Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

This Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe combines the convenience of rotisserie chicken with a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and a velvety base of cream cheese. In just a few simple steps, and in less than 30-minutes, you can create a flavorful, comforting soup your entire family will love. Plus, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, or chilly evenings when you crave something hearty and satisfying.

USING ROTISSERIE CHICKEN TO MAKE SOUP

Utilizing rotisserie chicken in soup recipes like this low-carb Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup offers a multitude of advantages, primarily revolving around convenience and time-saving benefits. Rotisserie chicken is pre-cooked, seasoned, and readily available at most grocery stores, making it a go-to ingredient for quick and easy meals. When used in soups or casseroles, it shreds effortlessly, adding a hearty texture and a depth of flavor to the dish.

Substituting with Cooked Chicken

While rotisserie chicken is convenient, cooking your own chicken allows for greater control over the cooking process and flavor profile. When you cook chicken at home, you can customize the seasoning to compliment the specific recipe you’re preparing.

To substitute with cooked chicken, you can either roast, grill, boil, or even use a slow cooker. Roasting or grilling adds a lovely smokiness, similar to the rotisserie chicken, while boiling in a seasoned broth keeps the meat moist and flavorful. Once cooked, allow the chicken to cool slightly before shredding or chopping it into bite-sized pieces.

Ultimately, the choice between rotisserie chicken and cooking your own chicken depends on your time constraints and preferences. Both options will yield a delicious Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup.

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS ENCHILADA SOUP RECIPE

• Quick and Easy: Utilize rotisserie chicken for a hassle-free meal preparation. It’s a hearty soup that can be on your dinner tables in 30-minutes!
• Flavor-Packed: The combination of spices, tomatoes, and creamy base creates a burst of flavors in every spoonful.
• Customizable: Adjust the spice level by controlling the amount of jalapeños and chili powder, making it suitable for everyone’s taste.
• Nutrient-Rich: Packed with veggies, protein, and wholesome ingredients, it’s a balanced meal on its own.

TIPS ON MAKING THE BEST CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

• Balance the Heat: Adjust the spiciness to your preference. If you enjoy a milder soup, remove the seeds and membranes from jalapeños, or leave them out. For extra heat, leave them in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Sauté Vegetables Well: Sautéing the carrots, onions, celery, and jalapeños before adding liquids enhances their natural sweetness. This step builds a robust foundation for your soup’s flavor.
• Layer Flavors: Sautéing the spices briefly with vegetables intensifies their flavors.
• Be Mindful of Cream Cheese: Add cream cheese in small chunks and stir continuously until fully melted. This prevents clumps and ensures a velvety texture.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Squeeze fresh lime juice just before serving. The acidity brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the soup.

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

1. Prepare the Base:
   • In a large pot, heat the oil and sauté the carrots, jalapeños, onions, and celery until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
   • Add Rotel tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and bay leaves. Stir well.
2. Simmer and Blend:
   • Pour in chicken stock and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
   • Remove and discard the bay leaves
3. Creamy Addition:
   • Return the soup to the pot over low heat. Add cream cheese.
   • Blend with an immersion blender or stand-up blender until smooth and creamy.
4. Finishing:
   • Taste for salt.
   • Add the corn, black beans and shredded chicken. Simmer on low for another 5 minutes to heat through.
   • Squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup and mix well.
5. Serve and Garnish:
   • Ladle the soup into bowls.
   • Garnish with fresh sliced jalapeños, avocado slices, lime wedges, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
   • Serve hot

HOW TO SERVE AND STORE CREAMY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

Transform this easy, Homemade Chicken Enchilada Soup into a well-rounded, satisfying meal with these optional pairings:

• Cheese quesadillas
• Cornbread or warm tortillas
• Side salad
• Mexican rice

To store leftovers:

1. Cool Down: Allow this comforting chicken soup to cool to room temperature before storing it.
2. Airtight Container: Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Divide the soup into smaller portions if you plan to freeze it.
3. Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the soup within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for 3-4 days.
4. Freezing: If you want to store this creamy enchilada soup for a longer period, freezing is the best option. Cream-based soups can be frozen, but they might undergo a slight texture change upon thawing. To freeze, ensure the soup has cooled completely. Seal it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, leaving some space for expansion. For better results, remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.
5. Thawing and Reheating: Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid high heat to prevent the soup from curdling.

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GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

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