Skip to Content

Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

This Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for chilly weeknight meals. With tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy soup with red enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and Rotel, this easy enchilada soup recipe is sure to be a family favorite. 

The best part is how easy this soup is to make! In just 40 minutes, you have a comforting and satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Serving of Chicken Enchilada Soup in a white bowl.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below, and we'll send it directly to you. Plus, you'll get amazing recipes sent to you daily.

Save Recipe

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Simple.

Jump to:

This Chicken Enchilada Soup is practically a weekly tradition at my house!

The real magic happens when you swirl in cream cheese and shredded cheddar, transforming the soup into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece. It's like pure comfort in a bowl.

When it's ready, I set up a little topping station with extras like cheese, avocado, and tortilla strips for a personalized touch.

Here's the secret – always make extra because it's somehow even more amazing the next day. Leftovers vanish fast!

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

Ingredients to make Chicken Enchilada Soup set out on the counter.
  • Chicken Breast: Protein that gives a hearty texture to the soup, making it a satisfying meal.
  • Salt and Pepper: Adds flavor to the chicken and onions.
  • Olive Oil: Used to sauté the chicken and onions.
  • Onion and Garlic: Adds depth of flavor to the soup.
  • Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano: This spice quartet is the perfect flavor combo, giving the soup that unmistakable Tex-Mex charm.
  • Red Enchilada Sauce: This is the flavor backbone of the soup, providing a rich and tangy flavor.
  • Black Beans: Adds more protein and flavor.
  • Corn: You can use canned or frozen corn for this recipe. 
  • Rotel: Rotel is great for controlling the spice level of your soup. Get the kind with green chiles for a mild, kid-friendly flavor, the kind with jalapenos if you want a little kick, or the Rotel with habaneros if you really want a spicy soup. 
  • Chicken Broth: Serves as the liquid base of the soup and brings everything together.
  • Cream Cheese and Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides the creaminess and cheesy goodness to the soup.

How To Make Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken, onion, salt and pepper in a stock pot.
Seasonings are added to the chicken and onions in the stock pot.

Add the chicken, onion, salt, and pepper to a soup pot with olive oil over medium heat. Cook it until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are translucent. Add garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano and give everything a good stir.

Enchilada sauce chicken broth, black beans, corn, and Rotel in a stock pot.
Chicken Enchilada Soup simmering in a stock pot.

Then, add the enchilada sauce (the key that ties everything together), black beans, corn, Rotel, and chicken broth. 

Cover and bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer if to let all the flavors come together. 

Cream cheese and shredded cheese added to Chicken Enchilada Soup in the stock pot.
Chicken Enchilada Soup in a stock pot with a large spoon scooping a serving.

Stir in the cream cheese and cheddar cheese until they are melted and incorporated. It helps if you have the cream cheese in little pieces!

Top your soup however you’d like and enjoy!

Chicken Enchilada Soup in stock pot.

Soup Variations

  • Switch out the protein. You can make this same recipe with ground beef, ground chicken or turkey, or even shrimp! It will be delicious every way you make it. 
  • Make it in a slow cooker. After you cook the chicken, transfer it to a slow cooker and add all the other ingredients. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours and you have a delicious, hands-off dinner. 
  • Make it spicy. Use the Rotel to make your chicken enchilada soup spicy. It comes in different spice level- Green chili (mild), Jalapeno (hot), and Habanero (super hot), so you can buy the one that suits your preferences. 

Storing, Freezing, and Make-Ahead

Store: Keep the Chicken Enchilada Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you're ready for round two.

Freeze: Once it's all cooked, let it cool down, then put it in a freezer-friendly container or some heavy-duty freezer zip-top bags. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. 

This chicken enchilada soup will keep frozen for 2 months. Sometimes dairy products like cheddar and cream cheese can change consistencies when frozen and reheated, so you may want to hold off on adding them until you’re ready to eat it. 

Make-Ahead: This soup is even better the next day! Make it ahead and keep it in the freezer or fridge until you’re ready to serve. 

Recipe Tips

  • Are you like me, always tearing up when cutting onions? I found a new hack recently- Pop your onions in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before chopping. It minimizes the tear-inducing effect.
  • If you want a heartier soup, add a bit less chicken broth. If you prefer it more soup-like, you can always thin it out with a bit more broth.
  • When you open the Rotel can, don't toss the juice. Add a bit to the soup for an extra flavor kick.
  •  Set up a little toppings station when serving. Extra cheese, sliced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream. Let everyone personalize their bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work well and can add a bit more richness to the soup.

What's a good substitute for Rotel if I can't find it?

If Rotel isn't available, you can use diced tomatoes and add some diced green chilies.

What sort of toppings are good on this soup?

I like to serve it with extra shredded cheese, sliced avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.

Chicken Enchilada Soup in a bowl topped with sour cream, black olives, and jalapenos.

My family loves soup and here are a few more of our favorites.

Get ready for a flavor-packed meal with Chicken Enchilada Soup. This soup is a guaranteed favorite. It's a satisfying bowl of soup that'll have you hooked from the first spoonful.

Chicken Enchilada Soup in a white bowl.

Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe

Author: Judy Wilson
This Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for chilly weeknight meals. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 431 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cubed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 10 ounce can red enchilada sauce
  • 15.9 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15.9 ounce can of corn, drained (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)
  • 10 ounce can Rotel
  • cups chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a 4 quart or larger stock pot over medium heat.
  • Add chicken, onion, salt, pepper, and sauté until onions are translucent and the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through.
  • Stir in spices and oregano, then add enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, Rotel, and chicken broth.
  • Cover and bring soup to a gentle boil, then simmer it for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  • Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese and cream cheese until melted and completely incorporated.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store the Chicken Enchilada Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 31gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1683mgPotassium: 853mgFiber: 9gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1228IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 214mgIron: 3mg
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Did You Make This Recipe? Please Rate, Comment & Share. Thank you!
Leave a Comment
Recipe Rating




Pam

Thursday 5th of December 2024

Delicious!!! Reminds me of ChiChi's Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Paula Short

Saturday 13th of January 2024

Oh my, this sounds incredible! I can virtually taste this. Thanks so much for sharing this Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.

Lynne | My Family Thyme

Tuesday 9th of January 2024

Happy New Year! I am so happy to feature your post at this week's Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Thank you so much for sharing! :)

Stephanie

Saturday 6th of January 2024

This looks delicious!

Don't Miss Anything!

Please FOLLOW & SHARE on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM!

I Would Love To Have You Follow Me On PINTEREST.

Shop Our Favorite Kitchen Items And Best Gift Ideas On Amazon.