Total Time: 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on method
Calories: 508 kcal
Servings: 7
What’s Inside Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup
For Protein Base:
Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Tender meat provides hearty protein, choose fresh cuts with minimal fat for best texture and flavor.
Chicken Broth: Foundational liquid that infuses rich flavor and helps tenderize chicken during cooking.
For Creamy Components:
Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts smoothly, adds creamy texture and mild tangy flavor to soup.
Cream Cheese: Contributes velvety richness and helps create luxurious consistency.
Half and Half: Adds silky depth and balances soup's overall creaminess.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Green Enchilada Sauce: Delivers signature southwestern zesty profile with mild green chile heat.
Green Salsa: Introduces bright, fresh chile notes and additional complexity to soup.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and elevating overall taste profile.
Optional Garnish Ingredients:
Avocado: Provides creamy, buttery freshness as topping.
Cilantro: Adds vibrant herbal brightness.
Green Onions: Offers mild onion crispness and visual appeal.
Sour Cream: Adds cool, tangy finishing touch.
Hot Sauce: Optional extra heat for spice lovers.
Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup – Essential Tools
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the soup base.
Large Stockpot: Alternative cooking method if not using slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Two Forks: Perfect for shredding cooked chicken.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients smoothly.
Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.
Ladle: Convenient for serving hot soup.
Sharp Knife: For chopping garnishes like cilantro and green onions.
How to Make Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup
Slow Cooker Method
Chicken Prep Base chicken and liquid ingredients into slow cooker. Let ingredients mingle and transform into a delicious soup over several hours.
Shredding Stage Remove chicken and break into soft, tender pieces using two forks. Return chicken back to slow cooker.
Creamy Transformation Add cheeses and cream components. Stir until everything melts into a smooth, luxurious texture.
Final Touches Season with salt and pepper. Optional garnishes like avocado, cilantro, green onions, and sour cream can elevate the soup's flavor profile.
Instant Pot Method
Pressure Cooking Quickly cook chicken using broth under pressure. Release pressure and shred chicken pieces.
Flavor Building Activate sauté mode and combine chicken with enchilada sauce and broth. Heat until ingredients are fully integrated.
Cheese Fusion Introduce cheese varieties and cream. Stir until everything transforms into a velvety consistency.
Serving Suggestions Adjust seasoning. Top with preferred garnishes for extra excitement.
Stovetop Method
Chicken Foundation Simmer chicken in broth until tender and easily shreddable.
Soup Assembly Return shredded chicken to pot. Add sauces, cheeses, and cream elements.
Warming Blend ingredients until heated through and cheese melts completely.
Personalized Finish Season to taste. Serve with additional sauces and toppings for a customized experience.
Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup – Flavor Tips
Dial up the soup's warmth by adding diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce for adventurous taste buds.
Replace chicken with shredded pork, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives like jackfruit for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
Substitute dairy cheese with vegan cheese alternatives or coconut cream to make the soup lactose-free and accommodate dietary restrictions.
Prepare the soup in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delicious meal.
Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup – Ways to Serve It
Cozy Comfort Bowl: Transform this soup into a hearty meal by pairing it with warm, fluffy cornbread or crispy tortilla chips for added texture and crunch.
Taco Night Twist: Serve the soup as a delightful centerpiece during a Mexican-themed dinner, complemented by fresh guacamole, zesty salsa, and a colorful salad on the side.
Protein Power Boost: Enhance the soup's nutritional value by adding extra protein like diced grilled chicken, black beans, or quinoa for a more filling and satisfying experience.
Spice Lover's Paradise: For those who enjoy heat, offer hot sauce, jalapeño slices, or crushed red pepper flakes as optional toppings to customize the soup's spice level to individual preferences.
Keeping Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup Fresh
Batch Cooking Bliss: Prepare a double batch of soup and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Portions stay delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftovers in sealed containers for 3-4 days. The soup's creamy texture might thicken when chilled, so add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to restore original consistency.
Smart Ingredient Prep: Shred chicken and chop garnishes in advance. Keep toppings like cilantro, green onions, and avocado separate in sealed containers to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze soup without dairy ingredients for best results. Add cheese and cream when reheating to maintain smooth, rich texture and prevent separation during thawing.
Mexican comfort soup Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup blends zesty flavors with hearty ingredients. Creamy broth and tender chicken create a satisfying meal for home cooks seeking authentic southwestern comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
2.5 lbs / 1.13 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
24 oz / 680 g chicken broth
2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 recipe green enchilada sauce or 28 oz / 794 g store-bought sauce
1 cup half and half or heavy cream
4 oz / 113 g cream cheese, cubed and softened
4 oz / 113 g green salsa (salsa verde)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation: Combine chicken, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth in a slow cooker, ensuring chicken is fully submerged.
Cooking: Slow cook chicken on low temperature for 6-8 hours until meat becomes tender and easily separable.
Shredding: Remove chicken from liquid and meticulously shred using two forks, creating uniform, delicate pieces.
Blending: Return shredded chicken to cooking liquid, then integrate monterey jack cheese, cream cheese, half and half, and green salsa, stirring until cheeses completely melt and create a velvety consistency.
Seasoning: Calibrate flavor profile by adding salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve desired balance.
Presentation: Ladle soup into serving bowls, strategically topping with fresh sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and a generous dollop of sour cream to enhance visual appeal and provide textural contrast.
Serving: Present soup immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and ensuring garnishes remain crisp and vibrant.
Notes
Chicken Selection Matters: Choose bone-in chicken breasts or thighs for deeper, richer flavor and more tender meat texture.
Slow Cooking Precision: Maintain low temperature during cooking to prevent chicken from becoming tough and preserve moisture.
Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheeses gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.
Garnish Freshness Factor: Add garnishes just before serving to maintain crisp textures and vibrant color palette.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.