Enchilada Soup Creamy
Highlighted under: Old-Fashioned Comfort Eats
Ever find yourself craving something cozy but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? This Enchilada Soup Creamy is a lifesaver on busy nights, running about $10 to make for a family of four. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor that even the kids in my life can't resist. My niece declared it 'better than fast food', and honestly, I couldn't agree more.
Making this soup has become one of my go-to dinner options. I remember the first time I tried it; I had just a couple of chicken breasts and some pantry staples, and suddenly dinner was sorted!
The creaminess comes from adding a bit of sour cream toward the end, which gives the soup that extra comfort factor. Next time, I might sprinkle some cilantro on top for a fresh kick. I think it would add a nice touch to the overall taste.
The Best Part
- Only one pot to clean up after dinner
- You probably have everything you need at home
- Comes together in under an hour
- Great for freezing leftovers for later
Choosing Your Ingredients
The beauty of this Enchilada Soup Creamy is how flexible it is. If you're in a pinch and don’t have chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken or even black beans can work just fine. I've used some leftover grilled chicken before and it turned out great. Also, feel free to swap in fresh corn if you have it on hand; it adds a lovely crunch to the soup.
I like to use Huy Fong enchilada sauce because it has a nice kick without being overwhelming. If you're sensitive to heat, you can always check for milder options at the store. Just make sure to adjust the chili powder to your liking – I sometimes go a bit light on it if I know the kids are having some.
A Quick Note on Enchilada Soup Creamy
This soup comes together surprisingly quickly, usually under an hour. While that’s fantastic for busy weeknights, it can also be a comforting choice when you want something homemade without too much fuss. Just keep an eye on the pot when adding the heavy cream; I usually lower the heat a bit to avoid curdling.
And let’s chat about the cleanup. Since everything is cooked in one pot, the post-dinner chores are minimal. Trust me, on nights I'm particularly tired, this aspect really makes me love this recipe. When it's ready to serve, I like to add the cheese on top to melt a bit before serving – it’s these little things that make dinner that much nicer.
Ingredients
Gather these tasty ingredients:
Soup Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce (I prefer Huy Fong)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Ready to make the soup?
Instructions
Let’s make this soup step by step!
Sauté the Chicken
In a large pot, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it's no longer pink. Make sure to stir occasionally, so it cooks evenly.
Add the Veggies
Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens, which takes about 3-4 minutes. The garlic will start to smell fantastic, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Stir in the Rest
Now, stir in the black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, chicken broth, cumin, and chili powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it bubble away for about 15 minutes. If you want it thicker, let it cook a bit longer, but be careful not to let it burn on the bottom.
Creamy Touch
Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream. This is where the magic happens! Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
Serve it Up
Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top. You can serve this right away, but it’s also great if you let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Enjoy your creamy enchilada soup!
Pro Tips
- Feel free to add some chopped cilantro for garnish.
- If you like heat, toss in some diced jalapeños when cooking the onion.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch!
Scaling Enchilada Soup Creamy for a Crowd
If you’re planning to serve a larger group, this soup is easily doubled. Just be sure to use a bigger pot, as it can fill up quickly. When scaling up, I often increase the spices slightly to keep the taste balanced, but don’t go overboard. Testing as you go is a must! Allow for a bit more simmer time to meld the flavors together, which you can definitely do in a larger batch without worry.
Leftovers freeze quite well, so think about that if you’re cooking ahead. I usually portion out individual servings in freezer bags, which makes it easy to pull out a nutritious meal when life gets busy. Just let it thaw overnight and warm it up gently on the stove when you're ready to enjoy it again.
Enchilada Soup Creamy
Created by: The Globalbitesrecipes Team
Recipe Type: Old-Fashioned Comfort Eats
Skill Level: Beginner
Final Quantity: 4.0
What You'll Need
Soup Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce (I prefer Huy Fong)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
How-To Steps
In a large pot, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it's no longer pink. Make sure to stir occasionally, so it cooks evenly.
Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens, which takes about 3-4 minutes. The garlic will start to smell fantastic, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Now, stir in the black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, chicken broth, cumin, and chili powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it bubble away for about 15 minutes. If you want it thicker, let it cook a bit longer, but be careful not to let it burn on the bottom.
Reduce the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream. This is where the magic happens! Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top. You can serve this right away, but it’s also great if you let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Extra Tips
- Feel free to add some chopped cilantro for garnish.
- If you like heat, toss in some diced jalapeños when cooking the onion.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch!
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories (kcal): 360
- Total Fat (g): 20.5
- Saturated Fat (g): 10.3
- Cholesterol (mg): 90
- Sodium (mg): 900
- Total Carbohydrates (g): 27
- Dietary Fiber (g): 5.5
- Sugars (g): 3
- Protein (g): 24