There's a reason this green chicken enchilada soup went viral-it's easy, cozy, and packed with flavor! Tender shredded chicken, a rich and creamy broth, and just the right kick of zesty green enchilada sauce make this green enchilada chicken soup irresistible. With Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and salsa verde, it's the perfect balance of comfort and spice-plus, it's high-protein and low-carb!
The backstory.
Forgotten Ingredient = New Family Favorite
I was all set to make my favorite green chicken enchiladas-the chicken was prepped, the cheese was ready, and the enchilada sauce was waiting to be poured. But just as I started assembling, I opened the pantry and-no tortillas. Not a single one. I stood there for a moment, debating whether to abandon ship or make a desperate grocery run, but then inspiration (and hunger) took over. Instead of rolling enchiladas, I decided to turn everything into a soup. I tossed the chicken, broth, and green enchilada sauce into the slow cooker, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.
A few hours later, what came out was pure comfort in a bowl-a creamy, cheesy, flavor-packed soup that tasted just like green enchiladas, only cozier. The chicken was fall-apart tender, the broth was rich and velvety, and every bite had that perfect balance of zesty salsa verde and melty cheese. My family devoured it, and just like that, my go-to Green Enchilada Chicken Soup was born. Now, I make it on purpose-because sometimes, the best recipes happen by accident!
xoxo Kori
The must-make green chicken enchilada soup!
The viral sensation. A few years ago, this soup went viral-millions of views and still holding strong as my #1 recipe. Why? Because it's downright delicious! 🔥
Big flavor, easy prep. Think cheesy, creamy, enchilada goodness-only in soup form! It's rich, satisfying, and ridiculously easy to make with only a few ingredients. Plus, you get to choose your method: slow cooker, stovetop, or Instant Pot!
Super customizable. It's easily adaptable to your family's tastes, pantry staples on hand, or dietary needs! Check out the flexible dietary swaps section below for more information.
What you'll need.
Here is what you'll need to make creamy chicken enchilada soup in your slow cooker or Instant Pot:
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs - either one can be used.
- Green Enchilada Sauce - use my homemade recipe (seriously, try it!) or grab a 28 ounce can.
- Chicken Broth
- Half and Half - half and half or heavy cream can be used.
- Monterey Jack Cheese - if you can, grate your own cheese it melts better than packaged.
- Cream Cheese - cubed and very soft. Soften it in the microwave before adding to the soup.
- Green Salsa (Salsa Verde) - make your own salsa verde (it's easy) or use any favorite brand.
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Optional Garnish - avocado, green onion, sour cream, cilantro
Special equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker, an Instant Pot, or a soup pot
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Make it yours.
Here are a few ways you can customize this recipe:
- Spice it up by adding hot sauce, additional salsa, or chili pepper flakes.
- Try adding a can of diced green chiles.
- Add hominy, drained canned corn, or beans like white beans (cannellini or great northern), black beans, or pinto beans. Readers love it with hominy!
- Fresh vegetables are wonderful in this soup. Add mushrooms, zucchini, sliced carrots when you add the broth.
- Add a quick cooking minute rice, or add a half cup of long grain rice with the broth.
Flexible dietary swaps.
This soup is already a high-protein, low-carb favorite, but it's super easy to tweak based on your preferences or what's in your fridge:
- Dairy-Free? Use a plant-based cream cheese (like almond or cashew-based), unsweetened plain oat milk or coconut milk in place of half and half, and swap in a vegan cream cheese alternative (to keep it creamy). Boom-dairy-free comfort in a bowl.
- Lighter Option? Use fat-free half and half or low-fat cream cheese, and reduce the shredded cheese to 1 cup. You'll still get that creamy vibe with fewer calories.
- Higher Fat/Keto-Friendly? Use heavy cream instead of half and half, add extra Monterey Jack, or top with avocado and a dollop of sour cream for good fats.
- More Veggies? Stir in spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or riced cauliflower during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. They'll bulk it up without changing the flavor.
