The Best Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe for Cozy Home Dinners

Cozy nights call for a hearty chicken enchilada soup that warms you from the inside out.

Flavors dance together in this comforting bowl of deliciousness.

Mexican-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly to create a rich, satisfying meal.

Spices add depth and excitement to every spoonful.

Chunks of tender chicken mingle with vibrant vegetables and a creamy base.

Home kitchens will come alive with the aroma of this soul-warming soup.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this delectable creation that promises to become a new favorite.

Hearty Chicken Enchilada Soup to Warm You Up

• Whip Up Comfort in a Bowl: This chicken enchilada soup delivers ultimate warmth and satisfaction with its rich, hearty flavors that hug your taste buds like a cozy blanket.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Loaded with flexible toppings and easy-to-adjust spices, this recipe welcomes personal creativity and allows everyone to craft their perfect bowl.
• Boost Nutrition in One Pot: Packed with lean protein, beans, and vegetables, this soup provides a balanced meal that nourishes your body while delighting your palate with southwest-inspired goodness.
• Quick and Hassle-Free Cooking: Requiring minimal prep and cooking skills, this one-pot wonder transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Ingredients for Chicken Enchilada Soup

• Chicken Breasts: The primary protein that adds heartiness and texture to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base and enhances the overall savory flavor of the soup.
• Enchilada Sauce: Provides a rich, spicy Mexican-inspired taste profile to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational flavor base and aromatic depth to the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes, Black Beans, Corn, Green Chilies: Add texture, nutrition, and southwestern-style vegetable components.

• Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Blend of spices that create a warm, complex flavor profile.
• Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Avocado, Tortilla Strips, Lime Wedges: Fresh toppings that add richness, creaminess, and extra layers of flavor and texture to the finished soup.

How to Prepare Chicken Enchilada Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onion and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften until fragrant and translucent.

Step 2: Seal the Chicken

Add chicken breasts to the pot, creating a golden sear on both sides to lock in those delicious flavors.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

• Chicken broth
• Enchilada sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Corn
• Green chilies

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 5: Simmer and Develop

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes.

This allows all the flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 6: Shred and Return

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot.

Using two forks, shred the chicken into tender pieces and return them to the simmering soup.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced avocado
• Crispy tortilla strips
• Lime wedges

Enjoy this comforting, flavor-packed soup that brings the spirit of Mexican cuisine right to your table!

Pro Tips for Flavorful Enchilada Soup

• Pound chicken breasts to even thickness before cooking to ensure uniform cooking and tenderness.
• Adjust chili powder and green chilies to match your preferred heat level, making the soup mild or spicy.
• Blend a portion of black beans or use cornstarch to create a richer, more substantial soup consistency.
• Prepare the soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
• Replace chicken with plant-based protein or additional beans for a vegetarian version that maintains robust flavor profile.

Variations to Try with Chicken Enchilada Soup

• Vegetarian Enchilada Soup: Replace chicken with black beans, tofu, or plant-based chicken alternative. Maintain original spices and cooking method for robust flavor.
• Slow Cooker Version: Transfer all ingredients to slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours. Perfect for hands-off meal preparation with same delicious results.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip corn and beans. Add extra bell peppers and zucchini. Serve with cauliflower rice instead of traditional toppings for reduced carbohydrate intake.
• Dairy-Free Option: Omit cheese and sour cream. Use coconut yogurt or cashew cream as topping. Select dairy-free tortilla strips for complete allergen-friendly meal.

Serving Suggestions for Enchilada Soup

• Cozy Soup Night: Gather friends and family around a steaming pot of this hearty chicken enchilada soup for a fun dinner party.
• Taco Tuesday Twist: Transform your traditional taco night by serving this soup as the main course with all the classic toppings.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Ladle this soup into mugs or small bowls for an easy-to-eat, flavor-packed appetizer during sports watching.
• Meal Prep Champion: Store leftovers in individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week that reheat perfectly.

Storing Chicken Enchilada Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Chicken enchilada soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until soup reaches 165°F. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of chicken for this soup?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken, chicken thighs, or leftover grilled chicken instead of chicken breasts for added flavor and convenience.

• Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild to moderate heat level from green chilies and spices. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing chili powder and green chilies to suit your taste preference.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the chicken and sauté onions first, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken enchilada soup delivers rich, comforting flavors from hearty ingredients. Home cooks can quickly prepare this zesty one-pot meal with simple pantry staples and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 to 1.5 pounds (0.45 to 0.68 kilograms) chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless, skinless

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950 milliliters) chicken broth, low-sodium
• 1 can (10 ounces or 280 grams) red enchilada sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces or 410 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 cup (150 grams) corn kernels, frozen or canned (drained)
• 1 can (4 ounces or 113 grams) green chilies, diced

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or monterey jack), for topping
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• Avocado, sliced or diced
• Tortilla strips, for added crunch
• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, gently sautéing onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic.
2. Introduce whole chicken breasts to the pot, creating a golden sear on each side to lock in robust flavors.
3. Cascade chicken broth, enchilada sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, and zesty green chilies into the pot.
4. Sprinkle in a medley of spices – cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper – stirring to distribute complex flavors evenly.
5. Elevate heat to trigger a vigorous boil, then gracefully reduce to a gentle simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop depth.
6. Carefully extract chicken breasts, use two forks to shred meat into tender morsels, then reintroduce to the bubbling soup.
7. Ladle steaming soup into bowls, embellishing with a lavish garnish of melted shredded cheese, creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, buttery avocado slices, crisp tortilla strips, and a tangy lime wedge for brightness.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken for a quicker, easier preparation and deeper flavor profile.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and green chilies to suit personal heat preferences.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth and canned ingredients to control salt content for health-conscious individuals.
• Transform this soup into a vegetarian option by replacing chicken with plant-based protein like quinoa or extra black beans.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg