Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup: An Easy One-Pot Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Imagine a hearty, flavor-packed meal that comes together in mere minutes, perfect for those hectic weeknights. Our Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is exactly that – a dream come true for anyone craving a satisfying dinner without the fuss. This delightful one-pot wonder is bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors, featuring tender chicken, wholesome beans, sweet corn, and a rich, creamy broth infused with savory enchilada sauce and spices. It’s a deliciously easy stovetop dinner that’s ready in about 15 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy families and meal prep enthusiasts alike.

One of the best parts about this creamy chicken enchilada soup recipe is its versatility and convenience. It shines brightest when you use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, transforming a simple ingredient into a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort. Just chop or shred your chicken, gather your pantry staples, and you’re halfway to a fantastic dinner. Serve this flavorful soup with a fresh green salad, and you’ll have a balanced, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal on the table in no time. It’s truly a weeknight lifesaver!

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I absolutely adore recipes that don’t demand extensive pre-cooking or complicated steps. Meals that simplify dinner without sacrificing flavor are always a win in my kitchen. Beyond this fantastic creamy chicken enchilada soup, some of my other top picks for quick and easy dinners include the savory Mexican Spaghetti, the comforting Cheesy Tuna Casserole, and the hearty Southwestern Hamburger Skillet. These dishes are designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss, perfect for your busiest days. And if you’re a fan of using store-bought rotisserie chicken to speed things up, be sure to explore my collection of 10 easy recipes with rotisserie chicken for fast weeknight meals for even more convenient dinner inspiration!

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Essential Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Creating this incredibly flavorful and easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup relies on a combination of pantry staples and fresh chicken. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the soup’s rich texture and distinct Tex-Mex profile. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:

• **Milk:** This is key for achieving that luscious, creamy base. You can use any type of milk you prefer, from whole milk for extra richness to a lighter alternative.
• **Canned Corn:** Adds a touch of sweetness and texture. Be sure to drain it well before adding to the soup.
• **Canned Black Beans:** Provides hearty protein and a classic Southwestern flavor. Always drain and rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content and improve flavor.
• **Canned Diced Tomatoes:** These contribute a bright, tangy acidity and additional texture, balancing the creaminess of the soup.
• **Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup:** This is our secret weapon for an effortlessly creamy and savory base, delivering depth of flavor and body.
• **Red Enchilada Sauce:** The star of the show, infusing the soup with its signature enchilada flavor. Choose your favorite brand and spice level.
• **Cooked Chicken (chopped or shredded):** The convenience of pre-cooked chicken, especially rotisserie chicken, makes this soup incredibly fast. Chicken breast or thighs work equally well, just ensure it’s fully cooked.
• **Cumin:** A warm, earthy spice that is essential for authentic Tex-Mex flavor.
• **Garlic Salt:** A simple way to add both garlic flavor and seasoning. Adjust to your taste preferences.
• **Salt:** Basic seasoning to enhance all the flavors in the soup.
• **Pepper:** Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and aroma.
• **Optional Garnishes:** These elevate the soup from simple to spectacular! Consider shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese for melty goodness, fresh cilantro for brightness, sliced green onions for a mild oniony bite, jalapeños for heat, a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema for extra creaminess, and of course, crispy tortilla strips or chips for satisfying crunch.

For precise measurements of each ingredient, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.

Customize Your Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

One of the most delightful aspects of this Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe is how incredibly forgiving and adaptable it is. It’s a fantastic base for experimentation, allowing you to easily adjust flavors and ingredients to suit your personal preferences or what you have on hand. Feel free to get creative and truly make this soup your own:

• **Switch Out the Beans:** While black beans are traditional and delicious, don’t limit yourself! You could easily swap them for pinto beans for a slightly different texture and flavor, or even a can of cannellini beans for a milder, creamier touch.
• **Swap to Cream of Chicken Soup:** If you prefer a more pronounced chicken flavor or simply don’t have cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup works perfectly as a substitute. It will still provide that essential creamy body and savory depth.
• **Use Green Enchilada Sauce:** For a different flavor profile, try using green enchilada sauce instead of red. This will give your soup a brighter, tangier, and often milder (depending on the brand) taste, transforming it into a “Creamy Chicken Suiza Soup” experience.
• **Add Broth for a Thinner Consistency:** If you prefer a slightly thinner soup, or wish to cut down on dairy, you can easily use chicken broth (or even vegetable broth for a vegetarian version) in place of some or all of the milk. Start with half a cup of broth and add more until you reach your desired consistency.

For an extra layer of smoky depth and complexity, one of my absolute favorite enhancements is to use fire-roasted versions of the corn and diced tomatoes. Fire-roasted corn can usually be found in the freezer aisle with other frozen vegetables, while fire-roasted diced tomatoes are typically located alongside regular canned tomato products. These small changes can significantly boost the overall flavor of your creamy chicken enchilada soup, adding a gourmet touch without any extra effort.

Dietary Adaptations: Enjoying Enchilada Soup Your Way

This Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is already incredibly versatile, and with a few simple adjustments, it can easily accommodate various dietary needs. Everyone deserves to enjoy a delicious bowl of this comforting soup!

