Hot Chicken Enchilada Soup
A hearty, flavorful chicken enchilada soup with tender chicken, melted cheddar, and a spicy chili kick, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can beef broth ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) can chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 1 (6 3/4 oz.) can chunk style chicken ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. steak sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 3 cups cheddar cheese, grated ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut 6 tortillas into 1/2 inch strips and set aside.
- Cut remaining 6 tortillas into triangles and fry in hot oil until crisp; set aside.
- Saute onion and garlic in oil in a Dutch oven.
- Add green chilies, beef broth, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, chunk style chicken, water, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, and pepper; bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 1 hour.
- Add tortilla strips and grated cheddar cheese to the soup.
- Simmer, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with paprika and serve with chips.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce. If you're short on time, substitute the homemade tortilla strips with store-bought tortilla chips. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of chunk style chicken for added convenience. Adjust spices according to your taste preference, and feel free to experiment with different types of cheese for a unique flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Hot Chicken Enchilada Soup with a side of crispy tortilla chips for dipping. A dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro can enhance the flavors beautifully. This dish pairs wonderfully with Chicken Tortilla Soup or other Mexican recipes for a themed dinner. For an extra touch, consider serving it alongside a refreshing avocado salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the soup thickens too much, add a bit of water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture may change slightly after thawing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hot Chicken Enchilada Soup contains roughly 595 calories, with 18g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (36% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1511mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily modify the recipe to be vegetarian by replacing the chicken and beef broth with vegetable broth and omitting the chicken. You can add more beans and vegetables like corn or bell peppers to enhance the texture and flavor.
How can I make this soup milder for kids?
To make the soup milder, use mild green chilies instead of hot ones and reduce or eliminate the chili powder and cumin. You can also serve it with sour cream on top, which helps to balance the spices and make it more kid-friendly.
Can I use other types of protein in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chunk style chicken with shredded turkey or even black beans for a vegetarian protein option. Adjust the cooking time if using different proteins to ensure they are cooked through and tender.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).