Slow cooker chicken enchilada soup with shredded chicken – a flavorful healthy whole30, paleo, keto dinner recipe made conveniently and easily in the crock pot. This post also includes an Instant Pot option!

big bowl of chicken enchilada soup with avocado and sour cream

This mash-up of chicken enchiladas and soup is so simple to prepare in your slow cooker! Simply set it up in the morning (or the night before), allow it to cook slow and low, and enjoy it for a marvelously flavorful Mexican-inspired meal!

This low-fuss recipe is easy to toss together and incorporates pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Ingredients needed for chicken enchilada soup: onion, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chipotle chilies, some pantry spices, and chicken. Simple!

If you love using your Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) rather than a slow cooker, no worries! I have included the Instant Pot instructions in this post as well.

Let’s dive right in!

How to Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup: 

Add ingredients to your slow cooker in the order in which they appear. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid and place the slow cooker on the low setting. Cook 6 to 7 hours, until chicken is very tender. Note: You can cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Place the shredded chicken back into the crock pot, stir well, and cover. Allow soup to continue cooking at least another 20 minutes to allow chicken to absorb more flavor.

Serve soup with coconut milk yogurt, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and grain-free tortillas or chips. Store soup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

bowl of enchilada soup with tortillas, napkin and spoon

Instant Pot Instructions:

Plug in your Instant Pot and press the Saute button. Add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil (or cooking oil of choice), and saute the onion and garlic until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.

Scoot the onion off to one side and place chicken breasts on the hot surface. Brown 3 minutes per side.

Add the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir well. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and pressure cook on high 20 minutes with the steam valve closed. After the pressure cooker has run its course, allow it to naturally release 15 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, then open the lid.

Transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and stir well.

Scoop enchilada soup into bowls and serve with any toppings (corn tortillas, chips, cheese, sour cream, onion, etc).

Here are some ways you can change up this enchilada soup to your liking:

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Make it lower in FODMAPs by omitting the onion and garlic (I’ve tested the recipe without, and it’s still very flavorful and tasty!)
  • Add 3 cups baby spinach at the end of the cooking process for some added fiber and vitamins
  • If tolerant of rice, add 1 to 1.5 cups cooked rice once soup has finished cooking. Rice will absorb much of the soup liquid after sitting, so add more broth to thin it back out if desired.
  • If tolerant of beans, add 1 (14-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes:

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

 

big bowl of chicken enchilada soup with avocado and sour cream

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

5 from 1 vote
Chicken enchilada soup made easily in the slow cooker or Instant Pot
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp chipotle chilies in adobo sauce optional but recommended
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt to taste
  • 1 pound chicken breasts

Instructions

  • Add ingredients to your slow cooker in the order in which they appear. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid and place the slow cooker on the low setting. Cook 6 to 7 hours, until chicken is very tender. Note: You can cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Place the shredded chicken back into the crock pot, stir well, and cover. Allow soup to continue cooking at least another 20 minutes to allow chicken to absorb more flavor.
  • Serve with choice of toppings and/or chips or tortillas.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 3 · Calories: 274kcal · Carbohydrates: 15g · Protein: 38g · Fat: 4g · Sugar: 8g
Author: Julia
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: keto, low-carb, paleo, whole30
Did You Make This Recipe?I want to see it! Tag @the.roasted.root on social media!

Julia Mueller
Meet the Author

Julia Mueller

Julia Mueller is a recipe developer, cookbook author, and founder of The Roasted Root. She has authored three bestselling cookbooks, – Paleo Power Powers, Delicious Probiotic Drinks, and The Quintessential Kale Cookbook. Her recipes have been featured in several national publications such as BuzzFeed, Self, Tasty, Country Living, Brit.co, etc.

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Questions and Reviews

  1. I cannot wait to make this ??? If I used 2 pounds of chicken breast, would I need to fully double the remaining ingredients? How about the cooking time?

    I’ll let you know how great this turns out!

  2. I made this yesterday. Super easy and super good. I added significantly more chili powder because, for my taste, it adds a richness to Mexican food that I like. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks for a great recipe!

    1. I’m so happy you like it, Alan! Love that you added more chili powder…it really does wonders to a dish! xo

  3. Made this last week. Loved it. I went easy on the spices because I didn’t want it to be too spicy. It wasn’t at all and next time ill add more. I have some frozen and thinking that the chicken would be good in a taco. By the way I had some leftover brown rice and put that into the bowl before putting the soup in. Definitely a keeper.

    1. Ooh I love the idea of adding brown rice! So thrilled you made and enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback! 😀 xoxo