Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (2025)

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Here’s a flavorful twist on traditional chili — Chicken Enchilada Chili! With some ingredients used in traditional chili, plus enchilada soup ingredients this is a flavorful soup that will be the star this fall.

Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (1)

Our first annual Defined Dish Soup Week (#DDSoupWeek) is off to a delicious start with this Chicken Enchilada Chili! With the idea of a traditional Beef Chili with Beans and my Chicken Enchilada Soup in mind, this final creation is beyond delicious. I know this will be a recipe you come back to soup season, after soup season!

Chicken Enchilada Chili Ingredients:

Don’t let a long ingredient list scare you! A lot of these ingredients are spices and pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (2)
  • Avocado Oil
  • Yellow Onion
  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Ground Chicken
  • Dired Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Paprika, Dried Oregano
  • Tapioca Flour
  • Tomato Paste
  • Diced Green Chiles
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Chicken Broth
  • Black Beans and Kidney Beans

step one: saute the veggies

To start this recipe, saute the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven. This will be a base of flavor for the soup.

step two: cook and season the chicken

Next, add the ground chicken to the pot and saute until cooked through. Use the edge of a spoon to break up the meat into small pieces! After you drain off any excess fat, if needed, add the seasonings and cook until fragrant. Then add the tapioca flour and tomato paste. Stir until well combined with the chicken.

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step three: add the remaining ingredients and simmer

Once the chicken is seasoned, add the diced green chiles, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and broth and stir until well combined. These canned ingredients bring so much flavor so easily! After the soup begins to simmer, add the black beans and kidney beans. Continue cooking the soup at a low simmer until the beans are tender.

Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (4)

step four: serve and enjoy

While the soup is delicious as is, I love providing lots of topping options for everyone to serve their soup up exactly how they want to.

Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (5)

Recipe FAQs:

Do I need to drain the fat from the cooked chicken?

Yes! Before seasoning the chicken, be sure to drain any excess fat from the skillet.

why do I need to use the tapioca flour?

The tapioca flour helps the soup to thicken up slightly!

How should I serve the soup?

While this soup is great when served simply, I love setting up a toppings bar for my family to pick and choose exactly what they want! Find a variety of toppings options below.

I hope you enjoy the kickoff to #DDSoupWeek2023! Comment below once you try this recipe!

for more soup recipes:

Beef Chili with Beans

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Curried Chili

Creamy Tortilla-Less Soup

Turkey and White Bean Chili

Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (6)

5 from 24 votes

Chicken Enchilada Chili

Total: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 ½ cups diced-small yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced-small red bell pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 pounds ground chicken preferably dark meat (sub ground turkey)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Two [4-ounce] cans diced green chiles
  • 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 15- ounce jar red enchilada sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • One [15-ounce] can black beans drained and rinsed
  • One [15-ounce] can red kidney beans drained and rinsed

Optional for Serving:

  • 1 avocado thinly sliced
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Corn tortilla chips or Frito Corn Chips
  • 1 jalapeño thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Shredded Monterey jack cheese

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

  • Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, until the veggies are tender, about 4 minutes.

  • Add the ground chicken and continue to cook, breaking up the meat with the edge of a spoon, until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain off excess fat, if needed.

  • Add the salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano and toss until well combined and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tapioca flour and stir until very well combined. Then add the tomato paste, tossing until very well combined in with the meat.

  • Add the diced green chiles, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and broth and stir until well combined. Bring to a simmer.

  • Once simmering, stir in the drained and rinsed beans and reduce the heat to a light simmer, about medium-low to low heat, cover and cook to allow the flavors to meld and the beans to become tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

  • To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish as desired.

Notes

Storage Notes: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 619kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 47g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 19g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 195mg, Sodium: 2566mg, Potassium: 1849mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 3107IU, Vitamin C: 64mg, Calcium: 101mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Alex Snodgrass

Servings: 4

Calories: 619

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Photography byEat Love Eats.

