Next Post
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
This easy Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken and Avocado Rice Soup is the perfect healthy bowl of soup. Made with fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle chili powder, and shredded chicken, it’s hearty but healthy and so delicious. Ladle the spicy soup over steaming bowls of rice and top with plenty of creamy avocado chunks and fresh lime juice. This simple, but flavorful Mexican chicken soup is a cozy meal that you can feel good about eating. Just be sure to serve with plenty of salty chips on the side for scooping up all that avocado and rice.
Kicking the month off with one of my favorite bowls of soup. I almost didn’t share this recipe because it just seemed too simple and easy. I know that too simple and too easy can’t really be a thing, but as you guys may have read yesterday, I often second guess myself.
In the end, it was my mom and my cousins who convinced me to share the recipe. As I sit here typing away while staring at the photos, I’m happy to be telling you guys all about it! It might be the easiest to put together, but it sure is DELICIOUS.
This was one of those dinners I just put together using everything I had on hand. I knew it had potential to be good, but I was surprised by just how much everyone loved this soup. But then I probably shouldn’t have been surprised, my family is a sucker for any dish that has rice as the main ingredient.
Here are the quick details.
And when I say quick, I really, really mean it. You’re basically just gathering up a handful of ingredients and tossing them all in the slow cooker. Set it and forget it until you are ready to serve up dinner to the fam.
And the ingredients? They’re a mix of pantry staples and fresh produce. I used a good amount of onions, garlic, and jalapeños, plus dry spices like chipotle chili powder and smoked paprika. But my secret to this soup that really balances out all the flavors and ties everything together?
The tiniest pinch of cinnamon, which is common in a lot of Mexican dishes. It’s one of my favorite spices to put with anything chipotle based. Something about the sweetness and the warmth just works with smoky chipotle.
I threw in some fire-roasted tomatoes and chicken, then just set the slow cooker and went about my day.
And if you don’t have a slow cooker, I’ve written instant pot and stove-top directions too! Just wanted to be sure everyone could make this soup.
Now Finish It Up.
Once the soup has slow-cooked all day, it will fill your house with the warming smells of a big pot of chili. Because essentially, this is a big pot of chili, just minus the ground beef and plus a whole lot of rice and avocado.
Just before serving, I stir in lime juice and cilantro. Then take the steaming rice, divide it between bowls and ladle the soup over top. I like to keep the rice and soup separate to prevent the rice from soaking up all the soup’s broth.
Finish each bowl with chunks of avocado and a sprinkling of cheese. So perfect. It’s simple, but warming, satisfying, and SO DELICIOUS. The rice and avocado are key. Together they create a soup that’s actually dinner-worthy. Just one tip…serve this soup with a good amount of salty tortilla chips for scooping the rice and avocado. And, if you grab a little cheese with that scoop too, it’s the best.
Soo, It’s COLD out, spend a little time in the kitchen and make chicken and rice soup. Trust me, it’s going to make your week that much better. Truly, because the leftovers are even better warmed up the following day!
Looking for more quick wintery Mexican inspired dinners? Here are a few to try:
Healthy Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins
One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
Folded Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Lastly, if you make this Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken and Avocado Rice Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken and Avocado Rice Soup
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 467 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1-2 jalapeños, seeded if desired, and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 1 pound boneless skinless, chicken breasts
- 1 rounded tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- juice of 2 limes, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving
- 2 avocados, chopped
- crumbed feta cheese and tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the onion, garlic, jalapeños, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the chicken, then stir in the broth and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-5 hours.2. Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir in the lime juice, and cilantro.3. Divide the rice between bowls and then ladle the soup over the rice. Top each bowl with avocado, then zest and juice a lime overtop. Eat and enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of the instant pot, combine the onion, garlic, jalapeños, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the chicken, then stir in the broth and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.2. Once done cooking, release the steam. Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir in the lime juice, and cilantro.3. Divide the rice between bowls and then ladle the soup over the rice. Top each bowl with avocado, then zest and juice a lime overtop. Eat and enjoy!
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeños, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook 5-10 minutes, until very fragrant. Add the chicken, then stir in the broth and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.2. Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir in the lime juice, and cilantro.3. Divide the rice between bowls and then ladle the soup over the rice. Top each bowl with avocado, then zest and juice a lime overtop. Eat and enjoy!
We made this soup this afternoon. It is delicious. We like spice, so we added an extra jalapeno and left the seeds and membranes. This is definitely going into our regular rotation.
Hey Allison,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you:)
I’m making them s right now , I found this exact recipe on the side of great value chicken broth from Walmart ? I hope it’s good 😊
Interesting, I hope you love the recipe!! xT
Not only do I love the ingredients and the soup, I love the connection I feel to you as I make it. It feels like I am making a friends recipe. I think it is awesome how much you reply to others and make their cooking experience more enjoyable! You add a little more flavor and enjoyment to the world 🙂
Hey McKayla,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Thanks so much for your kind message 🤍 Have a great weekend:)
In the crockpot now. Is it supposed to be very liquidy? I was thinking it would be thicker? Not Chile or stew thick. Just thicker?
I think I might add some corn too?
Hi Susie,
Thanks for trying the recipe! It should be a soup consistency and then the rice will absorb some of that liquid. I hope it’s delish! xT
Flavors were really nice but agree was too spicy as written (we doubled the recipe and used 2 jalapenos – one of them seeded). Added a good amount of sour cream to the soup at the end to soften the spice and give it a little more creaminess and turned out great (though obviously not as healthy with the addition of the sour cream).
Hi Nathan,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear it was so spicy, but glad the flavors were enjoyed otherwise! xx
This was delicious! I used chicken thighs and just one jalapeño but then added a little bit of canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce which added a nice kick and extra chipotle flavor. The feta cheese cuts the spice nicely. One of my new favorites!
Hey Alice,
Happy Wednesday! I really appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was a winner! 🤩
I am planning to make this today. Was thinking of adding a can of black beans as I don’t have much chicken. That would be ok, yes?
Hey Katie,
Sure, black beans would work for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Love this recipe!! Household fave like most of your recipes I cook! If I wanted to add the rice to the slow cooker…should I add more broth? And when would I put the rice in if that’s an option.
Hey Carissa,
Wonderful!! I appreciate you taking the time to make this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! I would not recommend cooking the rice in with the soup. Happy Wednesday:)
This soup is very delicious! Have made multiple times, I love it 🙂
Hi Julia,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Could you make this and freeze?
Looks delicious and excited to try!
Hi Meredith,
Sure, that will work well for you:) Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Another great recipe! Made this last night and not only was it fast but it’s incredibly delicious! Full of flavor! I did use only one jalapeño to cut back on some of the spiciness and it was perfect! Thank you for all these wonderful recipes! This is a keeper also!
Hey Lee,
Thanks so much for your comment and sharing your feedback! I am glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
Made this soup tonight- It was so good! Thank you Tieghan!
Hi Stacey,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have the best weekend❄️ xTieghan
After reading other comments I used less Jalapeños and a mix of chipotle chilli powder and regular chilli powder. It’s more hot then spicy and I love it!
Hi Alyssa,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Hello! I am planning to make this recipe this weekend. If I wanted to add some additional vegetables, what would you recommend? A few comments suggested peppers, but I worry that those would break down too much if slow cooking for a long time. Perhaps carrots? Would love your advice!
Hi Jenna,
Really any veggies that you like would work, peppers would be great! You could even do some zucchini. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan