Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken Fajita Soup

This Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken Fajita Soup is a true weeknight hero, bringing comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort.

Imagine coming home to the aroma of a delicious, creamy soup that’s both satisfying and good for you. It’s the perfect solution for busy families looking for a wholesome meal without the fuss.

This recipe delivers on its promise of a cozy and flavorful experience. Packed with tender chicken, vibrant peppers, and a rich, creamy broth, it captures all the beloved tastes of fajitas in a comforting soup form. Simply set it and forget it, and let your slow cooker do all the hard work.

Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken Fajita Soup

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• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes - 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

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Description

This Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken Fajita Soup is a true weeknight hero, bringing comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to the aroma of a delicious, creamy soup that’s both satisfying and good for you. It’s the perfect solution for busy families looking for a wholesome meal without the fuss. This recipe delivers on its promise of a cozy and flavorful experience. Packed with tender chicken, vibrant peppers, and a rich, creamy broth, it captures all the beloved tastes of fajitas in a comforting soup form. Simply set it and forget it, and let your slow cooker do all the hard work.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 (1-ounce) packet fajita seasoning mix

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)

4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, tortilla strips

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Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the thinly sliced red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and the sliced onion over the chicken.

2. 2. Add Canned Goods and Broth: Drain and rinse the black beans, then add them to the slow cooker. Pour in the undrained can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and the undrained can of diced green chiles. Follow with the low-sodium chicken broth.

3. 3. Season the Soup: Sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne pepper evenly over all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the seasonings with the liquids and vegetables.

4. 4. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable with a fork, and the vegetables should be tender.

5. 5. Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Place them on a cutting board and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

6. 6. Add Creaminess: Add the softened cream cheese cubes to the slow cooker. Stir well until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy texture throughout the soup.

7. 7. Final Touches and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the warm soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and any desired optional toppings like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, or crunchy tortilla strips.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-8 hours
• Category: main dish
• Method: slow cooker
• Cuisine: mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl

Keywords: fajita soup, chicken soup, slow cooker, healthy, weeknight meal, creamy soup, mexican inspired, easy recipe, comfort food, meal prep

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful meals but is short on time. It’s designed for busy parents, individuals looking for healthy meal prep options, or anyone who appreciates the magic of a slow cooker. You’ll love how effortlessly it comes together, requiring just a few minutes of active preparation before the slow cooker takes over. It’s perfect for a chilly evening when you crave something warm and nourishing, or even for a casual weekend lunch. The healthy aspect means you can enjoy a comforting bowl without any guilt, making it a regular rotation in your family meal plan. The flavors are robust yet approachable, appealing to a wide range of palates, even picky eaters.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this soup is straightforward, focusing on fresh produce and pantry staples. You won’t need any exotic items, making it an easy addition to your regular grocery list. The beauty of slow cooker recipes is their forgiving nature, and this soup is no exception.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (1-ounce) packet fajita seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, tortilla strips

For substitutions, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. If you don’t have all three colors of bell peppers, feel free to use just one or two, or even add an orange bell pepper for variety. Canned pinto beans can be swapped for black beans if preferred. For a dairy-free version, omit the cream cheese and consider adding a swirl of dairy-free sour cream or a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. You can also make your own fajita seasoning blend if you prefer to control the sodium and spice levels; a quick search will provide many recipes.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This slow cooker chicken fajita soup is designed for maximum flavor with minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for busy schedules.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
• Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on cook setting)

The majority of the time is hands-off, allowing you to go about your day while your slow cooker creates a delicious meal. The quick prep involves slicing vegetables and chicken, and then simply adding everything to the pot.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this flavorful soup is incredibly simple, thanks to the slow cooker. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time.

1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the thinly sliced red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and the sliced onion over the chicken.
2. Add Canned Goods and Broth: Drain and rinse the black beans, then add them to the slow cooker. Pour in the undrained can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and the undrained can of diced green chiles. Follow with the low-sodium chicken broth.
3. Season the Soup: Sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne pepper evenly over all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the seasonings with the liquids and vegetables.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable with a fork, and the vegetables should be tender.
5. Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Place them on a cutting board and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
6. Add Creaminess: Add the softened cream cheese cubes to the slow cooker. Stir well until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy texture throughout the soup.
7. Final Touches and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the warm soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and any desired optional toppings like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, or crunchy tortilla strips.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This healthy chicken fajita soup is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a little extra kick, you can add a pinch more cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the slow cooker. If you prefer a smoky flavor, a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, can be added along with the other seasonings. For a vegetarian option, you could omit the chicken and add extra beans (like kidney beans or cannellini beans) and corn, or even some crumbled firm tofu or plant-based chicken substitutes.

Serving this soup is a breeze. It’s hearty enough to be a stand-alone meal, but it also pairs wonderfully with a side of warm cornbread or a simple green salad. For a fun family dinner, set up a “fajita soup bar” with various toppings: shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. This allows everyone to customize their bowl to their liking. It’s also a fantastic dish for potlucks or casual gatherings, as it can be easily transported and kept warm in the slow cooker. Kids often enjoy dipping tortilla chips into the soup, making it a more interactive and appealing meal for them.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple slow cooker recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent slip-up is overcooking the chicken. While slow cookers are forgiving, leaving chicken breasts in for too long, especially on high heat, can make them dry and stringy. To avoid this, stick to the recommended cooking times and check for shreddability with a fork. If it easily pulls apart, it’s ready.

Another common issue is not rinsing the canned black beans. This can lead to a cloudy soup and an off-flavor due to the canning liquid. Always rinse and drain canned beans thoroughly under cold water before adding them to the slow cooker.

Forgetting to soften the cream cheese before adding it can result in small lumps that don’t fully melt into the soup. To ensure a smooth, creamy texture, allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cutting it into cubes and stirring it in. If you’re short on time, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds to soften it slightly.

Not adjusting seasonings at the end is another oversight. While the fajita seasoning provides a great base, individual preferences vary. Always taste the soup after the cream cheese has been incorporated and adjust salt, pepper, or additional spices as needed. Sometimes a squeeze of lime juice at the end can brighten all the flavors.

Finally, adding toppings too early can make them soggy. Fresh cilantro, avocado, and tortilla strips are best added right before serving to maintain their texture and vibrant appearance.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This healthy chicken fajita soup is excellent for meal prepping and stores beautifully, making it a convenient option for future meals.

To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

For longer storage, this soup freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, portion the soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.