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Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

If you’re craving something cozy, rich, and packed with bold southwestern flavors, this Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe is an absolute winner! It’s a creamy, hearty soup that combines tender chicken, zesty green chiles, and comforting beans all simmered together in an irresistible enchilada sauce base. Perfect for any day when you want a warm hug in a bowl!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Effortlessly Flavorful: Simple ingredients come together to create layers of delicious southwestern taste without complicated prep.
Slow Cooker Friendly: Toss it all in, set it, and let it work its magic while you relax.
Customizable Toppings: From creamy avocado to crunchy tortilla strips, personalize every bowl your way.
Hearty and Nourishing: Beans and chicken make it filling and perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.

A white bowl filled with creamy light tan soup that has green herbs mixed inside. On top of the soup, there are three distinct layers: at the back, a pile of broken yellow corn chips; in the middle, a small dollop of white sour cream with green chopped herbs on it; in front, a mix of shredded orange and white cheese. A single large green cilantro leaf sits on top of the cheese near the corn chips. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl is on a white marbled surface with a bunch of fresh green cilantro leaves nearby and a white cloth with thin gray stripes on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup, southwest chicken soup, creamy green chili soup, easy enchilada soup, hearty chicken and bean soup

Ingredients & Substitutions

Every ingredient in this Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe plays a key role, from the creamy texture that cream cheese adds to the smoky spice of chili powder—and the mild heat from green chiles brings it all together beautifully. Using pantry staples alongside fresh touches makes it an easy go-to meal.

Flat lay of diced cooked chicken, white beans, soft cream cheese cubes, bright yellow corn kernels, small green chile peppers, a rich green enchilada sauce spoonful, shredded cheddar cheese, diced ripe avocado, and fresh chopped cilantro, all beautifully arranged in colorful clusters and contrasts, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup, southwest chicken soup, creamy green chili soup, easy enchilada soup, hearty chicken and bean soup
  • Cooked Chicken: Adds protein and a tender bite; rotisserie chicken works great to save time.
  • White Beans: Provide subtle creaminess and fiber; cannellini or great northern beans are perfect.
  • Cream Cheese: Melts into the soup making it ultra creamy and rich.
  • Corn: Adds sweetness and texture, whether frozen or canned.
  • Green Chiles: Bring authentic southwestern flavor with mild heat.
  • Enchilada Sauce: The heart of the soup’s flavor—green or red sauce works well depending on your preference.
  • Seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt): Build depth without overwhelming the soup.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base, enhancing all the flavors.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In your slow cooker, add diced cooked chicken, rinsed white beans, softened cream cheese cubes, corn, green chiles, enchilada sauce, and all your spices plus chicken broth. Give everything a good stir so the cream cheese starts to blend with the broth and the spices are evenly distributed. This step sets the foundation for a rich and flavorful soup.

Step 2: Slow Cook Until Perfectly Blended

Cover your slow cooker and set it to high heat for about 2 to 3 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together, the cream cheese to melt smoothly, and the soup to heat through thoroughly. The result is a warm, aromatic broth brimming with the heartiness and spice we all love.

Step 3: Serve with All Your Favorite Toppings

Ladle the soup into bowls and dress it up with crunchy tortilla strips, shredded cheddar cheese, dollops of sour cream, fresh diced avocado, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for that fresh, bright finish. Each bite becomes a perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and fresh textures—you’ll want seconds!

How to Serve Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

A close-up image of a creamy soup in a white bowl, showing one spoon lifted with a scoop of the thick soup. The soup has visible layers including light yellow cream, chunks of white meat, yellow corn kernels, bits of green herbs, and melted orange cheese. In the background, more of the soup fills the bowl, topped with crispy, folded tortilla chips and a fresh green cilantro leaf on the side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup, southwest chicken soup, creamy green chili soup, easy enchilada soup, hearty chicken and bean soup

Garnishes

The magic of this soup is in the toppings! Bring on crispy tortilla strips or chips for crunch, shredded cheddar adds that melty cheesiness we crave, sour cream cools things down, and creamy avocado chunks provide a buttery contrast. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro brightens and finishes the bowl perfectly.

Side Dishes

Pair your bowl of Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup with a simple side of warm cornbread or a fresh green salad for balance. A few lime wedges on the side can also add a zesty kick that elevates the entire meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the soup in mini mason jars as appetizers, or pour it over a bed of tortilla chips for a deconstructed nacho experience. You can also layer it in a bread bowl for a dramatic presentation that’s sure to wow guests at any gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your leftover Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days—making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

Freezing

This soup freezes wonderfully! Transfer completely cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, then freeze for up to 3 months. It’s great to have on hand when you need a quick, comforting meal waiting for you.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator when frozen. Warm your soup gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add fresh toppings after reheating to keep that vibrant texture and flavor alive.

FAQs

  1. Can I make this soup without cream cheese?

    Yes! While cream cheese adds wonderful creaminess, you can substitute it with sour cream or Greek yogurt stirred in at the end of cooking, or omit it if you prefer a lighter broth.

  2. Is this soup spicy?

    It has a mild to moderate heat depending on the brand of green chiles and enchilada sauce you use. You can adjust by selecting milder or hotter canned chiles or adding extra chili powder if you love spicy food.

  3. Can I make the soup on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

    Absolutely! Combine all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a simmer over medium heat, stir occasionally, and let it cook for about 10 minutes until heated through.

  4. What’s the best way to reheat leftover soup?

    Thaw in the fridge if frozen, then warm over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and to ensure even heating.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe enough for anyone who loves bold, homey, and satisfying dishes. It’s easy to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for sharing or meal prepping. Give it a try and watch it become a new favorite you’ll want to make again and again!

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Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 480 reviews
  • Author: Susan
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

This hearty Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup combines tender chicken, creamy white beans, and vibrant green chilies in a rich enchilada sauce base. Enhanced with corn and cream cheese, it’s a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for any day. Topped with crunchy tortilla strips, shredded cheddar, creamy sour cream, avocado, and fresh cilantro, this slow-cooked soup is easy to prepare and satisfying.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced into 1/2″ chunks
  • 2 15ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 1 cup corn, canned or frozen
  • 1 4ounce can green chiles
  • 1 14ounce 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

  1. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: 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 the ingredients evenly.
  2. Cook Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, or until the soup is thoroughly heated and flavors have melded together.
  3. Serve and Add Toppings: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with your favorite toppings such as tortilla strips, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Stovetop Instructions: In a large pot, combine cooked chicken, white beans, corn, green chiles, green enchilada sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and chicken broth. Stir to blend. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve with toppings as desired.
  • Storing Instructions: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • You can freeze cooled soup in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat frozen soup, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

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