- Vegetarian Swap: Sub in white beans (like cannellini or great northern) or chickpeas for the chicken, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Spice Control: Tone it down with mild enchilada sauce or salsa verde-or turn up the heat with jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy salsa. Your call!
The bottom line: this soup loves a good remix. Make it your own and love every spoonful.
How to make green enchilada chicken soup
This soup recipe can be made in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on your stove. See the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Enjoy!
Slow cooker method (easiest)
Slow cook
Add chicken breast or thighs, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth. Slow cook until the chicken is tender and easily shreds apart.
Shred the chicken
Remove chicken, shred and return to the crockpot.
Add remaining ingredients
Add half and half, jack cheese, softened cream cheese, and green salsa. Turn the crockpot to warm and stir until the cheeses are melted.
Instant pot method (fastest!)
- Add chicken, enchilada sauce, and broth to your Instant Pot.
- Seal and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Quick release, shred chicken, stir in remaining ingredients, and enjoy!
Stovetop method (weeknight-worthy!)
- In a large stockpot, add chicken, broth, and enchilada sauce. Simmer until chicken is done and can easily be pulled apart. Remove chicken and shred.
- Add shredded chicken and remaining ingredients. Stir and heat soup until it is warm and the cheese is melted.
How to enjoy it.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and salsa to taste. Use hot sauce to increase the heat.
- Delicious topped with avocado, cilantro, green onion, and sour cream.
- Give your kids some scooped tortilla chips and let them scoop up their soup.
- Crush tortilla chips over the top to add some crunch.
If you love chicken soup, be sure to check out these easy, healthy chicken soup recipes!
Love enchiladas? Make your own homemade green enchilada sauce, try the lighter healthy green chicken enchilada soup, the white bean enchilada soup, or the 6-ingredient ground beef enchilada soup. Craving the real thing? Make these green chicken enchiladas or browse all 15+ cozy enchilada recipes.
Kori's tips.
- To add heat, use more green salsa or a green chili hot sauce.
- No cream cheese clumps. Make sure your cream cheese is very soft (warm it in the microwave a few seconds at a time on low). Then whisk it with a ladle of the hot broth before stirring it into the soup. Cold cream cheese won't melt smoothly and leaves lumps.
- Smooth, not stringy, cheese. Always grate your own Monterey Jack. Pre-packaged shredded cheese is coated in potato starch to keep it from sticking, which also keeps it from melting smoothly. Stir the cheese in over low heat (or on Warm) and don't let the soup boil. High heat makes the cheese tighten up and turn stringy.
- Add the salsa verde and dairy last. Stirring them in at the end keeps their flavor from getting diluted during the long cook.
FAQs
Red enchilada sauce is made with red tomatoes, red chili peppers, onions, and other spices.
Green enchilada sauce is most often made of diced green chili peppers (such as anaheim peppers, hatch, jalapeno, etc.), garlic, vegetable stock, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Additional jalapeno peppers may also be added for more spice. Sometimes recipes will add tomatillos as well.
Both use very similar ingredients, but green enchilada sauce is cooked, and salsa verde uses raw ingredients. Not all green enchilada sauce recipes use tomatillos (but some do), whereas most salsa verde recipes use tomatillos.
Typically green enchilada sauce is made of spicy and mild green chili peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, and other seasonings. Sometimes a recipe will add tomatillos as well - but not always.
Yes. Here's how to make Instant Pot Green Enchilada Chicken Soup:
Add chicken, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Seal and pressure cook on High for 15 minutes, then quick release. Remove chicken and shred.
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and set it to Keep Warm.
Stir in the half and half, very soft cream cheese, jack cheese, and green salsa until the cheeses are melted.
Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Yes! Here's how to make Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup on your stovetop:
In a large stockpot, add chicken, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth.
Simmer until the chicken is done and can easily be pulled apart.
Remove chicken and shred.
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Stir in the half and half, very soft cream cheese, jack cheese, and green salsa until the soup is warm and the cheeses are melted. Do not let it boil.
Season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve with additional green salsa, hot sauce, and sour cream on the side. Enjoy!
Yes. This soup can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat slow. Fats from the dairy may become separated; add additional milk or cream as needed.
