Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Recipe

Cozy Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Recipe for Zesty Comfort

Green enchiladas chicken soup elevates ordinary weeknight dinners into a vibrant culinary adventure that captures the essence of Mexican comfort food.

Hearty ingredients merge together, creating a symphonic blend of robust flavors and textures that dance across your palate.

Rich, creamy broth carries deep verde undertones, promising a tantalizing experience with each spoonful.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among velvety green sauce, delivering a harmonious balance of spice and warmth.

Subtle hints of roasted chiles and fresh herbs elevate this soup beyond standard recipe expectations.

Fragrant aromatics whisper stories of traditional kitchen wisdom, inviting you to savor each carefully crafted bite.

Complex yet approachable, this soup represents a perfect marriage of rustic techniques and contemporary taste profiles.

Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Everyone Loves

  • Unpack Flavor Explosions: This green enchilada chicken soup delivers a zesty punch with layers of green enchilada sauce, green salsa, and perfectly seasoned shredded chicken that dance together in every spoonful.
  • Creamy Comfort Perfection: The combination of monterey jack and cream cheese creates an incredibly smooth, rich texture that transforms this soup from simple to spectacular, making it a ultimate comfort food experience.
  • Flexible Cooking Convenience: Whether you prefer slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop methods, this recipe adapts seamlessly to your kitchen setup, ensuring delicious results no matter your cooking style or time constraints.
  • Quick Customization Joy: Topped with fresh avocado, cilantro, green onions, and sour cream, this soup becomes a personalized meal that allows everyone to add their favorite garnishes and make it uniquely their own.

Ingredient List for Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides the main protein for the hearty soup, choose fresh and boneless for easy shredding.
Liquid Components:
  • Chicken Broth: Rich base that adds depth and moisture to the soup, opt for low-sodium varieties for better flavor control.
  • Green Enchilada Sauce: Signature flavor component that brings tangy and spicy Mexican-inspired taste.
  • Green Salsa: Adds extra zesty kick and authentic green chile flavor to the soup.
  • Half and Half: Creates creamy texture and smooths out the soup's consistency.
Cheese and Dairy Blends:
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild, melty cheese that provides creamy richness, choose freshly shredded for best melting.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds luxurious smoothness and helps thicken the soup's texture.
Optional Garnish:
  • Avocado, Cilantro, Green Onions, Sour Cream: Fresh toppings that enhance flavor and add visual appeal.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.
  • Hot Sauce: Optional extra spice for heat lovers.

How to Cook Chicken Soup with Enchilada Flavors

Step 1: Prepare The Chicken

Choose your cooking method:

Slow Cooker Method:
  • Place chicken in slow cooker
  • Pour green enchilada sauce and chicken broth
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours
Instant Pot Method:
  • Add chicken and 1 cup chicken broth
  • Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes
  • Quick release after 10 minutes
Stovetop Method:
  • Simmer chicken in chicken broth
  • Cook until chicken is tender and easily shredded

Step 2: Shred The Chicken

Remove chicken from cooking liquid

Use two forks to pull chicken apart into shredded pieces

Step 3: Create Creamy Soup Base

Return shredded chicken to cooking vessel

Add:
  • Monterey jack cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Half and half
  • Green salsa

Stir until cheeses melt completely and soup becomes creamy

Step 4: Season And Finish

Taste the soup

Add salt and pepper as needed

Adjust seasoning to personal preference

Step 5: Serve And Garnish

Ladle soup into bowls

Top with optional garnishes:
  • Sliced avocado
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sliced green onions
  • Dollop of sour cream

Tips for Creamy, Spicy Enchilada Soup

  • Choose Quality Chicken: Select bone-in chicken breasts or thighs for richer, more tender meat that shreds perfectly and adds deeper flavor to the soup.
  • Control Cheese Melting: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy texture throughout the soup.
  • Adjust Spice Levels: Customize heat by selecting mild or spicy green enchilada sauce, and add extra green salsa for more intense flavor complexity.
  • Optimize Slow Cooker Technique: Layer ingredients strategically and avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture.
  • Enhance Toppings: Experiment with fresh garnishes like crispy tortilla strips, pickled jalapeños, or queso fresco to elevate the soup's overall taste and presentation.

Best Storage and Reheating for Soup Leftovers

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.

Great Pairings for Enchiladas Soup

  • Savor Southwestern Sips: Pair this green enchilada chicken soup with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which cuts through the creamy richness and complements the zesty green sauce flavors.
  • Craft Beer Companion: Choose a hoppy pale ale or wheat beer with citrus notes to enhance the soup's tangy green salsa and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture.
  • Wine Lover's Match: Select a bright, acidic white wine such as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay to balance the soup's richness and highlight its spicy undertones.
  • Margarita Magic: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice and a touch of agave nectar to echo the soup's Mexican-inspired flavors and add a vibrant, zesty kick to your meal.

Alternate Versions of Chicken Enchilada Soup

  • Spicy Southwest Green Chicken Soup: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat level and create a more intense flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Green Enchilada Soup: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or white beans, using vegetable broth to maintain the creamy texture and green sauce base.
  • Cilantro Lime Green Enchilada Soup: Incorporate fresh lime juice and extra chopped cilantro during the final stirring to bring a bright, zesty dimension to the soup's rich flavors.
  • Poblano Green Chicken Soup: Roast and chop poblano peppers to mix into the soup, adding a deeper, slightly smoky undertone to the classic green enchilada soup recipe.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Recipe

Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Mexican green enchiladas chicken soup delivers comfort in a bowl with rich, tangy flavors from roasted green chiles and tender shredded chicken. Creamy broth and zesty spices create a hearty meal that warms souls and satisfies hunger with authentic southwestern charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 24 ounces (680 grams) chicken broth
  • 1 recipe green enchilada sauce or 28 ounces (794 grams) store-bought sauce

Dairy and Cream Ingredients:

  • 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, cubed and softened

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) green salsa (salsa verde)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Select chicken breasts or thighs and place them in a large cooking vessel with green enchilada sauce and chicken broth.
  2. Slow cook the chicken until tender and easily shreddable, approximately 6-8 hours on low temperature.
  3. Carefully extract the cooked chicken and use two forks to pull apart into fine, uniform shreds.
  4. Return the shredded chicken back to the cooking liquid, maintaining the temperature and consistency.
  5. Incorporate monterey jack cheese, cream cheese, half and half, and green salsa into the mixture.
  6. Gently stir the ingredients until the cheeses completely dissolve, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
  7. Taste the soup and delicately adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
  8. Transfer the hot soup into serving bowls, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
  9. Optional: Garnish with fresh sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for added complexity and visual appeal.
  10. Serve immediately while the soup remains hot and the garnishes are fresh and vibrant.

Notes

  • Versatile Cooking Methods: Easily prepare this soup using a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, making it adaptable to your kitchen setup and time constraints.
  • Creamy Cheese Blend: The combination of monterey jack, cream cheese, and half and half creates a luxuriously smooth and rich texture that elevates the soup’s flavor profile.
  • Tender Chicken Technique: Cooking chicken until it shreds easily ensures maximum tenderness and allows the meat to absorb the delicious green enchilada sauce.
  • Flavor Customization: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and personalize your soup with optional toppings like avocado, cilantro, green onions, and sour cream.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup can be prepared in advance and reheated, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknight dinners.
  • Spice Level Control: The green enchilada sauce and green salsa provide a mild to moderate heat that can be easily adjusted by choosing milder or spicier versions of these ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 558
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 924 mg
  • Fat: 35 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 45 g
  • Cholesterol: 158 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star