Cozy Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe for Soul-Warming Joy

Steaming hot and packed with southwestern charm, this creamy chicken enchilada soup delivers a comforting meal that dances with bold flavors.

Tender chicken pieces swim in a rich, velvety broth that captures the essence of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Robust spices mingle with smooth cream, creating a hearty blend that warms you from the first spoonful.

Each ingredient tells a story of culinary passion and home-cooked delight.

The soup comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals.

Garnished with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of cheese, this dish promises a delicious escape from ordinary dinner routines.

Dive into a bowl of pure, soul-satisfying comfort that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tools for Simmering Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

• Large stockpot: Essential for cooking the entire soup from start to finish.
• Hand blender: Perfect for creating a smooth, creamy texture without transferring hot liquid.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Crucial for dicing onions, slicing celery, and chopping vegetables precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano.
• Measuring cups: Useful for measuring broth and other liquid ingredients.
• Ladle: Great for serving the soup into individual bowls.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients during cooking.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup Smooth

• Base Foundation

Create a flavorful soup foundation using a large stockpot with butter or oil, allowing heat to transform ingredients into a delicious starting point.

• Vegetable Symphony

Combine colorful vegetables like onions, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and garlic, sautéing them until they release their aromatic essence and become tender.

• Spice Awakening

Introduce warm spices including cumin, chili powder, and oregano, then incorporate fire-roasted tomatoes and tomato paste to build complex flavor layers.

• Liquid Integration

Pour chicken broth into the pot, creating a harmonious blend that allows ingredients to mingle and develop rich, interconnected tastes.

• Texture Transformation

Use a hand blender to transform the mixture into a smooth, velvety consistency that marries all components into a cohesive soup experience.

• Protein and Veggie Completion

Fold in kidney beans, black beans, corn, and shredded chicken, gently warming these additions to enhance the overall soup profile.

• Finishing Flourish

Serve in warm bowls, topping with Mexican cheese blend and optional garnishes like avocado, tortilla strips, or fresh cilantro for a vibrant presentation.

Spice Tips for Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup Fans

• Soup Seasoning Boosters: Experiment with different chili powders like ancho or chipotle for a deeper, smokier flavor profile that adds extra complexity to your soup.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with shredded turkey, ground beef, or even plant-based protein like black bean crumbles for a delicious alternative that keeps the dish exciting.
• Texture Magic Tricks: Crush tortilla chips directly into the soup for an instant crunch, or add roasted pepitas for a nutty texture that elevates the entire eating experience.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat slowly, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy consistency and prevent separation.
• Spice Level Control: Dial up the heat by adding diced jalapeños during cooking or a dash of hot sauce when serving. For milder versions, reduce chili powder and include more sweet bell peppers to balance the flavor.

Serve Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup for Any Meal

• Fiesta Bowl Feast: Transform your soup into a vibrant, loaded bowl with extra toppings like crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of tangy sour cream for a restaurant-style experience.
• Mexican Brunch Twist: Serve the soup alongside sunny-side-up eggs and warm corn tortillas for a hearty weekend breakfast that brings southwestern flair to your morning meal.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Pour the soup into a large slow cooker for a self-serve station during sports gatherings, providing small bowls and an array of toppings so guests can customize their own portion.
• Protein Power-Up: Add extra grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or even crispy chorizo on top to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal that keeps hunger at bay.

Store Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup the Right Way

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Glass or BPA-free plastic containers work best, maintaining flavor and preventing contamination.
• Freezing Magic: Freeze soup portions in sealed freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste quality.
• Reheating Wisdom: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore creamy texture. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick after refrigeration.
• Quick Freshness Hack: Separate garnishes like cheese, tortilla strips, and avocado when storing. Add these crispy toppings just before serving to maintain their delightful crunch and prevent soggy texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup Ingredient List

• Butter or Ghee or Avocado Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and building deep flavor layers.
• Onion: Adds aromatic sweetness and creates robust flavor base for the soup.
• Celery: Brings subtle earthiness and crisp texture to the soup's background.
• Carrot: Introduces natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Contributes bright, slightly sweet pepper notes and gorgeous color.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that elevates the entire soup's complexity.

• Ground Cumin: Offers warm, smoky undertones typical in authentic Mexican cuisine.
• Chili Powder: Provides balanced heat and traditional southwestern spice profile.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces herbal, slightly bitter notes that complement other seasonings.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste experience.

• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Brings smoky, concentrated tomato flavor with slight char complexity.
• Tomato Paste: Thickens soup and intensifies robust tomato essence.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base with delicate savory undertones.
• Red Kidney Beans: Adds creamy texture and hearty protein boost.
• Black Beans: Provides additional protein and classic southwestern texture.
• Sweet Corn: Introduces sweet, kerneled texture and nutritional variety.
• Shredded Cooked Chicken: Delivers lean protein and substantial meal satisfaction.

Irresistible Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken enchilada soup delivers comfort in a bowl with rich Mexican-inspired flavors. Spicy, cheesy goodness awaits diners seeking warmth and depth in every spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 cups (960 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• 14.5 oz (415 g) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 14.5 oz (415 g) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 14.5 oz (415 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
• 2–3 garlic cloves, chopped
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 tbsp butter or ghee (or avocado oil)
• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cup Mexican shredded cheese blend
• salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Melt butter or ghee in a large stockpot over medium-high heat, creating a flavorful aromatic base for the soup.
2. Vegetable Medley: Add onion, celery, carrots, red bell pepper, and garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
3. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle ground cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano, stirring to distribute spices evenly and develop a rich flavor profile.
4. Liquid Harmony: Incorporate fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth, creating a robust liquid foundation that will transform into a hearty soup.
5. Blending Transformation: Use a hand blender to puree the mixture into a silky, smooth consistency, ensuring all ingredients merge into a harmonious texture.
6. Protein Enrichment: Return the blended soup to medium heat, gently folding in red kidney beans, black beans, sweet corn, and shredded chicken to create a protein-packed culinary experience.
7. Final Flourish: Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, topping with Mexican cheese blend and optional garnishes like diced avocado, crispy tortilla strips, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for a vibrant and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Butter Base Boost: Ghee or butter creates a richer, deeper flavor foundation compared to plain oil, enhancing the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Spice Precision: Toast ground cumin, chili powder, and oregano briefly before adding liquid to release their essential oils and intensify the aromatic qualities.
• Texture Transformation: Blending only half the soup keeps a perfect balance between smooth consistency and chunky vegetable texture for an exciting mouthfeel.
• Protein Power-Up: Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully as a time-saving alternative to cooking chicken separately, adding instant flavor and reducing preparation steps.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg