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Chicken Enchilada Soup has chunks of chicken combined in a creamy, spicy enchilada soup base. Everything you love about chicken enchiladas – in soup form!
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It’s been cool the past few days here in Eastern North Carolina and I have been craving this Chicken Enchilada Soup soooo bad. I wanted to take advantage of the cooler weather before Mother Nature decides to throw a 70-degree curveball into the forecast (predicted later this week!!).
This soup is reminiscent of the Chicken Enchilada Soup you’ll find at Chili’s. Depending on how hot (or mild) you like it, buy the enchilada sauce to fit your family’s tastes. I keep it on the mild side so my family will eat it! This is nice served with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkling of cilantro, maybe a few crushed tortilla chips, and some cornbread on the side.
Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- chili powder
- salt
- ground black pepper
- vegetable oil
- small onion
- garlic
- chicken broth
- masa harina (harina de maiz or maseca)
- water or additional chicken broth
- enchilada sauce
- salt
- powder
- ground cumin
- Cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and/or cooked tortilla strips – for garnish (optional)
How to make Chicken Enchilada Soup
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook chicken in oil with 1/2 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper until well browned on all sides. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Cook onion and garlic in the same pan until onions are translucent. Add the chicken broth.
- In a large bowl, whisk masa harina and 2 cups of water or broth until well blended. Pour into the pot with the remaining 1 cup of water or broth, enchilada sauce, salt, chili powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil.
- Add the chicken and cheese to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer 25-30 minutes or until soup is slightly thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Serve hot!
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Chicken Enchilada Soup – Questions and Answers
What is masa harina? Where can I find it?
You’ll find the masa harina (aka – harina de maiz or maseca) in the ethnic section of your grocery store. It is typically used to make tortillas, tamales, and other Mexican dishes. It is what gives this soup the “corn tortilla” taste you get in regular enchiladas.
Can I freeze Chicken Enchilada Soup?
Yes! Allow soup to cool and then place in freezer-safe containers. To reheat, that soup completely and reheat on the stovetop or the microwave until warmed through.
What goes with/What to serve with Chicken Enchilada Soup?
Some of my favorites – chips and salsa, cornbread, and jalapeno poppers. A nice fresh salad would be a great accompaniment, too!
Can I add corn or beans to this soup?
One of the things I love about this soup recipe is that I can easily add a few ingredients for a simple twist! Corn and black beans are two of my favorite add-ins. Feel free to try things you and your family like!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Chicken Enchilada Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 cup masa harina, harina de maiz or maseca
- 3 cups water or additional chicken broth, divided
- 1 can enchilada sauce, 10 oz.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and/or cooked tortilla strips – for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook chicken in oil with 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until well browned on all sides. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Cook onion and garlic in the same pan until onions are translucent. Add the chicken broth.
- In a large bowl, whisk masa harina and 2 cups of water or broth until well blended. Pour into the pot with the remaining 1 cup of water or broth, enchilada sauce, salt, chili powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil.
- Add the chicken and cheese to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer 25-30 minutes or until soup is slightly thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Serve hot!
Notes
- Allow soup to cool and then place in freezer-safe containers. To reheat, that soup completely and reheat on the stovetop or the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on June 22, 2012. Republished on January 7, 2020.
Hi Jamie,
Congratulations on receiving the Versatile Blogger Award and I'm honored that you have nominated my blog. I'm with you and all the others who are so honored and surprised that there are so many out there in blogsphere who actually read our blogs and take the time to comment. It's so terrific that we can share our thoughts and recipes with others and give each other encouragement. It's all we need to keep us going, sharing and, in a way, we're also having fun.
Thank you again Jamie, and I continue to look forward to sharing with you and all our readers.
Joanne
Thank you Joanne and you are so deserving! You are so right about this community – it is great 🙂
Congrats on the nomination and thanks for nominating me! I am so grateful people actually take time to to read about my crazy life and then come back for more …so thank you! I will visit the other blogs then get to thinking about who I will nominate.
You are so welcome, Connie! I still cannot wrap my head around this idea that people actually read what you write! I love this foodie community – such wonderful people 🙂
Congratulations on your award! Yes, it is so much fun to get awards:) Bloggy Love rocks. And I love getting to know you better. Chicken Enchilada Soup! A kindred spirit you are! Remember Mexican Food is one of the food groups that we almost east daily:) This recipes looks great. Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays!
You are so kind, Evelyn! Thank you! 🙂
Congratulations Jamie!! I thought for sure one of you random facts would have to do with your feet.
HA! Thank you, Angie 🙂 Anyone who "knows" me, knows I have a foot thing going on! LOL
what a yummy recipe! we like soup here too…and I am always looking to try a new variation…thanks!!
congrats on your award! I live in Hershey…so peanut butter cups are a staple food in our house. frozen.
Thank you! I would have to move …. far away …. if I lived near Hershey – the temptation would be too great! I've always wanted to visit though!
Thank you so much for the award and congratulations too!
You are so welcome and thank you, too! Have a great weekend 🙂
My father always told me my head was full of useless knowledge. I actually love housing all the crazy trivia in my brain. Congrats on the nomination. Love your blog. Am getting ready to try your salisbury steak tonight for dinner. Wish me luck.
I am so glad I'm not the only one who has useless knowledge 🙂 I was always told I should try out for Jeopardy! LOL Thank you so much for your kind words, too … Please drop back by and let me know how dinner went!
Congrats on the reward and thank you for passing it on to me! Being a newbie I feel very privileged to have received this award! Thanks Jamie!
Now I need to save your recipe to try. I've never made this soup before but I do like to order it from time to time. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you and you're welcome! I'm pretty new myself, so I kind of know how you feel 🙂
It's super easy and pretty close to Chili's!
Thank you so much for noticing my little blog. I feel so honoured and you have seriously made my day, perhaps my week. 🙂
I have to wholeheartedly agree with the frozen peanut butter cups. That's how I prefer them as well. I think my love comes from freezing Halloween candy so I won't eat, but then eating it. That's how I discovered the frozen pb cups, lol.
And that soup looks great – reminding me I haven't yet had breakfast. MM.
You are so welcome, Terry!
I eat PB Cups unfrozen sometimes … but it's just not the same! I use to hide them in the freezer …. thinking people wouldn't find my stash … but they did. I will neither confirm nor deny that I now hide them in an empty coffee can in the freezer – hahahaha! 🙂
Jamie, congratulations on your award, it is well deserved! Thank you so much for honoring me with the nomination, I'm amazed that people want to look at my blog, but it makes me very happy that my recipes are being enjoyed!
Thank you Anita and you are so deserving yourself! 🙂 It really is amazing to think people notice, isn't it? I hope you have a great weekend!