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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!
In the slow cooker now; instead of rice, I am using white hominy. Can’t wait to try it!
Hey Mandy! Hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Super easy to make and perfect for something a little spicy on a chilly day! I added a bit more chicken and removed the seeds from the jalapenos.
Funny story: my boss saw the different containers for the rice, soup, avocado, etc. and called my lunch “elaborate”. What joy in the day is there if lunch is not elaborate?!
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I hope you loved it! Have a great week 🙂 xTieghan
Could I throw the rice in the slow cooker with everything else? Or could my husband throw the rice in 1.5 hours before eating? Thanks!!
Hi there! I would recommend throwing it in about 1.5 hours before eating 🙂 Enjoy! xTieghan
We also found this wayyy too spicy. We love spicy food, and my teen boys were able to eat it, but the rest of us struggled. It probably would have been incredible if I could taste more of it!
Hey Krista,
So sorry to hear this, thanks for giving the recipe a try! xTieghan
Can I substitute puréed chipotle in adobo for the chipotle chili powder? If so, how much chipotle in adobo should I use?? Thank you!
Hey Joanie,
Sure, I bet that would be a nice touch here, I would just use a couple tablespoons. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Just finished making this in the crock pot and my house smells delicious! I only used one small jalapeño and it was perfect, great flavor and super easy to make!
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
This was DELICIOUS! So flavorful! I never thought about making soup in the summer but I couldn’t wait to try this! It was great in July, but I bet it will be even better on a snowy Sunday afternoon!
Hey Gina,
Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xTieghan
Made this in the instant pot and overdid the spicy with oversized Jalapeños but i didn’t mind! I was skeptical of the feta but so glad i went for it – adds a tangy salty taste i love. Also added cultured sour cream to help offset the spice level. Amazing and easy meal!
Hey Fara,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for giving it a go! xxTieghan
I never used a crock pot before when you mention to store and combine the veggies is there a sauté option you use or do you just stir without heat?
Hey Nora,
You are just adding those right into the crockpot, all of the cooking will happen during the hours of cooking time. I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is one of my favorite recipes. I absolutely love it.
Hey Jordan,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! ☀️xTieghan
Just did a batch in the Instant Pot for lunch this week and it smells divine. Added some black beans, corn and bell peppers and can’t wait for this warming soup in winter weather. Thanks for another awesome recipe Tieghan!
Hey Natalie,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed and I really appreciate you giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
This was delicious but VERY spicy! We like spice, but even so, I only used a half a jalapeño and the half the recommended chipotle powder. (I made a double batch, so I used half a jalapeño and 1 T chipotle powder and 1 T regular chili powder.) and even after those changes, it was still very spicy. Like I said, we still thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was too hot for our kids.
I LOVE your recipes, Tieghan, but I thought you might want to add a note about the spice level.
Hey Katie,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! So sorry this was spicy for you. xTieghan
This is a great base recipe! It is on our regular rotation especially for blustery spring days. I’ve made it a few times and always vegetarian: I sub Trader Joe’s soyrizo or the fieldroast mexican chipotle for the animal protein. I also re-hydrate and puree guajillo chiles to mix with veggie broth to give it more flavor and spice. Love that you gave all the different methods for cooking and that it uses pantry staples.
Hey Meg,
I am so excited that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! ?Tieghan
Made it on the stovetop and came out absolutely delicious. The seasoning is perfect, so much flavor that you really don’t need any salt. I halved this and it still came out with large portions. I would recommend this to anyone, great weeknight dinner that you can have for leftovers for a couple nights.
Hey Sarah,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I accidentally used chipotle chilli pepper instead of chipotle chilli powder!!! Don’t do what I did !!! I’ll try it again ?
Thank you for always sharing amazing recipes
Thanks for trying the recipe Leslie!! xTieghan