Easy Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

A Soup Full of Sunshine

This chicken enchilada soup is like a warm hug. It fills your kitchen with the best smells. Onion, garlic, and spices dance in the air. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

I first made this for my grandson on a rainy day. He was feeling a little down. A big bowl of this soup made him smile. I still laugh at how he asked for a second bowl.

Why We Sauté First

We start by cooking the veggies in oil. This is not just to soften them. It wakes up their flavors. It makes the whole soup taste richer and deeper.

This step matters. It builds a strong foundation for your soup. It is like building a house on a solid rock. Everything else you add will taste better for it. What is your favorite vegetable to smell cooking?

The Magic of Blending

Now for the fun part. We blend the soup! This turns all those good veggies into a smooth, thick broth. It makes the soup feel creamy without too much cream.

Fun fact: The corn tortillas thicken the soup when blended. They give it a wonderful texture. It is a neat little trick my own grandma taught me. Have you ever used tortillas to thicken a soup or sauce before?

Making It Your Own

The toppings are the best part. This is where you get to be the artist. I love lots of creamy avocado and sharp cheese. My husband always adds a big spoonful of sour cream.

This matters because cooking should be fun. It is your creation. You are in charge of the flavors. What toppings would make this soup perfect for you?

A Bowl of Goodness

This soup is not just tasty. It is full of good things for your body. The carrots and peppers are full of vitamins. The chicken gives you strong protein.

Eating well matters. It helps you feel strong and happy. A warm, home-cooked meal can turn a bad day into a good one. It is a simple way to show love to your family and yourself.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Olive oil	2 Tablespoons
Onion	1 medium	chopped
Garlic	5-6 cloves	chopped
Carrots	2	peeled and chopped
Celery	2 ribs	chopped
Bell pepper	1	chopped
Chili powder	1 1/2 teaspoons
Cumin	1 teaspoon
Ground coriander	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Paprika	3/4 teaspoon
Low-sodium chicken broth	6 cups
Diced tomatoes	14.5 ounce can
Chicken breasts	2-3	or 4-5 skinless chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
Yellow corn tortillas	5-6	6 inch
Salt and black pepper	to taste
Black beans	15 oz can
Diced green chiles	4 oz can
Heavy whipping cream	1/2 cup
Sour cream		for topping
Cheddar or pepper jack cheese		shredded, for topping
Fresh cilantro		for topping
Green onion		chopped, for topping
Avocado		chopped, for topping

My Cozy Chicken Enchilada Soup

This soup is like a warm hug from the inside. My grandkids ask for it all the time. It turns simple ingredients into a fiesta in a bowl. I love how the whole house smells while it cooks. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 corn tortillas, torn
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
• 1 (4 oz) can mild green chiles
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Grab your big soup pot. Warm up some olive oil over a medium flame. Toss in your chopped onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. We sauté them until they get soft and friendly. I still laugh at the time I used a purple onion. It made the whole soup a funny color!

Step 2: Now for the magic. Sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, and paprika. Stir it all around. You will see the veggies wear a lovely coat of spice. Pour in your chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes. Let it bubble happily for about five minutes.

Step 3: Time for the chicken and tortillas. Just plop them right into the pot. Let everything cook for about fifteen minutes. The chicken will be cooked through. (My hard-learned tip: The tortillas will seem to disappear! They are thickening the soup, I promise). Carefully take the chicken out and shred it with two forks.

Step 4: This is the fun part. Carefully ladle the hot soup into your blender. Blend it until it is perfectly smooth. Do this in batches so your blender does not get too full. It turns the soup into a rich, creamy base. What’s your favorite kitchen tool? Share below!

Step 5: Almost done! Pour that smooth broth back into the pot. Stir in your shredded chicken, black beans, and those mild green chiles. Last, swirl in the cream. Give it a taste. Add salt and pepper until it sings. Now it is ready for all your favorite toppings.

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Fun Twists to Try

This soup is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it is fun to play with your food. Here are a few ideas to make it new again. I have tried them all with great success.

Make It Meatless: Just skip the chicken. Use a second can of black beans instead. It is just as hearty and delicious.

Give It a Kick: Add a chopped jalapeño with the other veggies. My grandson loves it this way. It makes his nose sweat a little!

Summer Garden Swap: In the summer, use fresh corn from the cob. Swap the carrots for chopped zucchini. It tastes like sunshine.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Now, for the best part. I love setting out little bowls of toppings. Let everyone build their own perfect bowl. It feels so special. I always include a big dollop of cool sour cream. Some shredded cheese and creamy avocado are a must.

A crispy quesadilla is the perfect side for dipping. Or just some warm, buttery tortilla chips. For a drink, a cold glass of horchata is so nice. For the grown-ups, a light Mexican beer pairs wonderfully. Which would you choose tonight?

Storing Your Cozy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Let’s talk about keeping your soup tasty for later. This soup loves your fridge. It will stay good there for about four days. Just let it cool first. Then pop it in a container with a lid.

You can also freeze this soup for a cold night. I always make a double batch. It is so nice to have a ready-made meal. I remember my first time freezing soup. I forgot to leave space in the container. The lid popped right off. What a mess.

Reheating is simple. Warm it on the stove over medium heat. Stir it now and then. You can add a splash of broth if it gets too thick. Batch cooking saves you time and money. It means a warm meal is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Soup Troubles

Is your soup too thin? Let it simmer a bit longer. The extra cooking makes the broth richer. I once added too much broth by mistake. A little extra simmering fixed it right up.

Does it need more flavor? Do not be shy with the salt and pepper. Taste it as you go. This is the secret to good cooking. It makes you confident in the kitchen.

Is the chicken tough? You might have cooked it too fast. Keep the heat at a gentle bubble. This makes the chicken tender and juicy. Good flavor comes from patience. 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. It tastes even better the next day.

Q: What if I do not have coriander? A: Use a bit more cumin instead. It will still be delicious.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Of course. Use your biggest soup pot.

Q: Are the toppings important? A: They are the best part. They add fresh flavor and fun. Fun fact: The corn tortillas thicken the soup and give it a wonderful, cozy texture. Which tip will you try first?

A Note From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this cozy soup. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. I would love to see your creation. Sharing food is a way of sharing joy.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! It makes me so happy to see your bowls of soup. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.