Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
This easy gluten-free chicken taco soup recipe is a hearty, one-pot meal made with tender chicken, black beans, sweet corn, salsa, and a flavorful broth. Whether you’re using leftover chicken or freshly cooked chicken, this gluten-free chicken taco soup comes together with simple pantry ingredients for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. If you have homemade chicken bone broth on hand, it adds even more rich, homemade flavor, but regular chicken broth works as well.
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This gluten-free chicken taco soup comes together quickly and is ready in about an hour. Recipes like this are great to keep in your back pocket for days when you don’t have a lot of time to spend standing in front of the stove but still want to serve a nourishing, delicious meal.
Using precooked chicken saves time, and my favorite way to keep cooked chicken on hand is to cook whole chickens and freeze the meat in quart bags so that I have the ability to make quick, easy meals like this chicken taco soup.
I consider this recipe to be very mild, so it’s great for those who don’t love a lot of spice. Not one of my kids complains about the spice, and they gobble it up happily. If you like spice, I list ways to turn up the heat further down in the post. It’s customizable so everyone can adjust their bowl and be happy!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Chicken Taco Soup
- Naturally Gluten-Free-This soup is made with wholesome real food ingredients that are naturally gluten-free. No special ingredients needed! As always, still check your labels to make sure there are no sneaky gluten ingredients added.
- Perfect for Leftover Chicken- Whether you have leftover meat from roasting a whole bird, have cooked chicken in the freezer, or a rotisserie chicken, this soup recipe is a great way to use up chicken and turn it into a whole new meal.
- One Pot Dinner-One pot makes cleanup a breeze!
- Fast Easy Dinner-Ready in an hour, with little effort. After adding the ingredients to the stockpot, there’s not much more to do other than stir it every now and then. It makes for a quick, easy dinner with no fuss.
- Great for Meal Prep-This soup tastes just as good, if not better the next day so making this recipe ahead of time works out great!
What You’ll Need to Make This Chicken Taco Soup
The ingredients that make up this soup are so simple and delicious, and the best part is you probably already have them stocked in your pantry!
Ingredients:
Cooked Chicken-Cooked chicken makes this recipe easy and keeps the cooking time short.
Some options include:
- Leftover roasted chicken
- Rotisserie chicken (for gluten-free, verify that the seasonings used are g/f)
- Cooked chicken breasts
- Cooked chicken thighs
- Leftover grilled chicken
One of my favorite ways to meal-prep is to cook chicken and freeze it so that making a recipe like this is easy and fast!
Chicken Bone Broth-Using homemade bone broth gives this soup a deep, rich flavor. I also like the nutrients it adds to the soup. You can also use regular chicken broth as well.
If you’ve never made your own bone broth before, be sure to check out my Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Recipe. It’s an easy way to make the most of a whole chicken while creating a flavorful broth for soups like this one.
Salsa-One ingredient that adds so much flavor! Use mild for a family-friendly level of spice. Use medium or hot if you like a little more heat.
Black Beans-Black beans are my favorite type of bean for this soup, but if you don’t have those on hand you could try using pinto beans instead.
Frozen Corn-Frozen sweet corn adds just a bit of sweetness to balance out the spices in the soup. I love using sweet corn that we cut off the cob and freeze in the summertime to enjoy all year long. It has the best flavor, and if you have never done that, I highly recommend preserving some when sweet corn is in season. If you don’t have any preserved corn, you can buy some frozen corn from the grocery store as well.
Seasoning Options
This recipe gives you two easy ways to season your soup, depending on what you have in your pantry. Choose whichever one you prefer. As far as convenience goes, having the taco seasoning recipe already made up and ready to go makes recipes like this even faster, so I’d recommend that for next time.
Individual Spices
If you’re making this recipe for the first time, simply use the spices listed in the recipe card. They’re measured to create a well-balanced taco flavor without being overly spicy.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
If you’ve already mixed up a batch of my Homemade Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning, you can save a few minutes by using 1½ tablespoons instead of measuring each spice individually.
Cilantro-Fresh cilantro or dried works fine. The only difference will be when they get added to the soup. Dried cilantro will get added at the beginning, and fresh will get added towards the end.
Toppings-These are optional but really take this soup to a new level. Top this chicken taco soup with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, gluten-free tortilla chips, sliced avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and sliced jalapeños.
Equipment:
How to Make This Gluten-Free Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Place the cooked chicken, chicken bone broth, diced tomatoes (undrained), salsa, black beans (drained and rinsed), sweet corn, and spices into a large stockpot. If you’re using dried cilantro, add that now. If you’re using fresh cilantro, don’t add it just yet. We will add that at the end.
Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a gentle simmer for 20 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. If you’re using fresh cilantro add it in during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
Taste and adjust salt and seasonings as needed.
It’s done and ready to serve!
Best Toppings for Chicken Taco Soup
The toppings are one of the most fun parts of serving chicken taco soup because everyone can customize their own bowl.
- Shredded cheddar cheese or any dairy-free cheese
- Sour cream, regular or dairy-free
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh diced tomatoes
- Green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Lime wedges
- Crushed gluten-free tortilla chips— I love these chips. For grain-free, I like these chips.
It’s an easy way to customize the meal and makes dinner a little more fun for both kids and adults alike.
Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Taco Soup
Use Homemade Chicken Bone Broth for Richer Flavor
If you have homemade chicken bone broth this is the perfect recipe to use it in. Bone broth adds a rich, savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with the tomatoes, salsa, and taco-inspired spices.
Don’t worry if you don’t have homemade bone broth on hand. Regular chicken broth will still make a delicious soup, so use what you have available.
