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This cozy and flavorful white bean green chile chicken soup is just the thing for cooler nights or easy weeknight dinners. It’s full of shredded chicken, white beans and zesty green chilies, all simmered together with garlic, cumin and coriander in a rich, savory broth. The result is a warming soup that’s hearty, easy to customize and quick to prepare. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a bowl that feels both comforting and fresh.
This white bean green chile chicken soup is loaded with tender chicken, creamy white beans and just the right amount of spice. Perfect for cozy nights or meal prep.
Also try this beanless chili or these Mexican candy shots or Mexican carnitas. If you’re craving soup, this sausage tortellini soup is really good.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: This soup comes together quickly using pantry staples and rotisserie chicken.
Packed with flavor: Cumin, coriander and green chilies add depth and warmth.
Meal prep friendly: Keeps well and reheats beautifully.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings to make it your own.
White Bean Green Chile Chicken Soup Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the onion and garlic, building a flavorful base.
Onion: Adds mild sweetness and depth to the broth.
Garlic: Provides bold, aromatic flavor.
Cumin and coriander: Earthy spices that pair perfectly with the green chilies and chicken.
Green chilies: Add a mild heat and fresh flavor.
White beans: Make the soup creamy and hearty.
Green enchilada sauce: Adds a rich, tangy base that complements the other ingredients.
Chicken: Shredded and cooked, it adds protein and texture.
Chicken stock: Forms the flavorful soup base.
Optional toppings: Cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, lime, and pickled red onions add brightness, creaminess or crunch if liked.
How to Make Spicy Chicken Soup
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant.
Add spices: Stir in cumin and coriander to bloom the spices.
Add remaining ingredients: Add green chilies, white beans, enchilada sauce, chicken, and chicken stock.
Simmer the soup: Let it cook to develop flavor and blend the ingredients.
Garnish and serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings.
Substitutions and Variations
Use leftover turkey: Great for the holidays or post-roast meals.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use vegetable stock.
Add heat: Stir in a bit of chopped jalapeño or hot sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with some Mexican shrimp ceviche or street corn nachos.
Side dishes: Pair your white bean green chile chicken soup with a Tex Mex quinoa bowl or a layered bean dip and chips.
Desserts: Finish off with marranito cookies or Mexican rice pudding.
How to Store Green Chile Chicken Soup
Store: This green chile soup recipe should be fine for 3 or 4 days in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Freeze it for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Bloom the spices: Cooking the cumin and coriander in oil enhances their flavor.
Shred your own chicken: Rotisserie works well, but home-cooked chicken gives the best texture.
Use a hand blender: For a thicker soup, blend part of the soup directly in the pot.
Taste and adjust: Don’t forget to check the seasoning before serving.
White Bean Green Chile Chicken Soup FAQs
Swap the chicken for your favourite chopped veggies to make this vegetarian-friendly and use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock. As for the enchilada sauce, the ingredients vary by brand, so check the packaging. Any vegan-friendly shredded cheese alternative would make a tasty garnish.
While red enchilada sauce is tomato-based, green enchilada sauce is mainly made with tomatillos, along with onions, garlic, green chilies, and more. Although green enchilada sauce isn’t that spicy, adding a can of green chilies to the white bean green chile chicken soup does add some heat. If you would prefer a milder result, feel free to omit the green chilies.
Green Chili White Bean Soup Recipe
White Bean Green Chile Chicken Soup
Equipment
- Box Grater Optional
- Dutch Oven or Large Pot
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, large, diced
- 4 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 Can green chilies, 4 Ounces, diced
- 2 Cans white beans, 14.5 Ounces, drained, rinsed
- 1 Can green enchilada sauce, 15 Ounces
- 3 Cups chicken, shredded, leftover or rotisserie
- 4 Cups chicken stock
Optional Toppings
- cilantro
- cheese, shredded
- avocado, sliced
- red onions, pickled
- sour cream
- lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add cumin and coriander and continue to cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add in all remaining ingredients. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve with your favourite toppings.
Notes
Shred your own chicken: Rotisserie works well, but home-cooked chicken gives the best texture.
Use a hand blender: For a thicker soup, blend part of the soup directly in the pot.
Taste and adjust: Don’t forget to check the seasoning before serving.
Nutrition
This soup is the kind of comfort food you can make on repeat. The white beans, green chilies and shredded chicken create a balanced and satisfying mix that’s both hearty and bright. Whether you serve it fresh off the stove or from a meal-prepped container, it tastes just as good either way. Add your favorite toppings, a side of warm bread or just a spoon and a cozy seat, and enjoy a bowl of this white bean green chile chicken soup anytime you like.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Absolutely a five-star recipe! So hearty and delicious!
I make this soup at least once a week because it’s so hearty and satisfying.
I was blown away by how tasty this recipe turned out! The result was mouthwatering. This will be a regular at my dinner table.
I love green chili soup! Can’t wait to make this
Such a hearty soup! I love this! Perfect for cold nights!
White chicken chili is one of our favorite things to eat around here. I’m definitely going to give this one a try. And I love the idea of using rotisserie chicken…what a timesaver!
Made this with rotisserie and so good!