It’s officially spring, but the weather has been a little uncooperative this year! It’s still so chilly in the Philadelphia area. Although I’m looking forward to the warmer weather, more chilly weather does means at least one good thing: I can still enjoy my soup!
A few weeks ago, I tried Chick-fil-A’s tortilla soup for the first time. I believe it’s a limited time item? I’ve tasted other tortilla soups and have to say that I wasn’t a big fan so I didn’t have really high hopes. I was pleasantly surprised! Their version is much creamier than other versions I’ve tried and it is spicy without being too spicy. It’s also heavy on the beans, kind of like a chicken chili – I really enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much so that I set out to recreate the soup at home, especially since I’m trying to add more fiber rich foods to my diet.
I didn’t have much luck finding a copycat recipe online so I created my own version and was really happy with the results. I purchased a small bowl from Chick-fil-A to do a side-by-side taste test after my version was finished. My husband also tried both versions and was very complimentary.
Although they tasted quite similar, the homemade soup was much more flavorful and had a much “fresher” taste compared to the fast food version. I suppose that shouldn’t be surprising.
This soup is comfort food that’s actually healthy. Yay! Now, that’s definitely a good thing!
Although I opted to eat the soup plain, it would be even better topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and/or tortilla strips.
chicken tortilla soup
Ingredients
- White beans (Northern or Navy), 32 ounces (2 cans), drained and rinsed
- Black beans , 1 cup (about 1/2 can) drained and rinsed
- Corn , 1 cup (about 1/2 can)
- Green chili peppers , diced (1 small 4.5 ounce can)
- Chicken broth , 3 to 4 cups
- Red bell pepper , 1/2 large, finely diced
- Celery , 1 medium stick, finely diced
- Onion , 1 medium, finely diced
- Garlic , 2 cloves finely minced (or 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- Canola oil , 2 tablespoons
- Sour cream , 4 tablespoons
- Corn flour (Masa - see photo), 4 tablespoons
- Salt , 1 teaspoon or to taste
- Chili powder , 2 tablespoons
- Cumin , 1 tablespoon
- Fresh lemon juice , 2 tablespoons
- Chicken , 2 small breasts, cooked and shredded
- Tortilla chips , optional to serve
Instructions
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In a large dutch oven, heat canola oil over medium high heat and add onion, celery and garlic and heat until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes
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Add white beans, black beans, corn, green chilis, bell pepper, and chicken broth to the pot and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
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Add sour cream and continue heating for 1 minute
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Add corn flour, salt, chili powder, cumin, and lemon juice and continue heating for 15 minutes
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Check seasonings, adding more if needed.
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Add shredded chicken and continue cooking until chicken is heated, about 2 more minutes
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Serve with tortilla strips/chips (optional)
Recipe Notes
This soup does not freeze well (if gets very gritty when defrosted); if you'd like to freeze, leave out the corn flour and add it when you rewarm the soup.
The soup is amazing, my husband loved it with no complaints. My question is, I felt it was a little gritty/ chalky like the dry spices/corn flour didn’t mix well, what could I be doing wrong? I hope my description of what I am tasting makes sense.
Yes, it could be because the cornmeal (ie, masa) was coarse grind, next time maybe try a finer ground cornmeal. I find that the texture gets better over time (a few hours to overnight)
I’ve learned from other recipes that you can mix plain tortilla chips into the soup. Not sure why you couldn’t even use plain tortillas (not chips). As they dissolve, it thickens the soup. I’m getting ready to try this recipe, so think I will try that.
I have everything that I need except the Mass. Is there a substitution or what happens if I leave it out?
I would say maybe use cornmeal in its place? I think a reader used cornchips…the corn flour (masa) thickens it up so I wouldn’t skip it.
I put the oil and chili powder and 1/2c broth in instant pot and cooked for 16 min on manual. Removed and proceeded with the steps she has listed. For second step I cooked on manual 30 minutes, it might not have needed that long but I had a double batch going. Then I did the rest of the soup just using simmer. I’m not an IP expert so there might be a better way to do it. I just really wanted to infuse the flavor into that chicken breast and it did.
