Welcome to the ultimate comfort food experience with our rich and hearty **Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup**! This flavorful, family-favorite recipe is packed with tender shredded chicken and vibrant Mexican-inspired ingredients, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Imagine coming home to the aroma of a delicious dinner that practically cooks itself. That’s the magic of this easy slow cooker recipe – a true “set it and forget it” solution that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Effortless Flavor: Your Guide to the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to chase away the chill, especially during those never-ending winter months. While we’re all counting down the days to spring and warmer weather, one undeniable upside of the colder seasons is the perfect excuse to indulge in satisfying comfort foods. Hearty soups, stews, and casseroles have a unique way of filling you up and warming you from the inside out. Today, we’re sharing our ultimate **Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe**, a dish that embodies everything wonderful about comfort food. It’s rich, incredibly hearty, and bursting with authentic flavors that will make your taste buds sing, all while being deceptively simple to prepare.
This recipe stands out not only for its incredible taste but also for its unparalleled convenience. In our busy lives, finding delicious meals that don’t require hours of active cooking is a game-changer. The slow cooker becomes your culinary assistant, transforming simple ingredients into a complex and deeply satisfying soup with very little hands-on time. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve spent hours simmering and perfecting, even though your crockpot did all the heavy lifting. If you’re a fan of warming soups, especially in the colder months, be sure to explore our extensive list of Crock Pot Soup recipes! You’ll find everything from our beloved Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe, perfect for utilizing holiday leftovers, to a variety of crockpot chili recipes for a fun, spicy twist. This time of year truly calls for a piping hot bowl of deliciousness!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Unbeatable Convenience: The slow cooker allows for hands-off cooking, perfect for busy weeknights. Prep it in the morning, and dinner is ready when you are!
- Hearty & Filling: Packed with chicken, beans, corn, and savory broth, this soup is a complete meal that will satisfy even the hungriest family members.
- Rich Enchilada Flavor: Authentic spices, tomato sauce, and a hint of chipotle create that classic enchilada taste everyone craves, but in a comforting soup form.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level, add your favorite vegetables, or experiment with different toppings to make it your own.
- Family Favorite: This soup is consistently a hit with both adults and children, making it a reliable choice for any dinner rotation.
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Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Chicken Enchilada Soup
Crafting the perfect **Homemade Chicken Enchilada Soup** starts with a selection of fresh, flavorful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich, layered taste profile that makes this soup so incredibly satisfying. You’ll find a blend of everyday staples and Mexican-inspired ingredients that come together seamlessly in your slow cooker.
- Olive oil: The base for sautéing our aromatics, adding a touch of richness.
- Onion & Garlic: The foundational aromatics that provide depth and savory notes. Freshly chopped onion and minced garlic are key for vibrant flavor.
- Chicken broth: The liquid base that infuses all the flavors and keeps the soup moist and tender. Opt for low-sodium to control salt levels.
- Tomato sauce: Contributes to the classic enchilada sauce taste, adding tanginess and body.
- Chipotle chile in adobo sauce: This is a secret weapon for authentic Mexican flavor. The chipotle provides a smoky heat, while the adobo sauce adds a tangy, slightly sweet depth. You can adjust the amount to control the spice level.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro brightens the soup with its distinctive herbaceous flavor. It’s essential for that fresh finish.
- Black beans: Canned black beans, rinsed thoroughly, add protein, fiber, and a wonderful texture.
- Petite diced tomatoes: These smaller diced tomatoes blend seamlessly into the soup, providing a natural sweetness and acidity without large chunks.
- Frozen corn: Sweet corn kernels add a pop of color, sweetness, and a pleasant chewiness.
- Cumin & Dried oregano: These classic spices are the backbone of enchilada flavor, providing warmth and an earthy aroma.
- Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook directly in the soup, absorbing all the delicious flavors before being easily shredded.
- Scallions: Fresh scallions (green onions) are fantastic as a garnish, adding a mild oniony bite and a splash of color.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds a creamy, salty finish, melting beautifully into each spoonful.
