Tangy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Slow Cooker Soup Recipe
Green chile enchilada soup simmers with irresistible southwestern charm, blending slow cooker magic into a comforting meal that warms from the first spoonful.
Tender chicken mingles with rich, creamy broth and zesty green chiles, creating a bowl of pure comfort.
Bold flavors dance across your palate, hinting at the delicious journey ahead.
This soup delivers restaurant-quality taste without spending hours in the kitchen.
Every ingredient works together to craft a meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.
The recipe promises satisfaction with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Let’s find out this soul-warming soup that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup
Chicken Preparation Nestle chicken breasts into the slow cooker's cozy interior, creating a warm base for your hearty meal.
Spice Blend Shower the chicken with a symphony of spices – garlic, onion, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper – infusing deep flavor into every bite.
Liquid Magic Pour green enchilada sauce and chicken broth over the seasoned chicken, creating a rich, aromatic liquid foundation.
Bean and Corn Party Scatter cannellini beans and sweet corn kernels throughout the mixture, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
Slow Cooking Ritual Set your slow cooker for a leisurely 6-hour journey on low heat, allowing flavors to mingle and develop complexity.
Chicken Transformation Remove chicken, letting it cool briefly before tenderly pulling apart with two forks into delicate shreds.
Creamy Transformation Whisk room temperature cream cheese into the soup, transforming the liquid into a silky, luxurious texture.
Final Touch Gently fold in Greek yogurt, creating a tangy, smooth finish that elevates the soup's richness.
Serving Celebration Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, crowning each with a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, and creamy avocado slices.
Tips and Tricks for Creamy Enchilada Soup
Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey for a quick meal prep hack that saves time and adds extra flavor.
Adjust heat levels by choosing mild or hot green chiles, or add diced jalapeños for an extra kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
Replace cream cheese and Greek yogurt with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a delicious dairy-free version that's equally creamy and satisfying.
Toss in additional vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add more texture to the soup.
This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for make-ahead meals or unexpected dinner emergencies.
Serving Ideas for Chicken Enchilada Soup
Comfort Bowl Companions: Pair this hearty soup with warm, buttery cornbread or crispy tortilla strips for added texture and delightful crunch.
Garnish Galore: Sprinkle extra toppings like diced red onions, jalapeño slices, or a dollop of sour cream to elevate the soup's flavor profile and create a personalized dining experience.
Mexican-Inspired Side Kick: Serve alongside a quick black bean salad or Mexican rice to transform this soup into a complete, satisfying meal that brings warmth and zesty southwestern flair to your dinner table.
Fresh Finish: Add a bright squeeze of lime juice just before serving to enhance the soup's tangy notes and bring a refreshing citrus undertone that complements the creamy green chile chicken base.
Storing Leftover Enchilada Soup the Right Way
Quick Batch Preparation: Multiply ingredients to create multiple meal servings during weekend cooking sessions, storing extra portions in airtight containers for fast weeknight dinners.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, ensuring maximum freshness for up to 3 months; leave slight space at top to prevent expansion during freezing.
Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Transfer leftover soup into sealed glass containers, maintaining quality for 3-4 days; recommend avoiding repeated reheating to keep texture and flavor consistent.
Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated soup gently on stovetop or microwave, adding small splash of chicken broth to restore original creamy consistency and prevent potential ingredient separation.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Calories: 290 kcal
Servings: 7
Everything You’ll Need for Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup
For Protein and Base:
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the hearty foundation of the soup, selecting fresh and trimmed pieces ensures tender, flavorful meat.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base, providing depth and allowing other flavors to shine without overwhelming saltiness.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Green Enchilada Sauce: Adds signature southwestern zest and rich complexity, Hatch brand offers authentic New Mexican chile character.
Diced Green Chiles: Introduces mild, earthy heat and bright pepper notes, selecting fire-roasted varieties boosts overall depth.
Ground Cumin: Delivers warm, smoky undertones characteristic of southwestern cuisine.
Chili Powder: Builds layered spice profile, green chile powder provides more nuanced heat if available.
Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Contribute aromatic background notes without raw ingredient texture.
Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Balances and heightens all flavor dimensions.
For Creamy Enrichment:
Cannellini Beans: Adds protein, creates luxurious texture and subtle earthiness.
Frozen Corn: Introduces sweet crunch and vibrant color.
Low-Fat Cream Cheese: Provides silky smoothness and tangy undertone.
Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: Enhances creaminess with light, bright tang.
Toppings:
Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully, adds creamy richness.
Cilantro: Offers fresh, herbal brightness.
Tools to Make Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup
Slow Cooker: Essential for easy, hands-off cooking and perfect for this creamy soup.
Cutting Board: Needed for prepping ingredients like chicken or garnishes.
Sharp Knife: Critical for cutting chicken and chopping fresh cilantro.
Two Forks: Perfect for shredding cooked chicken easily.
Measuring Spoons: Help add precise amounts of spices.
Whisk: Great for blending cream cheese smoothly into soup.
Ladle: Helps serve soup neatly into individual bowls.
Medium Mixing Bowl: Useful for cooling and shredding chicken.
Green chile chicken enchilada soup delivers comfort in a hearty slow cooker creation packed with southwestern flavors. Creamy, spicy layers meld perfectly, offering home cooks an easy meal filled with rich, satisfying textures you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups (32 fl oz) low sodium chicken broth
15 oz (425 g) green enchilada sauce (Hatch brand recommended)
4 oz (113 g) low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk Greek yogurt can also be used)
2 (15 oz) cans (425 g each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz (227 g) diced green chiles
1 cup frozen corn
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder (green chile powder if possible)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Kosher salt, to taste
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cilantro
Avocado slices
Instructions
Chicken Preparation: Arrange whole chicken breasts in an even layer within the slow cooker, generously coating with garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Liquid Integration: Pour green chiles, enchilada sauce, and chicken broth over seasoned chicken, then gently incorporate cannellini beans and frozen corn throughout the mixture.
Cooking Process: Select cooking method – low for 6 hours, medium for 4 hours, or high for 3 hours, ensuring ingredients meld together seamlessly.
Chicken Transformation: After cooking, extract chicken breasts and rest for 5-7 minutes, then meticulously shred into delicate, tender pieces using two forks.
Creamy Fusion: Reintroduce shredded chicken to the slow cooker, whisking softened cream cheese until achieving a luxurious, smooth texture. Carefully fold in Greek yogurt to prevent separation.
Presentation: Ladle soup into serving vessels, adorning with melted Monterey Jack cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, and creamy avocado slices for a vibrant, appetizing finish.
Notes
Precision in Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with spices for maximum flavor depth, ensuring each bite bursts with robust southwestern taste.
Slow Cooking Flexibility: Adjust cooking time based on your schedule – low and slow develops richer flavors, while high heat works for quick meals.
Prevent Dairy Separation: Temper cream cheese at room temperature and fold gently to maintain smooth, creamy texture without unwanted curdling.
Strategic Shredding Technique: Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking, which helps meat fibers relax and makes shredding easier and more tender.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.