Yes. You can use fat-free half and half and you can reduce the cheese to 1 cup without sacrificing taste.
Adding olive oil and additional cheese will increase the fat in this recipe. You can also use heavy cream in place of half and half. Topping the soup with avocado and sour cream will also increase the fat.
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📖 The recipe.
Green Chicken Enchilada Soup
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 recipe green enchilada sauce (or a 28-ounce can store-bought sauce)
- 24 ounces chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese (cubed and softened - warm in the microwave if needed)
- 4 ounces green salsa (salsa verde)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken breast or thighs, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth.
- Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds. Remove chicken and shred.
- Add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker along with the jack cheese, very soft cream cheese, half and half, and green salsa. Turn the slow cooker to warm and stir until the cheeses are melted.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce or additional salsa to taste.
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add chicken, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Seal and pressure cook on High for 15 minutes, then quick release. Remove chicken and shred.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and set it to Keep Warm. Stir in the half and half, very soft cream cheese, jack cheese, and green salsa until the cheeses are melted.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce or additional salsa to taste.
Stovetop Instructions:
- In a large stockpot, add chicken, green enchilada sauce, and chicken broth. Simmer until chicken is done and can easily be pulled apart. Remove chicken and shred.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Stir in the half and half, very soft cream cheese, jack cheese, and green salsa until the soup is warm and the cheeses are melted. Do not let it boil.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce or additional salsa to taste.
Video
Kori's Tips
Nutrition
© 2026 Seeking Good Eats™
Janie
I've made this a couple of times before and loved it. today I put it in the crock later than usual. is it ok to cook it on high? I'm using frozen thighs.
Kori
Yes, cooking on high is fine! Enjoy!
Dorothy
Tweaked I meant to say and failed to say I did add the cream cheese after mixing with liquid from the soup firs.
Dorothy
Thank you so much, your recipe was wonderful. I tweeted with a few personal preferences. I sautéed diced onion, diced garlic and a diced poblano pepper. Added the water and two chicken bouillon’s because that’s what I had. Added diced rotisserie chicken and green enchilada sauce. Then the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. I did not add additional green chiles as I felt poblano was the sub. I did not have heavy cream so I subbed melted butter in milk heated in the micro. I served with added shredded cheddar, sour cream and cilantro topping. Served with garlic toast with the option of fresh tortilla chips. Amazing, thanks again. Definitely a keeper.
Kori
Awww thank you! I love your ideas, sounds wonderful! 🙂
Ginny
Made this with dairy free alternatives and you couldn’t even tell. Very yummy! I used pepper jack cheese too. Will be adding beans next time to make it a little more hearty!
Kori
That sounds wonderful and I am going to give that a try! 🙂 Thank you
Leslie M.
I have made this recipe about 10 times now! And, have passed it along to my mom, sister and friends. It is an absolute MUST-HAVE in your dinner rotation. You can't go wrong and you can't mess it up. It is perfection!
Kori
Awwww thank you so very much! My pleasure!
Michelle
Delicious soup. I used the instant pot version.
Kori
Awwww, thank you for giving the chicken enchilada soup a try! I'm so glad you loved it
FreyaFL
I made this with my instant pot (Ninja). So simple! I put frozen chicken breast in and added the broth, 28 ozs green enchilada sauce (a can of drained black beans, a 10 oz pkg frozen corn) and a little seasoning salt. High pressure for 13 minutes. Quick release. Shredded the chicken and put back. Added the cream cheese, stirred until incorporated. The shredded cheese, stirred. The salsa verde, stirred. Then served. Totally forgot the heavy cream. Was DELICIOUS. This will be made again and again. Thank you for an amazing recipe. <3
Kori
Thank you YOU for trying out the soup, so happy you enjoyed it!
Lisa Case
Really excited to try this, but can’t get it to print the recipe. Every time I click on “print”, it just reloads the entire post including ALL the comments. Is there another way to print just the recipe? Thanks!
Kori
Hello, I'm sorry you are having issues printing! It should definitely print with the print button (with no reloading of the post or comments). I think it might be a technical issue with the device you were using? I tried from several different devices and it all printed fine. Maybe turn off your device and restart and see if that works?
