Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili for Easy Weeknights
Introduction
Picture a hearty chili with the bold flavors of enchilada sauce and a lush, creamy finish—ready in just 30 minutes. This Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili is designed for home cooks who want maximum flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s rich, comforting, and guaranteed to satisfy any chili craving.
Why This Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili Is a Weeknight Hero
What sets this recipe apart is its incredibly fast prep and the way it brings together classic chili ingredients and Mexican-inspired flavors. The addition of sour cream or cream cheese turns the dish velvety and smooth, while pantry staples keep it simple. It’s a crowd-pleaser that is both filling and customizable—everyone can top their bowl just the way they like!
The Secret Behind the Creamy Enchilada Chili Base
This recipe’s creamy base blends your favorite red enchilada sauce with cream cheese or sour cream, creating a silky texture you won’t find in ordinary chili. Simply add your choice of beans, corn, and cooked shredded chicken, and let everything simmer together for flavors that meld in no time.
How to Build Fast, Flavorful Chili Layers
Start by sautéing onions and garlic for that essential aroma, then add cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika for depth. Toss in your enchilada sauce, broth, and vegetables. The key is to gently stir in the dairy component at the end—this ensures the chili stays smooth and creamy without curdling.
Serving Suggestions for a Can’t-Miss Weeknight Chili
Pair your creamy enchilada chili with tortilla chips, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, diced avocados, and a smattering of fresh cilantro or green onions. It’s an ideal recipe for serving buffet-style, letting everyone customize with their favorite chili toppings—making it a fun option for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe makes about 6 hearty servings. Each bowl is satisfying, coming in around 400 to 450 calories per serving, depending on your toppings and dairy choices. It’s a balanced dinner, packed with protein and fiber.
Recipe Recap: Creamy Comfort in a Hurry
With just a handful of ingredients and a single pot, this Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili is perfect for busy weeknights. The creamy texture and bold flavors make it a standout choice that everyone at the table will ask for again and again.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, and chili powder; sauté for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add enchilada sauce, broth, black beans, pinto beans, corn, and shredded chicken; stir well.
- Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and mix in cream cheese (or sour cream) until melted and the chili thickens to a creamy consistency—about 5–7 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Ladle chili into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings such as cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, green onions, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili is a gem for meal preppers: it stores beautifully for leftovers, and the flavors deepen after a night in the fridge. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal plan to easily organize your dinners and get precise shopping lists that combine ingredients from all your planned meals.
**Planning Benefits:**
- Automatically totals ingredient amounts across recipes, so you always buy exactly what you need
- Keeps your shopping list tidy by grouping everything by grocery aisle
- Avoids duplicate shopping and missed items, saving you trips to the store
- Simplifies meal prep—spend less time planning and more time enjoying your home-cooked meals
Pro tip: When using CookifyAI for planning, your shopping list will recognize if you’re using similar ingredients across several dinners (like beans or chicken) so you’ll always know exactly how much to buy. This helps you minimize waste and maximize value from every grocery run!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Give this Quick Creamy Enchilada Chili a try for a fast, creamy, and utterly satisfying weeknight dinner—and let CookifyAI streamline your meal planning and shopping!