If you’ve never made homemade bone broth before, be sure to check out my Ultimate Bone Broth Guide.
Taste Before Adding More Salt
The amount of salt this soup needs can vary depending on the ingredients you use. Store-bought broth, canned tomatoes, salsa, and even black beans all contain different amounts of sodium.
Before adding extra salt, give the soup a taste after it has finished simmering. You may find it doesn’t need any additional seasoning at all.
Keep Homemade Taco Seasoning on Hand
If you enjoy recipes like this gluten-free chicken taco soup, I highly recommend making a batch of my Homemade Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning to keep in your pantry. Instead of measuring all the different spices every time you make taco soup, tacos, chili, or taco meat, you can simply measure out the seasoning blend and get dinner on the table even faster.
Customize the Spice Level
I consider this a very mild soup. Everyone in my family eats it without complaint—even the spice haters, but here are some options if you find you need to adjust it.
For a🌶️ milder soup:
- Reduce the chili powder or taco seasoning
- Use a mild salsa
For a 🌶️ 🌶️ spicier soup:
- Use a medium or hot salsa
- Add diced jalapeños
- Add 1 extra teaspoon of chili powder
- Serve with sliced fresh jalapeños
How to Store Chicken Taco Soup
One of the best things about this soup is that it makes a generous amount and it stores great. Like many soups it tastes even better the next day.
Refrigerator Storage
Allow the soup to cool slightly before transferring it to storage containers.
For best results:
- Store the soup in an airtight container.
- Keep it refrigerated for up to4 days.
- Store toppings separately so they stay fresh.
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, simply reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat or warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through.
If the soup has thickened after being refrigerated, add a splash of chicken broth or water while reheating to reach your desired consistency.
Can You Freeze Chicken Taco Soup?
Yes! This chicken taco soup freezes very well, making it a great recipe to prepare ahead of time or save for a quick meal on busy days.
Freezing soup is also a wonderful way to make the most of a large batch. Instead of cooking from scratch every time you need dinner, you can have a homemade meal ready to go in your freezer.
How to Freeze Chicken Taco Soup
For the best results:
- Allow the soup to cool completely before freezing.
- Transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Leave a little room at the top for expansion as the soup freezes.
- Label the container with the name and date.
- Freeze up to 3 to 6 months.
How to Reheat Frozen Chicken Taco Soup
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen soup:
- Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture. If you forget to thaw, you could warm it directly from the freezer, it will take longer but it does work.
- Warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Add extra broth if needed.
If you freeze it in individual portions, you can also reheat them in the microwave, making this a convenient option for quick lunches.
Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Large stockpot
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
- 4 cups chicken bone broth or chicken broth
- 2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 16-ounce jar mild salsa
- 2 15.5-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups frozen sweet corn
Seasoning Option 1: Individual Spices
- 1 teaspoon fine mineral salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
OR
Seasoning Option 2: Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1½ tablespoons Homemade Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning-link found in notes section
Fresh or Dried Cilantro
- 2 –3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
OR
- ½ teaspoon dried cilantro add with the other dried seasonings
Instructions
- Add the cooked chicken, chicken bone broth, diced tomatoes, salsa, black beans, frozen sweet corn, and either Seasoning Option 1: Individual Spices or Seasoning Option 2: Homemade Taco Seasoning to a large stockpot. If using dried cilantro, add it now. Stir well to combine.
- Place the stockpot over medium-high heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a gentle simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If using fresh cilantro, stir it into the soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Taste and adjust the salt or seasonings as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Shredded cheddar cheese or any dairy-free cheese
- Sour cream, regular or dairy-free
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh diced tomatoes
- Green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Lime wedges
- Crushed gluten-free tortilla chips
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken taco soup gluten-free?
Yes, this chicken taco soup is naturally gluten-free. The main ingredients—chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices—are naturally free from gluten.
As always, check ingredient labels if you are cooking for someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, especially for:
•Chicken broth
•Salsa
•Taco Seasoning
•Tortilla chips or other toppings
Using homemade taco seasoning is a great way to have complete control over the ingredients.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for chicken taco soup?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make this recipe even quicker. If you are gluten-free, verify that the seasonings used on the rotisserie chicken are gluten-free. Simply remove the meat from the bones, shred or dice it, and add it to the soup as directed.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning instead of individual spices?
Yes! This recipe was designed to work either way.
If you already have a batch of homemade gluten-free taco seasoning, use 1½ tablespoons in place of the individual spices listed in the recipe.
How can I make chicken taco soup spicier?
This soup is easy to customize.
For a spicier version, try:
• Using medium or hot salsa
• Adding diced jalapeños
• Sprinkling in cayenne pepper
• Adding extra chili powder
• Serving with sliced jalapeños on top
How can I make chicken taco soup dairy-free?
The soup itself is naturally dairy-free. Simply choose dairy-free toppings when serving.
Some options include:
• Dairy-free shredded cheese
• Dairy-free sour cream
• Avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Gluten-free tortilla chips
Can I make this chicken taco soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup is a great make-ahead meal. The flavors often become even better after sitting overnight, making it a great option for busy weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, bringing to friends or family, or freezer meals. Simply reheat and add fresh toppings before serving.
Can I make this chicken taco soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! This chicken taco soup can easily be adapted for the slow cooker, making it a convenient option for busy days when you want dinner ready when you need it. Since this recipe uses cooked chicken, the slow cooker is mainly used to warm the ingredients and allow the flavors to blend together rather than cook the meat.
For best results:
• Add all ingredients to your slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 3–4 hours.
• Add fresh cilantro during the last few minutes of cooking or just before serving.