Leah
This was delicious. I used the shredded breasts from a rotisserie chicken, but followed the rest of the recipe exactly and did it on the stovetop- it took less 30 minutes. I did do all the liquid and cheeses first and then added the chicken at the end as it was still cold from the refrigerator. Everything melted well and everyone had seconds from age 70 to 17. I set out bowls with pico, corn, diced avocado, queso fresco, diced onion, tortilla chips, etc so everyone could top their soup in their preferred way. It’s officially in the rotation! Thank you!
Kori
That sounds wonderful! Thank you!
Diane
This is fantastic! I made this soup last nite for our Friday nite dinner with our next door neighbors, one of whom is on lo-carb diet. It was fabulous. I added my own homemade green salsa and a little green hot sauce and followed one reviewer’s suggestion of blending cream cheese with some hot broth before adding to the soup and that worked perfectly. I added herbs to the broth in which I poached the chicken breasts. Everyone loved it and the lo-carb dieter asked for the recipe! I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you for this recipe.
Kori
Awwww! Thank you so much. I'm so happy everyone loved the soup!
Cindi
Awesome! Best soup I’ve ever made. I used 2 chicken breasts and rotisserie chicken. Other than that followed exactly. Made your enchilada sauce. Read all the notes. Was easy. Loved it.
Kori
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the soup. Great use of chicken! I do that sometimes too - just use what I have and it always turns out. 🙂
Caryn
Wow! Made this last week and it was a huge hit. My 7yr old considers himself a junior chef and suggested I double the chicken. I didn’t double it, but did add an additional pound. It’s in the crockpot right now. He & I are going to make a nice loaf of cheddar jalapeño bread for dunking. Best new recipe I’ve tried in a long time!
Kori
Great! Thank you so much. I would love that recipe for cheddar jalapeno bread!! 😉 That sounds fantastic!
Diane H
OHHHH SOOOO GOOOD.....Love this soup.
Kori
🙂 Thank you very much!! I'm so happy you love it!
Mollee
To add rice would I add uncooked rice in the slow cooker in the first step with the chicken and broth?
Kori
Yes, you could definitely add uncooked rice in the first step. That's a great idea! 🙂 Enjoy
Jeanette
OMG I just made this today and it is DELICIOUS! I followed your recipe and I wouldn’t change anything. I did make homemade tortilla strips and they put this soup over the top! Thank you, it’s one of my favorite soups now!
Kori
Awww thank you so very much for trying out the chicken enchilada soup! I'm super happy you loved it!
KC
Made this delicious soup today❣️ I added can of green chiles, pico de gallo and a bag of frozen Mexican Street Corn. Yummy!
Kori
Thank you so much! I am going to try the street corn. That sounds delicious 🙂
Patty
What and where do I find Mexican Street Corn??
Karlyn
I am curious how long this will keep in the fridge because it is a LOT of yummy soup!
Kori
Awww thank you! I wouldn't keep it longer than 4 days.
Cathy
I think I've already reviewed once, but neverless, my husband & I LOVE it. Gonna spring it on my grands and son tomorrow night. Could you suggest some good sides to serve with it??? Thanks so much!!!!
Kori
Hello, thank you so very much! If it's a side for your grandkids, I would get the corn tortilla "scoops" and let them dip their soup - for whatever reason my kids love to eat it that way. lol The soup is pretty much a meal on its own, but you could make a fresh salad and serve it with Avocado Cilantro Dressing, or if you want another side you can go with these easy refried beans. If you want veggies, make these Mexican-inspired green beans. 🙂 Enjoy!
Camila
The Original recipe was too spicy for kids to eat. I would start with a lot less green salsa (we used mild) and then add more if you would like.
Kori
The soup was made to be mild (I'm not a spicy fan) but the spiciness of green salsa among brands can definitely vary. Great tip if you're not sure. Thanks for trying the recipe out!
MelissaGrace
You definitely need to use a big pot for this! I wasn’t paying attention & ran out of room!