Slow Cooker King Ranch Chicken Soup 🍲🧑‍🍳

This hearty and flavorful soup combines the classic elements of King Ranch casserole with the convenience of a slow cooker. Perfect for cozy dinners, game day, or when you need a comforting dish, this recipe captures the essence of Tex-Mex cuisine with tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a touch of spice. Pair it with tortilla chips or a dollop of sour cream for a complete meal! 🌶️🧀

Ingredients

For the soup base

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For garnishing

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

• In your slow cooker, place the chicken breasts at the bottom. Add in the cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, diced onion, diced bell pepper, minced garlic, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.

🔥 For a little extra heat, you can add a chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce!

• Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

• About 30 minutes before serving, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and stir to combine it with the soup.

🥄 If you like your soup to be thicker, you can mash some of the black beans with a fork before stirring!

• Once ready, ladle the soup into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and tortilla strips or crushed chips for crunch.

Variations

• Spicy: Add extra diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. 🔥
• Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken with an extra can of beans or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead.
• Low-carb: Skip the black beans and corn and add more veggies like zucchini or cauliflower for a delicious low-carb option.
• Creamy version: Stir in half a cup of heavy cream or sour cream at the end for a richer, creamier soup.

🥦 Consider loading your soup with even more vegetables, like carrots or kale, to boost the nutrients without compromising the flavor!

Enjoy this delightful Slow Cooker King Ranch Chicken Soup, perfect for warming up on chilly nights! 🌟🥘