Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (2024)

This Creamy Enchilada Chili is brimming with all kinds of tasty bites. In every spoonful, you’ll savor the flavors of enchiladas…without the tortillas!

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (1)

Creamy Enchilada Chili Recipe

Just having returned from Thanksgiving week in Mexico with family (heavenly!), all of us are relieved to come back to a mild Minnesota forecast for the upcoming week.

The warm sun felt sooooooo very good on our skin, requiring multiple applications of sunscreen each day as we played in the pool and salty sea. I’m proud to say that I set work aside almost entirely, except for replying to a couple of emails.

While we were gone, my lunches consisted of fresh salads, ceviche, guacamole, salsa, and chips. And quite a few chicken wings – they were awesome! Our resort also had many wonderful offerings of fresh fish and seafood. I was loving every fresh and flavorful bite, morning to night.

And now that we’re back home, rolling into December and at least a few months of winter, we’re back into comfort food mode. It’s all about soups and chilisandslow cooker meals. And the latest recipe to be added to the list is this Creamy Enchilada Chili.

This pot of chili is brimming with all kinds of tasty bites. Every spoonful is loaded with the flavors of enchiladas that remind me of sunny Mexico. I know that I’ll be stirring up this enchilada chili recipe all winter long!

* This is a sponsored post, created in partnership withRed Gold®.

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (2)

Recipe Ingredients

When it comes to chili,Red Gold tomatoes are my constant companion.

Red Gold tomatoes are grown on Midwest family farms, and have been family-owned for 75 years. Growing up on a farm in the Midwest myself, with many family members still farming to this day, this means a lot to me.

But it’s more than the local farm family sentiment that keeps me reaching for this tomato brand. I’ve held my own little canned tomato taste tests, and have repeatedly found Red Gold to be the freshest, best-tasting tomatoes. These products have simply won my trust.

In this enchilada chili recipe I use three different varieties:

  • diced tomatoes for some chunkiness
  • tomato paste for its deep tomato flavor
  • and tomato sauce for that overall tomato richness that chili is famous for

For a more traditional chili, incorporate Red Gold tomatoes into our favorite Slow Cooker Chili recipe!

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (3)

Creamy Enchilada Chili

You could think of this chili as enchiladas without the tortillas.

Depending on my mood, and possibly what’s on hand in the freezer, I make this recipe with ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Any of these work well.

For creaminess, I fold softened cream cheese in at the end. It gives these bowls of chili a little extra body and a bit of that lovely cream cheese tang.

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (4)

How to make enchilada chili

To incorporate the flavor of enchiladas into this homemade meal, I combined the following spices:

  • chili powder
  • ancho chili pepper
  • chipotle powder
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • cinnamon

I like to use a medium chili powder whenever I make chili. But if you like your chili mild or especially spicy, just adjust accordingly. Same goes for the amount of chipotle powder, which is known for its heat.

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (5)

And you know me. I’m all about the add-ons.

After ladling chili into my bowl, I like to top it off with chopped fresh cilantro, some Cotija cheese (its crumbly texture and salty flavor are great contrasts to the chili), and a great big squeeze of bright lime.

And if you’re looking for an awesome dipper for this chili, bake up a batch of my easy Honey Cornbread Muffins.

If I close my eyes, this creamy enchilada chili has me sitting in Mexico.

Join me?!

More Cozy Soup Recipes To Try

  • Italian Sausage Soup
  • Chicken Wild Rice Soup
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Thai Chicken Soup

Like this Enchilada Chili recipe? Pin it!

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (6)

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (7)

Creamy Enchilada Chili

Yield: 10 servings

prep time: 15 minutes mins

cook time: 40 minutes mins

total time: 55 minutes mins

This creamy chili recipe is brimming with all kinds of tasty bites. In every spoonful, you’ll savor the flavors of enchiladas…without the tortillas!

4.7 Stars (37 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. ground chili powder I use a medium spicy chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground chipotle powder
  • 1 tsp. ancho chili powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 lbs. ground turkey chicken, or beef
  • 3 T. olive oil
  • 1 c. diced yellow onion
  • ¼ c. Red Gold® Tomato Paste
  • 2 14.5 oz. cans Red Gold® Tomato Sauce
  • 2 14.5 oz. cans Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes (no not drain)
  • 2 c. low sodium chicken broth
  • 8 oz. cream cheese cubed small and softened to room temperature
  • 1 14 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 c. frozen corn
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • crumbled Cotija cheese
  • fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  • For the enchilada spice mixture: In a small bowl, combine cumin, oregano, chili powder, chipotle powder, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Set aside.

