Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

A Soup That Feels Like a Hug

Some soups just feel like a warm hug. This chicken enchilada soup is one of them. It is cozy and creamy. It makes everything feel better.

My grandson calls it his power-up soup. He asks for it after a long day at school. That makes my heart so happy. Food is more than just eating. It is a way to show you care.

A Funny Little Kitchen Secret

I have a small secret for this soup. You add whole corn tortillas right into the pot. It sounds strange, I know. I thought so too the first time I tried it.

But those tortillas melt away as it cooks. They make the soup thick and creamy. You would never know they are in there. I still laugh at how magic that seems.

Let’s Talk Toppings!

Now, the best part is the toppings. You get to make your bowl your own. I love a big spoonful of sour cream and lots of crunchy chips.

My husband piles on the cheese and avocado. What is your favorite soup topping? Do you like it crunchy, creamy, or a little of both? Tell me what you would choose.

Why This Soup is Good For You

This soup is full of good things. The carrots and celery are from the earth. They help your body stay strong. The chicken gives you protein to keep you going.

Eating a rainbow of foods matters. It helps you feel your best from the inside out. This soup has red, green, and orange all in one pot. That is a win in my book.

A Fun Fact About Spices

All those spices are not just for flavor. They tell a story. Cumin and coriander have been used for thousands of years. People have always loved their warm taste.

Fun fact: The chili powder gives the soup its gentle kick. But did you know chilies are actually a fruit? I think that is so interesting.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This soup is perfect for a busy week. The Instant Pot does most of the work for you. Your whole house will smell amazing. Doesn’t that sound nice?

If you make it, will you tell me how it turned out? Was it a hit with your family? I love hearing your kitchen stories. They are my favorite thing to read.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chicken thighs	4-5	skinless, bone in or boneless
Salt and pepper	to taste
Olive oil	2 Tablespoons	divided
Onion	1	chopped
Garlic	4 cloves	minced
Carrots	2	chopped
Celery	2 ribs	chopped
Red bell pepper	1	chopped
Chili powder	1 1/2 teaspoons
Ground cumin	1 teaspoon
Ground coriander	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Paprika	3/4 teaspoon
Low-sodium chicken broth	6 cups (1362g)
Diced tomatoes	14.5 ounce can
Yellow corn tortillas	6
Black beans	1 can	drained and rinsed
Diced green chiles	4 ounce can
Heavy whipping cream	1/2 cup (113g)

A Cozy Pot of Enchilada Soup

Hello, my dear. Come on in. It’s a perfect day for soup, don’t you think? This recipe is like a big, warm hug from my kitchen to yours. It turns simple chicken and veggies into something magical. I love how the whole house smells when it’s cooking. It reminds me of my grandson’s face when he takes the first bite. He always smiles so big.

We’ll use your Instant Pot to make it quick and easy. No need to stand over the stove for hours. This soup is full of flavor and so creamy. Let’s get our apron on and begin. I’ll walk you through it, step-by-step.

Step 1: First, we season our chicken thighs. Just a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Now, turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add one tablespoon of that olive oil. Carefully place the chicken in the pot. We just want to brown it for a minute or two on each side. It doesn’t need to be cooked through yet. This little step gives our soup so much more flavor.

Step 2: Take the chicken out and set it aside on a plate. Now, add a bit more oil to the pot. Toss in your chopped onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Oh, I love the sizzle! Sauté them for a few minutes until they smell wonderful. They should be just starting to soften.

Step 3: Turn off the sauté function. This is important. Now, stir in all our lovely spices. The chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, and paprika. Mix them right into the veggies. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It reminds me of a sunny market.

Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes. Give it a good stir. Now, add the chicken back in. Here’s the fun part. Take your whole corn tortillas and just press them down into the liquid. They will melt away and thicken the soup. Put the lid on and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure come down on its own for 12 minutes after. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t rush the pressure release, or the soup might sputter!).

