I’m so excited to share this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup recipe with you today! It’s my go-to when life gets hectic but I still want something homemade and delicious. What makes this soup special? The tangy green enchilada sauce creates a flavor profile that’s unique and completely crave-worthy. Plus, your trusty crock pot does all the heavy lifting while you’re off handling your day. Imagine coming home to those mouthwatering aromas and a dinner that’s practically ready to serve. Want to know my secret ingredient?
Why You’ll Love this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
Why is this soup about to become your new favorite? I’m convinced it’s the perfect combination of convenience and flavor. You literally toss everything in your Crock Pot, walk away, and return to dinner that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
The green enchilada sauce creates this amazing tangy base that’s completely different from traditional red soup varieties. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—add more chilies for heat or pile on toppings like avocado and sour cream to make it your own. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you need comfort food without the fuss.
What Ingredients are in Green Enchilada Chicken Soup?
This delicious soup comes together with a handful of simple ingredients that create layers of Southwestern flavor.
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) green enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Feel free to customize your soup with optional toppings like fresh avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, crunchy tortilla strips, or chopped cilantro—these finishing touches really take it from good to can’t-stop-eating-it amazing.
How to Make this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
Step 1: Place Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Simply arrange your 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
No need to cut them up—they’ll get shredded later.
Step 2: Add All Ingredients
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, 15 oz can of green enchilada sauce, 4 oz can of diced green chilies, drained 15 oz can of white beans, 1 cup of corn, and your diced onion.
Then sprinkle in 1 teaspoon each of cumin and oregano, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Set the Cooking Time
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low heat for 6-7 hours.
The low, slow cooking process allows all those Southwestern flavors to meld together beautifully while tenderizing the chicken.
Using a premium slow cooker ensures even heat distribution for perfectly cooked soup every time.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once cooking time is complete, use two forks to shred the now-tender chicken right in the slow cooker.
The meat should pull apart easily—if it doesn’t, it might need a bit more time.
Step 5: Give It a Good Stir
After shredding, stir everything thoroughly to distribute the chicken evenly throughout the soup.
This helps every spoonful capture that perfect balance of ingredients.
Step 6: Prepare Your Toppings
While the soup is still hot, prepare any optional toppings you’d like to serve.
Slice some avocado, measure out sour cream, crush some tortilla chips, or chop fresh cilantro.
Step 7: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and invite everyone to customize their serving with their favorite toppings.
Those creamy, crunchy, and fresh elements really elevate this already delicious soup.
What to Serve with Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
This hearty soup works beautifully as a complete dinner on its own, but a few simple sides can turn it into a feast.
Try warm, buttery cornbread for sopping up those flavorful broth puddles—store-bought works fine, but homemade is even better. A simple side salad with lime vinaigrette adds a fresh contrast to the warm, spicy soup.
For drinks, an ice-cold Mexican beer or crisp margarita complements the Southwestern flavors perfectly, while a non-alcoholic horchata offers sweet relief from the heat.
And don’t forget those toppings! Beyond the suggested avocado and sour cream, a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco takes each bowl to the next level.
Green Enchilada Chicken Soup Substitutions and Variations
Make this soup your own with these simple swaps:
- Protein Options: Use shredded rotisserie chicken to save time, or swap in turkey breast, pork tenderloin, or 2 cans of drained black beans for a vegetarian version.
- Dairy-Free/Gluten-Free: This soup is naturally gluten-free! For dairy-free toppings, try coconut yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Heat Level: Mild palates? Use mild enchilada sauce. Heat seekers? Add a diced jalapeño or chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Bean Varieties: Navy beans, cannellini beans, or pinto beans all work beautifully in place of white beans.
- Seasonal Twists: Stir in diced zucchini during summer or butternut squash in fall (add during the last hour of cooking).
- Extra Toppings: Try crushed pepitas, lime crema (mix sour cream with lime zest), fresh radish slices, or a sprinkle of cotija cheese.
Leftovers and Storage for this Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
This soup gets even better overnight as the flavors meld together—perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags (lay flat for easy storage) for up to 3 months. Just leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwaving works too—start with 2 minutes, then stir and add 30-second intervals until heated through. The soup might thicken in storage, so add a splash of chicken broth if needed to restore its original consistency.
Final Thoughts
This Green Enchilada Chicken Soup brings Southwest flavors right to your kitchen with minimal effort but maximum satisfaction. The magic happens when those green enchilada flavors slowly infuse the tender chicken and hearty beans, creating something truly greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need dinner ready when you walk through the door, or for weekend gatherings when you’d rather spend time with guests than hovering over the stove. There’s something wonderfully reassuring about setting your slow cooker in the morning and knowing that comfort awaits at the end of a long day, with just enough kick to warm you from the inside out.
