Chicken Enchilada Chili Cafe Zupas Copycat

Cafe Zupas is famous for its delicious soups and for good reason. All of the soups at Cafe Zupas are amazing, but this one is my very favorite. It is so convenient to make in the crock pot. I have been working on a replica for Chicken Enchilada Chili for a while now and I feel like I finally have it. My husband actually prefers this version to all other chili recipes now. I am so excited to share this chili with you — and just in time for Cinco de Mayo. This chili is great because you can serve it as a side or as the main dish. It makes a great lunch or dinner and your kids will love it.

Ingredients in Chicken Enchilada Soup

It may seem like there are a ton of ingredients in this chili, but trust me, it comes together in a snap. Here’s all you need:

Chicken breasts – they’ll boil right in the enchilada sauce. Chicken thighs work great too! Green AND Red Enchilada Sauce – It is especially good with our Homemade Enchilada Sauce Cream of chicken soup – if you don’t want to use a can of soup, we have a delicious homemade Cream of Chicken substitute recipe. Milk – adds extra creaminess to the soup. It’ll also help thin out the soup if it seems to thick. You can also add a bit of chicken broth. Rotel tomatoes – or a can of tomatoes with green chilis added Some chili powder and paprika – for flavor and color. You can add more or less of these ingredients depending on how spicy you like your soup. Black beans -I love the black beans in his chili but if you don’t have any on hand, kidney beans are a great substitute. Corn – I stir in a can of fire roasted corn niblets but you can use frozen or fresh corn in this recipe. Cheddar cheese – use a block and shred it yourself. It’s so much better than the pre-shredded stuff. Sour cream – use a little in the souprecipe and some as a garnish on top. Top this white chicken chili with tortilla chips, green onion, diced avocado, cilantro, salsa verde, more cheese and sour cream.

The Secret’s in the Sauce

What makes this chili taste so amazing is that it is made with red and green enchilada sauces. If you don’t like using canned enchilada sauce, we have a great homemade red enchilada sauce. It is so easy to make and you will love the taste. I bet you have most of the ingredients to make it in your pantry right now. For the green sauce, just type “homemade green enchilada sauce” into Google and you will be swimming in DIY options. The broth of the chili is a little cheesy, a little creamy, a little spicy, and a lot of yummy. It is loaded with shredded chicken, tomatoes, chilies, black beans, and corn. Then top it off with crunchy tortilla strips, shredded cheddar cheese, and some sour cream and you have the most incredible soup! To add even more of a homemade touch, you can make our Homemade Tortilla Strips for a topping.

Tips for Making Chicken Enchilada Chili

Sear the Chicken: Before adding it to the chili, try searing the chicken in a hot pan with a bit of oil. This step adds flavor and helps lock in the juices. Spices and Seasonings: The key to great chili is the seasoning. Use a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano to add to the Mexican flavor. Adjust the heat level with cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños. Simmer Slowly: Allow your chili to cook for an extended period in the Crockpot, ideally 2-3 hours on high heat or 4-6 hours on low. This allows the flavors to meld and develop depth. Beans: Use a combination of black beans, pinto beans, chili beans and/or kidney beans for added texture and flavor. Rinse and drain canned beans before adding them to the chili. Cream Cheese: Want to make your chili even creamier? Try adding 8 oz. of cream cheese to the mix. You can add it at the beginning or melt it in the microwave and add it at the end. Garnish Well: Top your chicken enchilada chili with a variety of garnishes for extra flavor and texture. Consider shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve with Tortilla Chips or Rice: Offer tortilla chips or cooked rice on the side. These make great accompaniments for scooping up the chili. Adjust Seasoning: Taste your chili before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, spice, or acidity, depending on your preference. Leftovers: Chicken enchilada chili often tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to meld. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Instructions

To make this recipe in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Simply add 1 cup of chicken broth to the bottom of the Instant Pot, then add the chicken, and then top with the the remaining Crockpot ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, then slow release for 20 minutes before doing a full release.

What Readers are Saying About our Chicken Enchilada Chili

“5+ stars for this recipe! The flavor is amazing 🤩 soooo good especially if you love anything Mexican! You can taste the richness and calories but so worth it! Great for colder weather!” – Denise “We love this recipe! I’ve made it several times. I’ve never actually had Cafe Zupa’s anything but this is close to Chili’s chicken enchilada soup. It’s one of those recipes that you can make your own- add more or less of the ingredients, add in extra stuff if you want and it’ll still turn out fine. I made it for work and for a baby shower and both times it was a big hit.” – Lisa S. “I made a double batch and it was so large I didn’t think my boyfriend and I could finish it before it went bad. We ate it in 3 days for lunch and dinner because it was absolutely PHENOMENAL. I’m actually making a double batch again today, just week later haha! This is the best recipe I have found online. Thank you thank you thank you!!” – Sarah C.

More Slow Cooker Soups to Try

If you like the ease and convenience of making soup in the slow cooker, you have to try more of these delicious slow cooker recipes. If you love Mexican-inspired soups be sure to try our Copycat Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup, Emily’s Southwest Taco Soup, or our Black Bean Soup. Any one of these are sure to warm you up on a cold day and fill that comfort food craving.