Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Meal Prep Recipe
Overview
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is an excellent meal prep option that’s both convenient and delicious. With minimal effort and hands-free cooking, you can whip up a batch that feeds the whole family or provides you with meals for the week ahead.
Time-Saving Tips
- Batch Preparation: Make a double batch of the soup on the weekend. You can easily portion it out for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Shortcut Ingredients: Use pre-diced vegetables from the grocery store or frozen corn to save on prep time.
- Prep Toppings in Advance: Chop your favorite toppings (like avocados, cilantro, and tortilla strips) and store them in separate containers in the fridge for easy access during the week.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- ½ large sweet onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken stock (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup frozen yellow corn
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Optional Toppings
- Tortilla strips
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
-
Prepare Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the lime juice, cilantro, and toppings. Transfer to your slow cooker.
-
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
-
Shred Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken and let it cool. Discard the bones and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
-
Final Touches: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Dish out the soup and top with your choice of toppings.
Storage Options
-
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freeze: Allow the soup to cool completely. Portion it into plastic freezer bags or airtight containers, ensuring you squeeze out excess air. Label and date them, then freeze for up to 2 months. For quicker thawing, lay the bags flat in the freezer.
Reheating
To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm over low heat on the stove, stirring regularly until heated through.
Meal Prep Benefits
By prepping this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, you provide yourself with a hearty, nutritious meal that’s easy to reheat and customize with various toppings. Enjoy the comforting flavors all week long without the hassle of daily cooking!