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Chicken Enchilada Soup

A creamy and flavorful Chicken Enchilada Soup that's perfect for chilly evenings, bringing comfort and joy to your table.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter For best results
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, diced with seeds removed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 10 oz red enchilada sauce
  • 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz canned whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce Optional for a little extra kick
  • 4 cups chicken broth Choose a low-sodium option
  • 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast or 2 small
  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded Shredding from a block recommended
  • 0.5 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded Shredding from a block recommended
Seasonings
  • 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine the seasonings in a small bowl and set aside. Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for easier incorporation. Shred your cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese from a block and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
  1. In a large soup pot over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. Once melted, add the diced onions and jalapeño peppers. Sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
Prepare Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken breast dry and season it generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Add it to the pot along with all remaining ingredients except the cream cheese and shredded cheese.
Cooking
  1. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Shred Chicken
  1. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the soup, stirring to combine.
Incorporate Creaminess
  1. Lower the heat to low, and stir in the softened cream cheese followed by the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until they are beautifully melted and the soup is creamy.
Final Taste Check
  1. Taste your soup and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve
  1. Ladle into bowls while hot, and enjoy!

Notes

For perfectly tender chicken, ensure it’s not overcooked. If you prefer a spicier soup, keep the seeds in the jalapeño.