmer chicken with beans, corn, and tomatoes, then finish with crisp tortilla strips for a hearty bowl.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Creamy chicken taco soup base
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast Cut into bite-size pieces so it simmers quickly.
  • 1 yellow onion Dice for even flavor in every spoonful.
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans Drain and rinse if desired for less sodium.
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn Drain well if using canned.
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and chiles Keep the juices for the ruby-red broth color.
  • 1 taco seasoning Use a packet for consistent seasoning.
  • 3 cup chicken broth Add gradually only after everything else is in the pot.
  • 6 oz cream cheese Soften before whisking to prevent lumps.
  • 1 cup tortilla strips Top at the end for crunch.

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Cook the soup
  1. Add the chicken, onion, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes and chiles, taco seasoning, and chicken broth to a Dutch oven, stirring to combine.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then simmer for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is cooked through.
  3. Shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks, then stir to distribute it evenly.
Make it creamy
  1. Turn heat to low and whisk in the softened cream cheese until silky and fully melted, about 1 to 2 minutes, until the broth looks smooth.
Finish and serve
  1. Top each bowl with tortilla strips right before serving so they stay crisp.

Notes

Soften the cream cheese before whisking so it melts smoothly and gives you a silky texture without lumps. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop (low heat) to keep the broth creamy. Freezing is not recommended because cream cheese can become grainy after thawing. For a dairy-free swap, use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and whisk until smooth, then check seasoning before serving.