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+ servings

California-Style Chicken Enchilada Soup

A creamy, hearty chicken enchilada soup made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, packed with bold flavors and simple pantry staples.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Quick Meals, Soup
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Soup
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil preferably California-grown
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 10 ounces red enchilada sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies such as Rotel
  • 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces whole kernel corn drained
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco or Cholula
  • 4 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast about 8 ounces
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded from a block
  • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded from a block

Method
 

Prep
  1. In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings (chili powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne) and set aside. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften. Shred both cheeses from a block and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
  1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced jalapeno. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Simmer Soup
  1. Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the pot along with the enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, hot sauce, chicken broth, and the prepared seasoning mix. Stir to combine.
Cook Chicken
  1. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Add Cheeses
  1. Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until fully incorporated and smooth. Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
Season and Serve
  1. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce if desired. Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with optional toppings like sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, or tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 22gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6g

Notes

For a quick way to soften cream cheese, cube it and place in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave on low power for 15 to 20 seconds. Shred cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded—it melts much smoother and tastes better. If you want more heat, substitute the Monterey Jack with a spicy cheese like habanero cheddar. To make this in a slow cooker, add all ingredients except the corn, black beans, and cheeses; cook on low for 6 hours, then shred the chicken, stir in the corn, beans, and cheeses, and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently to avoid curdling. For extra flavor, use bone-in chicken thighs and simmer longer, then remove bones before shredding.

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