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Chicken Enchilada Chili - The Defined Dish (2025)

FAQs

What is the origin of chicken enchiladas? ›

The roots of enchilada date back to the Aztec Empire. Its long history goes way back to pre-Columbian days when eating foods wrapped in a tortilla was the most popular way to eat in the Aztec Empire, particularly in the region of Mexico by the Yucatan.

How to make chicken enchiladas without soggy tortillas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

How do you make Sam's rotisserie chicken enchiladas? ›

Cooking Instructions: Remove lid. Cover with foil. Cook at 350 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes.

Are enchiladas an authentic Mexican dish? ›

Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish with a unique flavor and a very long history. Their delicious taste has made them a popular menu item at many Mexican restaurants. With the perfect combination of tortilla, meat, cheese, and sauce, enchiladas have become a symbol of a traditional Mexican meal.

What is the cultural significance of enchiladas? ›

Enchiladas originated in Mexico, where the practice of rolling tortillas around other food dates back at least to Aztec times. The people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate corn tortillas folded or rolled around small fish.

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

Enchiladas are laden with sauce and fillings, and you need a tortilla that will hold up to all the moisture, so you should always opt for corn over flour.

Should enchiladas be baked covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Why is Costco rotisserie chicken so soft? ›

Some people associate rotisserie chickens at Costco with a soft texture of meat and meat that falls off the bone. These are the result of the young age of the birds, coupled with the cooking method and injected solution.

How does Costco make their rotisserie chicken so good? ›

The reason Costco's chicken is so juicy is because of a salt solution pumped inside, which is basically like super-brining. That makes the meat moist and evenly seasoned every time, delivering a consistent—though there has been some Reddit uproar about weird-tasting chicken lately in some states—tasting chicken.

Why is Sam's Club rotisserie chicken pink? ›

The USDA explains that even fully cooked poultry can sometimes show a pinkish tinge in the meat and juices. This is particularly true of young chickens whose bones and skin are still very permeable. The chicken's feed and whether it's been frozen can also affect the final color.

What pairs well with chicken enchiladas? ›

Serve with a buffet of toppings like cilantro, green onions, cubed avocado, sour cream, feta cheese, black olives, guacamole, and salsa. Serve different sides family style for a fun dinner idea. Serve with refried beans, Mexican corn, or salad. Use homemade enchilada sauce or green enchilada sauce.

What drink goes well with enchiladas? ›

Best Wine with Enchiladas
TypeVarietalFood
Red WineChianti Classico (DOCG)Chicken Enchiladas
Sparkling WineCavaEnchiladas
Sparkling WineProseccoEnchiladas
White WineChenin BlancChicken Enchiladas
6 more rows
Aug 12, 2022

Can I prepare my enchiladas ahead of time? ›

To make ahead, cover the unbaked enchiladas and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or wrap tightly with foil and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, take the casserole out approximately one hour before baking to come to room temperature.

What is the difference between American and Mexican enchiladas? ›

Dishes such as enchiladas can be authentic or of the Tex-Mex variety. Authentic Mexican enchiladas have a variety of ingredients wrapped and often fried. They can be topped with cheese, chicken, lettuce, or sauces. Tex-Mex enchiladas are typically baked and are made with beef and cheese.

When did enchiladas come to America? ›

According to History Today, around 1845, Mexican dishes started integrating into American culture, becoming the basis for what would later be known as Tex-Mex Cuisine. Enchiladas quickly gained popularity among locals as a favorite lunch food. However, it was in the 20th century that enchiladas became widely accepted.

What is the history of enfrijoladas? ›

Enfrijoladas traces its origin to pre-Columbian times and is still one of the most popular versions of enchiladas in Mexico. It's served with with corn tortillas drenched in a creamy black bean sauce, garnished with queso fresco and pickled onion Stop by and try them before they sell out!!

Where did flat enchiladas originate? ›

History suggests that contemporary flat enchiladas can be traced to a Mexican dish known as tortillas enchiladas, that is, tortillas slathered with a red chili sauce, fried and drizzled with cheese.

References

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