Vegetarian Version: To transform this into a delightful vegetarian meal, simply omit the chicken entirely. You can boost the protein and heartiness by adding an extra can of rinsed cannellini beans, or another type of bean you prefer, like kidney or great northern beans. For those who enjoy plant-based meat alternatives, shredded plant-based chicken substitutes can also be stirred in for a similar texture and mouthfeel.

Gluten-Free Version: Many “cream of” soups, including cream of mushroom, often contain wheat flour as a thickener, meaning they are not gluten-free. To make this soup safe for a gluten-free diet, you have a couple of excellent options:

• **Choose a Certified Gluten-Free Brand:** Fortunately, many brands now offer certified gluten-free versions of condensed cream of mushroom soup. Always double-check the label to ensure it meets your dietary requirements.
• **Make Your Own Gluten-Free Cream Soup:** While it adds a few extra minutes to your cooking time, making your own “cream of” soup base from scratch gives you full control over the ingredients. This recipe for gluten-free cream of chicken soup (which can easily be adapted by using vegetable broth and mushroom powder for a cream of mushroom substitute) looks like a fantastic and reliable option. This homemade approach ensures a truly gluten-free and delicious creamy enchilada soup.

Expert Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

While this Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe is straightforward, a few tips can help you achieve perfect results every time and adapt it to your preferences:

• **Slow Cooker Adaptation:** Don’t have time for the stovetop? This recipe adapts beautifully to a slow cooker! Simply combine all the main ingredients (everything except the garnishes) in your crockpot. Stir well to ensure everything is mixed, then cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until heated through and bubbling gently. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to deepen even further, making for an incredibly rich and satisfying meal.
• **Adjust Consistency:** If you find the soup is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out by stirring in a little extra milk or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, a quick trick is to dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in a small amount of cold water, then stir this slurry into the simmering soup and cook for another minute or two until it thickens.
• **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, or other spices as needed. Different brands of enchilada sauce or cream of mushroom soup can vary in sodium content, so a final taste test is crucial for perfect seasoning.
• **Spice It Up:** If you love heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or some finely diced fresh jalapeños or serrano peppers to the pot while simmering.

Perfect Pairings for Your Enchilada Soup

With its rich combination of savory chicken, wholesome vegetables, and creamy broth, Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is incredibly satisfying and can easily stand alone as a complete meal. The added crunch from tortilla strips and the richness of cheese already make it quite filling. However, if you’re looking to round out your meal or add a fresh element, here are some delicious side dish suggestions:

• **Fresh Salad:** A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the soup’s richness.
• **Avocado Slices or Guacamole:** Creamy avocado adds a healthy fat and cooling element, either sliced on top as a garnish or served as a side.
• **Cornbread:** A warm slice of cornbread or cornbread muffins are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious soup.
• **Rice:** A simple side of white or brown rice can make the meal even heartier, especially if you’re feeding a very hungry crowd.
• **Mexican Street Corn (Elote):** For a truly authentic Tex-Mex experience, serve with a side of grilled or roasted Mexican street corn.
• **Chips and Salsa/Queso:** A bowl of tortilla chips with fresh salsa or a warm queso dip can be a fun appetizer or side.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this creamy chicken enchilada soup is guaranteed to be a hit!

Recipe Card

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup (15-Minute Meal)

5 from 1 vote

Perfectly seasoned and brimming with flavor, this one-pot Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is your go-to for a quick, satisfying, and easy dinner on a busy day. Ideal for using leftover rotisserie chicken, this delicious soup comes together in just 15 minutes. Serve it with a fresh salad for a healthy and complete meal that the whole family will love.

AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann

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Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Dish, Soup

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Servings 5 servings

Calories 464

Ingredients

  

• 15 ounces can whole kernel corn
• 15 ounces can black beans
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 cups cooked chicken
• 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
• 10.75 ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• tortilla chips or strips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional additional garnishes: cilantro, green onions, sliced jalapeños, and sour cream, not included in nutrition data

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Instructions

• Drain 15 ounces can whole kernel corn. Drain and rinse 15 ounces can black beans.
• Chop or shred 2 cups cooked chicken.
• Combine chicken, corn, beans, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 10 ounces red enchilada sauce, 10.75 ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1½ cups milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste in a large soup pot and mix well.
• Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soup reaches a simmer.
• Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Serve with tortilla chips or strips and top with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Optional additional garnishes: cilantro, green onions, sliced jalapeños, and sour cream

Notes

This Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup can easily be adapted for the crockpot. Simply place all of the ingredients, excluding the garnishes, directly into your slow cooker instead of a soup pot. Stir well to combine everything, then cook on low for 4-6 hours until the soup is thoroughly heated through and the flavors have melded.

To make a vegetarian version of this soup, you can either completely omit the chicken or substitute it with an additional can of rinsed cannellini beans (or any other type of bean you prefer, such as kidney or great northern beans) to maintain the heartiness.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 464 calCarbohydrates: 47 gProtein: 34 gFat: 17 gSodium: 2175 mgFiber: 10 gSugar: 13 gNet Carbohydrates: 37 g

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