Step 5: When it’s safe, open the lid. Carefully take the chicken out and put it on a plate. Use two forks to shred the meat. It should be so tender and just fall apart. I still laugh at how my husband always tries to sneak a piece at this stage.

Step 6: Now, this next step is my secret. It makes the soup so smooth and creamy. Ladle most of the soup broth and veggies into a blender. Blend it until it’s perfectly smooth. Be careful, it’s hot! This is the step that makes it special.

Step 7: Pour that beautiful, smooth soup back into the pot. Add your shredded chicken, the black beans, the green chiles, and the heavy cream. Stir it all together gently. Let it warm through. Give it a taste. Does it need a little more salt or pepper? You decide.

Step 8: Time to eat! Ladle the soup into big bowls. Now for the best part, the toppings. Let everyone add what they like. What’s your must-have soup topping? Share below!

Cook Time: 10 minutes (pressure cook)
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Yield: 6 generous servings
Category: Dinner, Soup

Let’s Mix It Up!

This soup is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play with your food. You can change it to suit your mood. Here are a few ideas I like to use. They are all simple twists.

Make It Meatless: Just leave out the chicken. Use a second can of black beans instead. It’s just as cozy and filling.

Turn Up the Heat: Love a little spice? Add a chopped jalapeño with the other veggies. It will give the soup a nice kick.

Sweet Potato Swap: For a fall treat, swap the carrots for chopped sweet potato. It adds a lovely, sweet flavor that is so comforting.

These are just a few ways to make it your own. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Bowl

Now, let’s talk about serving this lovely soup. A meal is more than just what’s in the bowl. It’s about the whole experience. I love setting a pretty table, even on a weeknight.

For sides, I suggest simple things. A warm, buttered flour tortilla is perfect for dipping. A crisp side salad with a lime vinaigrette also balances the creamy soup so nicely. Don’t forget the toppings! Set out little bowls of sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced avocado. Let everyone build their own perfect bowl.

What to drink? A cold, fizzy limeade is wonderful with this. For the grown-ups, a light lager beer or a margarita pairs beautifully. It cuts through the richness. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cozy Soup Cozy

This soup is a wonderful friend to have in your fridge. It will stay good for about four days. Just let it cool completely before you put the lid on.

You can also freeze it for a later day. I freeze it in single portions. This makes for an easy lunch on a busy day.

I once tried to freeze a big pot of soup. It took forever to thaw. Now I use small containers. It is so much smarter.

To reheat, just warm it on the stove. Stir it now and then. Add a splash of broth if it gets too thick.

Making a big batch saves you time later. A ready-made meal is a gift to your future self. This matters on tired evenings.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for a Perfect Pot of Soup

Is your soup too thin? Let it simmer with the lid off. The extra liquid will steam away and thicken it up.

Is it not creamy enough? Add a little more heavy cream. Stir it in right at the end. This makes it rich and smooth.

I remember when my spices tasted a bit dull. My friend told me a secret. Toasting them in a dry pan first wakes them up.

Getting the flavor right builds your cooking confidence. You learn to trust your own taste. That is a wonderful feeling.

A well-seasoned soup is a hug in a bowl. It feeds both the body and the spirit. That is why these small fixes matter.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Is this soup gluten-free? A: Yes, it is. Just check your chicken broth label to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. The flavors get even better the next day.

Q: What if I do not have chicken thighs? A: You can use chicken breasts instead. They will work just fine.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can. Just make sure your Instant Pot is not too full.

Q: Is blending the soup necessary? A: No, it is optional. But it makes the soup silky. Fun fact: Blending the tortillas thickens the soup naturally!

Which tip will you try first?

Until Next Time, My Friend

I hope you love this soup as much as I do. It is a regular in my kitchen. It always makes the house smell wonderful.

I would love to see your beautiful bowls. Share a picture with all your favorite toppings. It makes me so happy to see your creations.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.