  • For the rest of the chili: In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground meat, breaking it up as it cooks. With a large slotted spoon, remove cooked meat to a plate and set aside. Remove any fat from pot.

  • To the same large pot over medium heat, add the oil. When oil starts to shimmer, add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just softened. Then stir in enchilada spice mixture. Cook until fragrant and slightly deeper in color, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, to combine evenly. Then add tomato sauce, stirring to break up any lumps. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth, and then turn up heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a simmer. Once thoroughly warmed, stir in cream cheese until completely combined and creamy. Add cooked ground meat, black beans, and corn. Turn heat down to medium to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed. Taste test and add more kosher salt if needed.

  • Serve creamy enchilada chili with cilantro, crumbled Cotija, and fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the top of individual bowls. If you like, also reserve some of the black beans and corn for sprinkling over the top of individual bowls.

Notes

from a farmgirl’s dabbles

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 330kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Course: Soup

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (8)
Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (9)

Be sure to check out Red Goldon theirwebsite.You can also find them on social media onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andPinterest.

Red Gold sponsored this post. I am happy to be partnering with them again this year, bringing you delicious recipes bursting with fresh, rich tomato flavor. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this site possible.

Creamy Enchilada Chili - Easy Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is white enchilada sauce made of? ›

What is white enchilada sauce made of? It's a classic sour cream-based enchilada sauce that starts with a quick roux made with equal parts of butter and flour. Then you stir in some chicken broth, chiles, and sour cream. Then, comes the cheese!

Can you use cream cheese to thicken chili? ›

White chicken chili is commonly thickened using cream cheese and corn starch. Cream cheese adds richness without making the chili too heavy. Another option is to purchase extra white beans and puree them in a blender before adding to the chili. This is an awesome solution for those who are looking to go dairy-free!

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

How do you thicken white chicken chili? ›

How to Thicken Chili
  1. Simmer down. ...
  2. Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina. ...
  3. Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats. ...
  4. Pile on the vegetables. ...
  5. Try more tomato paste. ...
  6. Mash some beans. ...
  7. Crumble up some corn chips.
Oct 28, 2023

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

What can I substitute for enchilada sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is a good way to replace enchilada sauce if you're looking for a milder alternative. It's easy to take a pre-made tomato sauce and spice it and add other ingredients to get closer to a real enchilada sauce.

Can you use cream cheese instead of sour cream for chili? ›

Yes, cream cheese can be used as an alternative to sour cream in some recipes. It has a similar creaminess and tangy flavor. However, cream cheese is thicker and has a more pronounced flavor, so you may need to add a little bit of milk to thin it out and balance the flavor.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato sauce is not a strong a taste as tomato paste. Also, sauce will increase the liquid content of your chili ever so slightly. Tomato paste has a more full, rich, tomato taste and smell. Using either one is appropriate, but you will need to tweak your seasonings to suit your personal tastes, anyway.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Cinnamon adds a different spice profile than chili powder or red or cayenne pepper would. It is a common savory spice in Indian food and I believe it's also used in savory dishes in Chinese cooking. It's a very versatile spice :).

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

Not Cooking It Long Enough

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili.

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Does sour cream thicken chili? ›

Heavy Cream / Milk / Sour Cream / Cheese

Another great thickening agent is dairy, whether heavy cream, milk, sour cream, or even shredded cheese. You'll want to incorporate these ingredients on low heat. With the heavy cream or milk, you'll add that to your whole pot of chili before serving.

What is the white sauce at Mexican restaurants made of? ›

Cumin – Cumin adds great flavor to this dip. Milk – Milk helps thin the sauce a bit, use whichever kind you drink. Sour cream – Adds richness and creaminess to the dip. Miracle Whip- Now I know you will want to substitute mayo but the miracle whip has the right amount of sweetness that this dip needs.

What are the different types of enchilada sauce? ›

Enchilada sauces are smooth, chili-based sauces that include salsa roja (red enchilada sauce), chile con queso (cheese-based sauce), verde sauce (green enchilada sauce), and mole sauces.

What is the white cheese on enchiladas? ›

Highly likely it is Monterey Jack cheese, which is white. It melts beautifully and can be both creamy and stringy when the enchiladas are hot. If the enchiladas become cold and they need reheating, the Monterey cheese becomes creamy and stringy once again.

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