Crockpot King Ranch Chicken Soup (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Soup Base

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
05 - 2 cans (each 400g) mild Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
06 - 1 can (300g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
07 - 500 g cooked shredded chicken
08 - 700 ml chicken broth
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder

→ Final Additions

11 - 200 g cream cheese, cubed and softened

→ Optional Garnish

12 - Mexican cheese blend, shredded
13 - fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - tortilla chips

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Place butter, onion, garlic, bell pepper, Rotel tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, shredded chicken, chicken broth, cumin, and chili powder in the slow cooker.
02 - Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or on LOW for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
03 - Add cubed, softened cream cheese to the hot soup and stir thoroughly until fully melted and incorporated.
04 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and tortilla chips as desired.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - For more heat, select medium or hot Rotel tomatoes; for a milder profile, opt for mild.
02 - To avoid canned soup, substitute with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and milk.
03 - Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, or frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
04 - Vegetarian adaptations are possible by substituting chicken with mixed vegetables and using vegetable broth.