Tender chicken thighs slow cook in salsa verde in the slow cooker to create this Green Chili Chicken Soup. The green chiles, onion, corn, garlic, spices and fire roasted tomatoes help make this hearty Mexican style soup a favorite!

I eat soups year round but I especially love them in the winter.
These soups are all the perfect winter comfort food and work great for game-day get togethers too.
I love making a batch of these Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos to go with my Green Chili Chicken Soup.
I serve the soup with a variety of garnishes like chopped avocado, cilantro, green onion, diced red onions, cheese, sour cream and crushed chips.
The thing that sets this soup apart from others is the tender chicken thigh meat mixed with the salsa verde and the diced green chiles.
The combination is flavorful with a hint of sweetness from the green salsa.
I make so many soups this time of year from this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, Slow Cooker Pork Pozole and this Instant Pot Pork Chili Verde.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
- Chicken: I used chicken thighs in this soup which creates a tender, juicy chicken. I love how the chicken cooked in the slow cooker and the flavor it develops with the spices. You can use chicken breasts or tenders if you prefer.
- Vegetables: I added chopped carrots, red onion, grilled corn, fire roasted tomatoes and garlic to this soup. You can add anything you have on hand like bell peppers, celery, poblanos, jalapeños, zucchini and regular diced tomatoes.
- Salsa Verde: I add a jar of salsa verde or make an Easy Homemade Salsa Verde to add to the slow cooker. I love the flavors that salsa verde infuses into this soup.
- Green Chiles: I added an 8 ounce can of diced green chiles to this soup. If you can find fire roasted green chiles that helps to add even more flavor.
- Spices: The combination of the chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper create a warm, rich soup bursting with flavor. If you can find green chili powder instead of regular chili powder try using that!
Recipe Modifications
- Beans: I love adding beans into this soup when I have them in the pantry. Some good ones are black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, chickpeas or white beans.
- Vegetables: This is a great base for a variety of other veggies. Try poblanos, bell peppers, green beans, zucchini, spinach, kale cauliflower or shallots.
- Spices: If you want more robust flavor you can add paprika, smoked paprika or crushed red pepper.
- Creaminess: Stir in heavy cream, half-and-half, or coconut milk for a richer texture. Use cream cheese or a dollop of sour cream stirred in at the end.
- Thicken: To thicken the soup you can mash some beans or add cornmeal, or a cornstarch slurry. Blend a portion of the soup for a smoother consistency.
- Grains: You can bulk up the soup by adding brown rice, white rice, quinoa, farro or bulgur wheat.
How to Make this Green Chili Chicken Soup
Step 1: Sauté Vegetables and Spices: If you want to develop the flavors of the spices then you will want to start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté to allow the spices to bloom, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 2: Add to Crockpot: Add the spices and onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients including the chicken and make sure to give it a good stir.
Step 3: Slow Cooker Soup: Set the crockpot on low for approximately 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours {chicken should be 145 degrees F}.
Step 4: Shred Chicken: Pull the chicken out and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken to the soup and stir. Add the lime juice.
Serve warm with garnishes like avocado, cilantro, red onion, cheese, sour cream and diced onion.
Recipe FAQ
If you don’t want the heat you can use mild diced green chilies (like Hatch or Anaheim). If you want it spicier, add jalapeños or use hot green chilies.
Yes! This works great on the stove. You will want to make sure to sauté the chicken and cook through before shredded and adding the remaining ingredients. You also could use shredded chicken. I suggest simmering the soup for about 30 minutes.
More Soup Recipes
Green Chili Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 of a red onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jalapeños, seeds removed, diced {optional for spice}
- 1 – 16 ounce jar of salsa verde {green salsa}
- 2- 4 ounce diced green chiles
- 1 – 15 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 1 – 15 ounce can of hominy
- 1 cup of corn {you can use frozen or canned}
- 2 teaspoons chili powder {try to use green chili powder}{
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1/2 of a lime, juiced
- Garnishes: cilantro, avocado, green onion, sour cream, cheese, diced red onion
Instructions
- If you want to develop the flavors of the spices then you will want to start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, orgegno, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
- Continue to saute to allow the spices to bloom, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the spices and onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients including the chicken and make sure to give it a good stir.
- Set the crockpot on low for approximately 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours {chicken should be 145 degrees F}.
- Pull the chicken out and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken to the soup and stir. Add the lime juice. Serve warm with garnishes like avocado, cilantro, red onion, cheese, sour cream and diced onion.
Made this today! Delicious! I didn’t have salsa verde but had a jar of hatch chiles to substitute. Thumbs up from the family. Thanks for sharing!
I love that idea to use hatch chiles- great idea. Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.