A few weeks ago I cooked up a bunch of chicken and filled the bottom drawer of our freezer with bags of shredded chicken. Then I started thinking about what I could make with my abundance of shredded chicken.
Chicken tacos sounded good…but we didn’t have any tortillas and I didn’t feel like going to the store.
So I came up with “Plan B” — taco salad — except then I realized we didn’t have enough lettuce for a “main dish” salad.
So, I resorted to “Plan C” — make up my own recipe with what I have in the house and hope it turns out!
And since Mexican food is a favorite around our house, I continued with my taco theme and made up this recipe for Taco Soup — which turned out to be absolutely delicious {and really simple}.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1 medium onion — chopped
- 2 garlic cloves — minced
- 1 quart tomatoes {I can my own, but you could also use 2 15 oz. cans}
- 1 15 oz can corn — with liquid
- 1 15 oz can chili beans {I used Brooks}
- 1 jar salsa
- 1 pkg. taco seasoning
- 3 c. shredded chicken
- Shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oil in a large dutch oven or other large soup pan
- Saute onions and garlic for about 5 minutes
- Dump in full cans of tomatoes, corn, chili beans {all with the juices}, and salsa.
- Stir until combined
- Dump in taco seasoning and shredded chicken
- Simmer for about 15 -20 minutes — or until heated through
- Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and any of your other favorite taco toppings
Taco Soup was such a success the first time around that I’ve already made another double batch for the freezer!
This recipe is definitely one I’ll continue to make; not only because it’s delicious, but also because I can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes, and the ingredients are always in our pantry and freezer.
It’s the perfect week-night meal!
What are your favorite quick, simple, week-night meals?
Patti says
What size salsa do you use?
Amanda says
Have you ever made this using beef instead of chicken?
Andrea says
I’m fairly confident you can substitute meats for almost any soup — especially this one!
shelly says
What size salsa do you use? This is a faster recipe than mine. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Love this recipe! I used ground chicken, since that’s what I had found on sale (plus I HATE shredding chicken), and added a can of diced tomatoes. I’ll get several meals out of this plus I’m freezing muffin tin “pucks” of it for later as well. Thank you!
Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead says
This looks delicious…think I might make this for dinner tonight!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Andrea says
Let me know if it turns out!!
Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead says
Just chowed down on a bowl of this. SO good. I made a few mods of course (I can’t leave anything alone) but it was mostly because of what I had on hand and problems getting some things in Germany. Used homemade taco seasoning instead of packet and forgot the cheddar because I was so starved by the time I ate it. But looking forward to leftovers tomorrow 🙂
Thanks again for sharing this!
Andrea says
Glad it turned out Tiffany!
Oh, and I ALWAY make modifications when I cook.
Plus, nearly every recipe on this site is easily customizable to fit the ingredients you have on hand…or what your family likes. I figure those are the only recipes that work for busy families!
Ralph says
Taco Soup sounds good. Going to make it soon. I know my boys will love it.
Tonight I made Lentil Chili in my pressure cooker.
I soaked a pound of green Lentils since early this morning.
Cooked in pressure cooker for 5 minutes.
Then added,
4 garlic cloves
1 medium sized red pepper
1 medium sized onion
2 15 ounce cans of diced tomatoes
Salt
Chili Powder
Franks Red Hot
(All three to taste, sorry I don’t measure)
Mix remainder of ingredients and allow cooker to get up to pressure. Take
pot off stove. Wait about ten minutes and serve.
Cost is under five dollars for at least eight servings.
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing Ralph. I’ll have to add this recipe to my collection!