Adaptations & Flavor Boosters: This is one of those versatile **Chicken Enchilada Soup** recipes you can truly make your own. Want more of a kick? Switch out regular diced tomatoes for a can of spicy diced tomatoes, or add an extra teaspoon of chili powder. For a different texture and flavor, pinto beans can be substituted for black beans. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite Mexican spices, such as a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper for an extra layer of heat. A squeeze of lime juice right before serving can also enhance the fresh flavors.
Delicious Toppings for Your Enchilada Soup: The right toppings can elevate your soup from great to extraordinary. Get creative and customize each bowl to your liking! Classic options include crispy tortilla chips (or strips), a dollop of cooling sour cream, plenty of shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend work beautifully), diced avocados for a creamy contrast, or extra fresh cilantro and chopped scallions for a vibrant finish. Other fantastic ideas include a spoonful of salsa, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, or even a few pickled jalapeño slices for an extra zing.
Recommended Equipment for Your Slow Cooker Success
Having the right tools can make all the difference in simplifying your cooking process and ensuring perfect results every time. For this **Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup**, a few key kitchen items will be incredibly helpful:
- Vegetable Chopper: This is a huge time-saver for quickly chopping onions, garlic, and other vegetables. It significantly reduces prep time, getting you to the “set it and forget it” stage even faster.
- Sauce Pan: You’ll need a medium saucepan to briefly cook the onions and garlic before adding them to the crockpot. This step helps to soften the aromatics and build a deeper flavor foundation for your soup.
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): This is, of course, the star of the show! We highly recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete. This feature is a lifesaver, ensuring your dinner cooks perfectly without the stress of overcooking if you’re away or busy. It gives you peace of mind that your meal will be ready and waiting at the ideal temperature.
- Soup Bowls: Because a great soup deserves a great bowl!
When it comes to shredding the chicken, you have a couple of options. You can carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them on a cutting board using two forks. Alternatively, for even less cleanup, you can use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot while it’s still warm. Just be cautious not to splash yourself with the hot soup!
Looking for ideas on what to serve alongside this delicious dish? Be sure to check out our suggestions for sides for soup to complete your meal.
The Magic of Slow Cooking: Why It’s Perfect for Enchilada Soup
The slow cooker is an indispensable kitchen appliance, especially for busy individuals and families. Its “set it and forget it” nature is truly a game-changer, allowing you to prepare incredibly flavorful meals with minimal effort. For a dish like Chicken Enchilada Soup, slow cooking works wonders. The extended cooking time at a low temperature tenderizes the chicken beautifully, allowing it to easily shred into the rich broth. This gentle heat also gives all the spices, vegetables, and savory liquids ample time to meld together, creating a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods. The result is a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, developing complex notes and an unbelievably comforting aroma that will greet you as soon as you walk through the door. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about unlocking the full potential of your ingredients for a truly delicious dining experience.
Discover More Great Crockpot Chicken Recipes
If you love the ease and delicious results of cooking chicken in your slow cooker, we have plenty more recipes for you to explore:
- Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- Crockpot Bush’s White Chicken Chili
- Crockpot Tater Tot Chicken Casserole
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crockpot Chicken Gumbo
Don’t miss all of our other fantastic slow cooker chicken recipes for more dinner inspiration!
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our wide array of copycat recipes, delightful dessert recipes, and our complete collection of CrockPot Recipes. There’s something for every craving and occasion!
Stay connected and never miss a delicious post! Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our latest recipe updates and culinary adventures.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
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20 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 20 minutes
6
350kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoon Olive Oil
- ½ cup Onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 1-2 Teaspoon Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- ¼ cup Cilantro (chopped)
- 15 oz Black Beans (rinsed)
- 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes
- 2 cups Frozen Corn
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 pound Chicken Breast
- ¼ cup Scallions (chopped)
- ¾ cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. This step helps build a rich flavor base.
- Stir in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
- Carefully pour the heated liquid mixture from the saucepan into your slow cooker. Add the chopped cilantro to the slow cooker.
- To the slow cooker, add the rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes, frozen corn, cumin, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Place the chicken breast directly into the slow cooker, submerging it in the liquid.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. Once cooked, remove the chicken (or shred directly in the pot) and return the shredded chicken to the soup.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish generously with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh chopped scallions, and extra cilantro for a burst of freshness and flavor. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Saucepan
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 81
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Recipe originally shared on November 24, 2017. Updated on March 25, 2020.