Sizzling Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe: A Fiesta in a Bowl

My grandma’s secret chicken enchilada soup blends comfort with zesty southwestern flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty ingredients meld together in a rich, creamy broth packed with robust seasonings.

Peppers and tender chicken chunks create a vibrant melody of textures and tastes.

Memories of cozy kitchen moments inspire this quick and satisfying meal that comes together faster than you can imagine.

Spices whisper stories of mexican culinary traditions while each spoonful promises warmth and satisfaction.

Crispy tortilla strips add the perfect crunch to make this soup an irresistible adventure for your taste buds.

Dive in and savor every delicious moment of this soul-warming recipe.

Chicken Enchilada Soup That’s Spicy And Cheesy

• Speedy Weeknight Winner: Whip up this delicious chicken enchilada soup in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a quick, hearty meal.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold spices like chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, this soup delivers a mouthwatering taste adventure that'll tantalize your taste buds without requiring complex cooking skills.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the soup's heat level and toppings to suit everyone's preferences, transforming it into a crowd-pleasing dish that works for casual dinners or game day gatherings.
• One-Pot Kitchen Magic: Minimize cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines simple ingredients into a creamy, satisfying meal that saves time and reduces dish washing hassle.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Parts List

• Chicken Breast: The star protein that adds heartiness and flavor to the soup, choose fresh boneless skinless for best texture.
• Black Beans: Provides additional protein and creamy texture, helps create a more filling soup.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid foundation of the soup, use low-sodium for better control of salt levels.
• Red Enchilada Sauce: Adds authentic Mexican flavor and rich color to the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Brings tangy brightness and mild heat, undrained for extra liquid.
• Corn: Adds sweet kernels and pleasant texture to the soup.

• Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Provide creamy richness and melty texture, soften cream cheese for smooth incorporation.

• Onion, Jalapeno, Garlic: Classic flavor base that adds depth and complexity, remove jalapeno seeds for less heat.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Mustard Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cinnamon, Cayenne Pepper: Complex spice blend creating layers of traditional Mexican-inspired flavor, adjust cayenne for desired heat level.
• Hot Sauce: Optional extra heat and tangy kick.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Help sauté vegetables and build foundational flavors, provide rich undertones.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Method

Step 1: Prepare Flavor Base

Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature.

Toss in diced onions and jalapeños, cooking until they become soft and translucent.

Step 2: Bloom Aromatic Garlic

Add minced garlic and cook briefly until its fragrance fills the kitchen, approximately one minute.

Step 3: Create Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Mustard powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper

Stir the spices thoroughly to distribute evenly.

Step 4: Build Soup Foundation

• Enchilada sauce
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Black beans
• Corn
• Chicken broth

Mix ingredients completely to combine flavors.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

Add whole chicken breasts to the pot.

Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Step 6: Shred Chicken

Remove chicken from soup, shred using two forks, and return meat back to the pot.

Step 7: Create Creamy Texture

• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheeses

Continue stirring until cheeses melt completely and blend into soup.

Step 8: Final Flavor Adjustment

Taste soup and adjust seasonings.

Add hot sauce for extra kick if desired.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Ladle hot soup into bowls.

• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Crispy tortilla strips

Chicken Enchilada Soup Key Advice

• Allow cooked chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding to retain maximum moisture and tenderness.
• Adjust liquid by adding more chicken broth for a thinner consistency or simmering longer to reduce and thicken the soup.
• Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to release their essential oils and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Modify cayenne and jalapeno quantities to match your preferred spice tolerance, using fresh or dried chilies strategically.
• Store soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, knowing flavors will continue developing and intensifying in the refrigerator.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Tips For Keeping And Reheating

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Pour soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until hot and evenly heated.

Meals That Fit Chicken Enchilada Soup

Spice Up Your Sips: Perfect Pairings for Chicken Enchilada Soup

• Craft Beer Challenge: Pick a hoppy Mexican-style lager or amber ale that complements the soup's rich, spicy profile and cuts through the creamy texture.
• Margarita Magic: Mix a classic or spicy margarita with fresh lime juice to enhance the soup's zesty flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty dish.
• Wine Warrior: Choose a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the soup's heat and creamy cheese elements, creating a delightful flavor harmony.
• Sangria Celebration: Prepare a red sangria with fresh citrus fruits to add a vibrant, fruity dimension that brightens the soup's robust and complex taste profile.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Spins

• Vegetarian Enchilada Soup: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like black beans, tofu, or tempeh. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a hearty meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially enchilada sauce and spices. Verify that no wheat-based thickeners are used in the recipe.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap corn and beans for cauliflower rice or zucchini chunks. Reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, spicy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream. Use dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for cheesy texture and taste.

FAQs

• How spicy is this soup?

The spice level depends on the amount of jalapeno and cayenne pepper you add. For a milder version, remove jalapeno seeds or reduce cayenne. For extra heat, add more jalapeno or a dash of hot sauce.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, replace chicken with plant-based alternatives like tofu, additional beans, or meat substitutes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain the flavor profile.

• What type of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for easy shredding. Chicken thighs can also work and provide more flavor, but might require slightly longer cooking time.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check enchilada sauce and broth labels to confirm. Use certified gluten-free products if you have sensitivity.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Chicken Enchilada Soup delivers Mexican comfort with a spicy kick, blending rich flavors from tender chicken, zesty tomatoes, and warm spices. Creamy texture and bold seasonings promise a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast (or 2 small)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 10 ounces (296 milliliters) red enchilada sauce
• 10 ounces (296 milliliters) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 15 ounces (443 milliliters) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces (443 milliliters) canned whole kernel corn, drained
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced (seeds removed)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat a generous pot with butter and olive oil, gently sweating diced onions and jalapeños until they become translucent and tender.
2. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and release fragrant notes throughout the base.
3. Sprinkle a vibrant blend of spices – chili powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne – creating a complex flavor profile that will infuse the entire soup.
4. Stream in enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, and rich chicken broth, stirring to integrate all components harmoniously.
5. Submerge whole chicken breasts into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil before reducing to a gentle simmer, allowing the meat to cook thoroughly and absorb surrounding flavors.
6. Extract the chicken, carefully shred using two forks, then reintroduce the tender meat back into the simmering liquid.
7. Incorporate cream cheese and a medley of shredded cheeses, stirring continuously until they melt completely, creating a luxuriously creamy texture.
8. Conduct a final taste assessment, calibrating seasonings and introducing optional hot sauce for those desiring an extra kick of heat.
9. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, embellishing with classic garnishes like cool sour cream, fresh cilantro, or crispy tortilla strips.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing cayenne and chili powder to suit personal heat tolerance.
• Swap chicken for plant-based protein like tofu or jackfruit to create a vegetarian version of the soup.
• Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat shredded cheese for a lighter, healthier alternative without compromising flavor.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure quick, stress-free meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg