If you’re looking for a comforting and flavorful soup that’s bursting with zest and creaminess, then you’ve just found it! This Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s super cozy, effortlessly tasty, and feels like a big warm hug on chilly days. You’re going to love how the enchilada sauce blends with tender chicken and creamy beans — plus, it’s so simple to throw together in a slow cooker!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Prep: Toss everything in and let your slow cooker do the magic while you relax.
- Deliciously Creamy Texture: Cream cheese mingles perfectly with the green enchilada sauce for a rich, velvety finish.
- Customizable Toppings: You can tailor every bowl with your favorite garnishes, making it fun and fresh every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe balances simple pantry staples with fresh flavors. Each ingredient works in harmony to give you a perfect blend of creaminess, spice, and heartiness — plus, it’s easy to find everything in any grocery store.
- Cooked Chicken: I like using rotisserie chicken for ease and flavor, but any cooked chicken cut into half-inch chunks works great.
- White Beans: Rinsed and drained canned white beans add creaminess and protein without fuss.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to the velvety texture—make sure it’s softened for easy melting.
- Corn: Whether canned or frozen, corn adds a subtle sweetness and wonderful texture.
- Green Chiles: These deliver a mild, smoky kick—go for the canned variety if fresh ones aren’t available.
- Green Enchilada Sauce: Your flavor base! Can substitute with red if you want a different vibe, but green really shines here.
- Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder: These spices layer in warmth and depth without overpowering the dish.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors — start with half a teaspoon and adjust when you taste.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid that brings everything together — homemade or store-bought both work well.
Variations
I love making this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe my own — sometimes I switch up the toppings or use different proteins. Don’t hesitate to experiment; it’s so forgiving and adaptable!
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and add extra beans or roasted veggies like zucchini or bell peppers — it still tastes amazing and is so filling.
- Spicy Kick: I’ve added a dash of cayenne or some chopped jalapeños when I want more heat; just be careful not to overpower the creaminess.
- Mild & Creamy: If you prefer a gentler flavor, reduce the chili powder slightly and add a splash of lime juice for brightness instead.
- Instant Pot Version: Use your Instant Pot on the soup setting for about 15 minutes, then quick release and stir in cream cheese at the end.
How to Make Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Combine All Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
This is the best part — no chopping required if you use pre-cooked chicken and canned goods! Just add the chicken, white beans, cream cheese cubes, corn, green chiles, green enchilada sauce, all the spices, salt, and chicken broth into your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir so the cream cheese starts breaking down and incorporating evenly.
Step 2: Let It Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on high heat for around 2 to 3 hours. You’ll want the soup to be bubbling and hot, and this gives the flavors time to mingle and deepen. If you’re in a rush, you can go lower and longer, but 2-3 hours on high is my sweet spot.
Step 3: Serve with Your Favorite Toppings
Ladle the soup into bowls and pile on tortilla strips, shredded cheddar, dollops of sour cream, fresh diced avocado, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. I promise these garnishes really elevate every bite and add loads of fresh texture and taste. It’s like a personal taco bar but in soup form!
Pro Tips for Making Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: It saves so much time and adds rich seasoning right out of the box.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Let it come to room temperature before adding, so it blends smoothly without lumps.
- Don’t Skip the Garnishes: They add freshness and texture that bring each spoonful to life.
- Adjust Salt Last: Taste after cooking because the enchilada sauce and broth already have salt, and you might want less than you think.
How to Serve Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I swear by topping this soup with crunchy tortilla strips, sharp shredded cheddar cheese, creamy sour cream, fresh avocado chunks, and a scattering of fresh cilantro. Each adds a different texture and flavor that makes every bite exciting — and honestly, my family fights over the last bits of avocado!
Side Dishes
This soup stands well on its own, but I often serve it alongside a fresh green salad or some warm cornbread to soak up all the flavors. Sometimes, I even scoop it over rice for a hearty twist.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like serving the soup in mini tortilla bowls or hollowed mini bell peppers to impress guests. Adding a lime wedge and some pickled jalapeños on the side brings the whole experience to the next level!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and the soup actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to deepen. Just make sure to add fresh avocado and crispy toppings after reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully! Just cool it completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or zip bags. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
I reheat mine on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring gently to reincorporate any cream cheese that might have settled. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling, and freshen it up with a squeeze of lime or extra cilantro before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! You can pressure cook all the ingredients except the cream cheese for about 10-15 minutes, then stir in the cream cheese at the end until smooth. It’s quicker but still delivers that rich flavor.
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What can I substitute for cream cheese if I don’t have any?
Sour cream or Greek yogurt can work in a pinch to add creaminess, but cream cheese provides the best velvety texture and tang that really enhances the soup.
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How spicy is this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe?
It’s mildly spicy thanks to the green chiles and chili powder, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding jalapeños or extra chili powder for a bolder kick.
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Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use cooked, thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. You can poach chicken breasts or shred leftover chicken if you don’t have rotisserie handy.
Final Thoughts
This Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it feels so heartwarming yet vibrant. Every time I make it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients combined thoughtfully can turn into something extraordinary — perfect for casual weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd. I genuinely hope you give it a try and make it your own; once you taste that rich cream cheese blend with the tangy green enchilada sauce, you’ll see why my family goes crazy for it. Happy cooking!
Print
Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Green Enchilada Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful slow cooker recipe combining tender chicken, white beans, creamy cheese, and vibrant green enchilada sauce. Perfect for a hearty meal, it is topped with tortilla strips, cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, and fresh cilantro for a delicious Tex-Mex twist.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced into 1/2” chunks
- 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 cup corn, canned or frozen
- 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles
- 1 (14-ounce) can green enchilada sauce (or red)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups chicken broth
Toppings
- 2 cups tortilla strips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large avocado, diced
- Cilantro, fresh chopped
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, add the cooked chicken, white beans, cream cheese, corn, green chiles, green enchilada sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and set it to high heat. Allow the soup to cook for 2 to 3 hours, or until the mixture is hot throughout and flavors are well blended.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with your preferred toppings such as tortilla strips, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute red enchilada sauce if you prefer a little spicier or earthier flavor.
- The cream cheese adds richness, but for a lighter version, reduce the amount or use a low-fat alternative.
- Use fresh corn if available for better texture and flavor instead of canned or frozen.
- Adjust chili powder and salt to taste based on your spice preference.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg