Description
This cozy Slow Cooker Chicken Quesadilla Soup has all the flavors of your favorite cheesy quesadilla in a warm, hearty bowl. Tender shredded chicken simmers with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices, then gets finished with melty cheese for a rich, crave-worthy finish. It’s weeknight-easy, family-friendly, and perfect for loading up with crunchy toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend), plus more for serving if desired
- Tortilla chips, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Sour cream, for serving (optional)
- Lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chopped onion, and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine, keeping the chicken on the bottom.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
- Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board and shred it with two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the broth, vegetables, and spices.
- Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted and the soup is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with tortilla chips, fresh cilantro, extra cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, stir in an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese just before serving.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and rinse your beans well if you want more control over the salt level.
- If the soup is thicker than you like, thin it with a bit more chicken broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it cook uncovered on HIGH for 15–20 minutes.
- This soup thickens as it cools; leftover soup will be even heartier the next day.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal (approx.)
- Sugar: 4 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 820 mg (approx., varies by broth and cheese)
- Fat: 12 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 5 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 6 g (approx.)
- Protein: 27 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 75 mg (approx.)
Keywords: slow cooker chicken quesadilla soup, crockpot chicken soup, cheesy chicken soup, tex mex soup, easy weeknight dinner