Slow Cooker Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup

📝Shopping list

To make this hearty crock pot soup, you will need these simple ingredients:

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• black beans rinsed and drained
• diced fire-roasted tomatoes - with all juices
• canned cream-style corn
• canned sweet corn drained
• enchilada sauce
• onion diced
• green chiles diced
• cumin
• smoked paprika
• chili powder
• coriander
• chicken stock
• whipped cream cheese
• sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• lime optional garnish
• cilantro optional garnish

💜Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Ease:  Just add all the ingredients and let your slow cooker work its magic! 
• Flavor: The combination of Southwest spices, creamy corn, savory chicken, and chewy beans make for a delicious one-pot meal. 
• Filling: This soup is packed with protein and fiber, making it a filling and satisfying meal.
• Picky eater approved!  Even your pickiest won't turn this one down! 

🔪Instructions

This amazing soup involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

• 🥘 Place uncooked chicken breast into greased slow cooker
• 🥘 Add in all ingredients, other than dairy and garnishes. Stir to combine
• 🥘 Cover and cook 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high
• 🥘 After cooking time, remove chicken breasts and set aside
• 🥘 Stir in whipped cream cheese* and shredded cheddar.  Cover and allow the cheeses to fully melt into the soup. 
• 🥘 Use two forks to shred chicken breast
• 🥘 Add shredded chicken back into soup in slow cooker
• 🥘 Top with garnishes as desired once in serving bowls.  

🍽Serving suggestions

• Crusty bread, tortilla chips, and crackers all made great, crunchy side-kicks for this creamy southwest chicken soup recipe
• A cool, crisp side salad is a perfect pairing for this delicious soup
• Our favorite way to serve this easy recipe is in a bread bowl for extra fun and deliciousness
• Top with a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a tangy twist.  

🔁Substitutions

• This great recipe is a family favorite in my house because it is not spicy.  However, if you like it hot, dial up the heat by adding sliced jalapeno pepper, hot chili peppers, or some green hot sauce.  
• Swap boneless, skinless thighs for breasts
• Love the flavors but not the dairy?  Check out Chicken tortilla soup or taco soup   
• Switch black beans with white beans such as cannellini beans or great northern beans.

😉Hints & hacks

1. This is a great meal prep recipe. You can assemble all the ingredients (other than the cheeses) the night before and store in the refrigerator.  In the morning, just pop them into your slow cooker.  
2. For families with different dinner times, this is a great dish. At the end of cooking, turn your slow cooker to warm (or have it automatically switch to warm, if available). Everyone can have a hot and filling meal, no matter what time of the evening they are ready to eat. 
3. Not a fan of cutting onion? Stay lazy like me and buy pre-chopped onion in the frozen veggie section of your market. It is very inexpensive and saves a lot of tears!
4. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
5. In the market for a new slow cooker?  I Love mine!
6. Always check to ensure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!  There is nothing more disappointing than coming home to a cold crockpot! 😏