Crock Pot Low-Carb Chicken Tortilla Soup
Nothing beats a taco soup or chicken tortilla soup. However, for some of us trying to watch our carbs, they just don’t work. So, since I have made my low-carb taco soup I have been on a mission for a crock pot low-carb chicken tortilla soup. This keto chicken tortilla soup is creamy and hearty crock pot chicken tortilla soup that will not leave you craving. Plus my non-low carb eaters licked their bowls cleaned.
For those of you are like listen, I don’t want to be low-carb, this chicken tortilla soup is for you too. You don’t have to use my high-fat, low-carb ingredients. It will work just fine with simple substitutions. I will highlight those in the recipe.
Low-Carb Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients
The ingredients in this soup are slightly different than the other low-carb soups I have made. Heavy whipping cream and pepper jack cheese are the keys to success with this soup.
Here are the ingredients you need to make this low-carb chicken soup:
- Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my preference of chicken in this low-carb chicken soup. Chicken breasts can be used too, but will not have as much fat and therefore not as much flavor.
- Heavy whipping cream – half and half is fine if not on a keto diet. Read the carb amounts on dairy products so you don’t hurt macros.
- Low-carb salsa – Look for a salsa that has low sugar content. I grab the Frontera Double Roasted Tomato Salsa for my low-carb salsa.
- Adobo seasoning – Penzeys Adobo seasoning is my go-to adobo pick. There isn’t salt added to this one, so I can control the salt.
- Chicken broth – Either standard chicken broth or Better than Bouillon and water will work in this soup recipe.
- Xanthan gum – When making low-carb or keto recipes, xanthan gum is your friend as a thickener. Not on a low carb diet? Then cornstarch could be used too.
- Cheese – colby or colby-jack cheese is a great option. Also using Queso Quesadilla cheese is a great option that has tons of flavor and good melting in the soup. Add some heat with also using shredded pepper jack cheese.
- Tortillas – When on a low-carb diet you can use these low-carb whole wheat tortillas.
- butter – The real stuff, 100% dairy butter made with cream.
Let me be real for a quick minute. I have two chest freezers full of beef and pork. So, when I buy meat not raised by us or someone we know, I am normally buying chicken. I buy it in bulk and freeze it. Because I think cooked chicken breast taste like shoe leather, I also buy dark meat chicken. My go-to is boneless, skinless chicken thighs. So, I used frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. Hence the big ole’ hunk of frozen chicken. But, it worked out just fine.
How to make Crock Pot Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup
I placed two pounds or about six chicken thighs in the crock pot and then poured heavy whipping cream over top.
Then I poured the lowest carb salsa I could find in my overstocked pantry and poured it over top of the whipping cream. Followed that up with a good amount of adobe seasoning. It is my favorite after all.
Then you just cook on low for 2-4 hours. You need the chicken to be fully cooked and then you can either cube it or shred it. When it is done cooking it will look something like this.
When you have shredded or chopped the chicken, place it back int he crock pot. Time for some cheese! Shred a cup of pepper jack and the Colby or Colby Jack.
Add the chicken broth and cheese into the crock pot and let the soup continue to cook for another hour. If you want a thicker broth soup, add a tablespoon of xanthan gum or cornstarch. Low-Carbers should use the xanthan gum. The xanthan gum worked perfectly in my soup.
How to Make Low-Carb Tortilla Strips
When it comes to the tortilla toppings, I will be honest, I went without. However, some folks who aren’t on keto and just watching their carbs should totally make tortilla strips with these low-carb whole wheat tortillas.
Cut them into strips and then drench the strips in butter. Place them on a bar or jelly-roll pan and bake on 350 for about 10-15 minutes till brown and crisp without burning them. Use them to top this crock pot low-carb chicken tortilla soup.
Top it with an additional helping of the Colby and Pepper Jack cheeses. Enjoy the leftovers too. Mine were delicious the next day too.
Tips for Making Low-Carb Soups
- Use full-fat ingredients. Low-carb dairy products tend to have higher carb counts. Go for the full-fat dairy.
- Watch for added sugar. Many seasonings are made with sugar in them. Read the ingredients in your seasoning mixes. If sugar is added to them, use the individual seasonings instead of a premade mix.
- Don’t overdo the garlic and onions. Both garlic and onions can carry more carbs than we think. Don’t put too many in the soup.
- Thicken with xanthan gum. If you want a thicker soup, don’t reach for the flour or cornstarch. Go for the xanthan gum, but note it can get gummy. A little goes a long way.
- Prep and Plan all of your meals. Check out how to stock your kitchen for low carb or keto dieting.
More Keto Soup Recipes
Keto soups are an easy way to make low-carb meals easier. Here are a few of my favorite low-carb soup recipes.
Looking for another version of chicken tortilla soup that isn’t low carb? Check out this Max and Erma’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe.
Crock Pot Low-Carb Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream half and half is fine if not on keto
- 1 cup low-carb salsa
- 2 teaspoons adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon xanthan gum cornstarch could be used too
- 8 ounces colby or colby-jack cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 3 low-carb whole wheat tortillas
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Place the chicken, cream, salsa, adobo seasoning and salt in the crock pot. Cook on low for 4 hours or chicken is completely cooked.
- Shred or chop the chicken. Then add the chicken back to the crock pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth and half of each of the cheeses.
- For a thicker soup add one tablespoon of xanthan gum as well.
- Cook on low for one more hour or until cheese is melted.
- While the soup is cooking, make the tortilla strips by cutting the shells into strips. Dredge through butter and place on a pan and bake on 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Do not burn.
- Serve the soup with the remaining shredded cheeses and tortilla strips.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Low-Carb Soups
Affiliate links were used in this post. A portion of all purchases come back to me.
Check out all the great recipes on Weekend Potluck!
- Crispy Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings (The Baking Powder Secret!) - February 9, 2025
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Ravioli Bake - February 3, 2025
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats – High Protein Breakfast Recipe - January 20, 2025
The nutrition information doesnโt say what size serving is used. Would like that info please.
How much is one serving?
Is there anyway to turn this into an instant pot recipe? Iโm still a newb with the instant pot, but would like to try it!
I am perfecting it in the instant pot still. I am a newbie instant potter too!
So if we are on keto do we not use the 1 cup heavy whipping cream?
Yes you use the heavy whipping cream.
This is a great twist on a classic!
Love tortilla soup especially when the weather is chilly like now!
Is serving size a cup like the taco soup?
How would I make this with chicken I’ve already cooked and shredded a few days ago? Just add the stock and heavy cream?
So deliciously rich and flavorful. I tried another recipe for dish but this now is my go to. I donโt prefer my Soup extra thick therefore I use half tablespoon of the Xan gum. You could get buy without using it.
My father said he loved this soup and that it was better than the one at Outback.
Loved this recipe!! Will definitely make it again! I do want to say that I wish I did not add the xantham gum. Will not add next time. It made it somewhere between clumpy & oddly thick. I also had to work hard to get it to mix in fully. Before I added it, it looked better. Luckily it still tasted great! I had 2 extra kids over, so 5 kids between 5-11, and all ate it happily!
Delicious soup. On of our favorites.
My new favorite chicken tortilla soup! I did not use the thickener or tortilla strips, and used my homemade spicy salsa in it. Awesome!