Made this for my Bible study group and it was a huge hit! Made exactly according to recipe. I’ve had other CTS recipes that were good but this one is AMAZING!
I made it in my instant pot doing the steps as close as I could to the recipe directions. Perfect!
This looks great! Could anyone provide instant pot or slow cooker instructions?
I thought this was good, but not the same as CFA – not as creamy and definitely not as spicy.
But, the best of the copy cat recipes available.
I will keep the recipe & make again, but will still need to visit CFA for the real thing!
I usually do not write reviews of recipes I try because I change the ingredients to our tastes. But i made this as written with the exception of all the chili powder. I just used a little less than two teaspoons. This soup is awesome! I think it is actually better than chick filet soup.thank you for posting this. Now I don’t have to go spend five dollars for a bowl of my favorite soup! Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes. Even my husband who does not like soup, ate a whole bowl.
That’s great! I love a good soup too! And I always change recipes too so I know what you mean…although I don’t for baked goods.
Most excellent recipe.
Thank you!
I LOVE this soup!! Pretty darn close to Chick-fil-a’s. This recipe is definitely a keeper
We had a CFA open near us in Dec. and I tried their Tortilla Soup and I was in love. I stop there every week at least once a week to have this soup. So I decided I have to make it. Went online and found several recipes and yours seems like the closest to the real thing and after reading the reviews, I will definitely be using your recipe.
Made this the other day and it was delicious! Followed recipe with just a little extra spice. Will definitely be making again, thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks, Kristee! We have been having cold weather – perfect time for this soup.
This is my favorite copycat recipe. All of the others I have tried have been a pinterest fail, but this one is my favorite thing that I cook ever! My husband even likes it and he doesn’t eat soup!
You hit it out of the park with this recipe! Perfection! We have a Chick fil A here and this taste the same! Thank you for helping me look good in the kitchen.
I, too, am a fan of Chick fil A Tortilla Soup, and look for it every fall, and am disappointed when its gone in the spring ! This recipe is an excellent replica of it. Thanks for sharing !
I love CFA’s chicken tortilla soup and I plan to try this recipe soon! I was wondering why lemon juice instead of lime? Have you ever made it with lime juice? Sorry to question – it’s just that southwestern recipes usually call for the lime. Thoughts appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Rayna – I think lime would be work well, but given the small amount I’m not sure that there’d be a big difference. I used lemon because I usually have them on hand but if you have limes, I’d say go for it!
That makes sense! Thanks so much for responding to my question!
This was so easy to put together and tastes better than Chick Fil A’s version! Thank you!!!
I just made this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing…it is absolutely delicious…and better that the CFA version. Yum!!!
Wow. This recipe is amazing. I cooked 4 frozen chicken breasts in 1 c. chicken broth and 2 T. chili powder for 6 hours in the Crock Pot, then cut it up and added it to your recipe. The only thing I changed was adding HOT green chili peppers. Love this recipe!!
Ooooh! I think I’d like the addition of hot green chili peppers too! Great tip
This recipe is so good! My family kept wanting more! I love that I can now have my favorite chicken tortilla soup right at home. It’s delicious
My husband made this last week and everyone loved it so much I made it again this evening. I also agree with the other ladies, I think this is way better than CFA’s. My boys that don’t like soup even at 2 bowls. Thanks for sharing.
Made this tonight with a vegetarian twist…used vegetable broth and didn’t add chicken. It is fantastic! Will also make with chicken… really great interpretation! Even better!
Do you know the total nutrition per serving and what is the serving size?
Unfortunately I stopped trying to calculate nutrition because you are often required to input certain brands of ingredients (which can make a big difference) and I didn’t want to provide any misleading information) See this link to copy and paste ingredients: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
Tara- when you make it in the crock pot do you add the sour cream last? And what about the masa? I was going to try the crock pot next time also
My sister made this soup last year and raved about it. I have had the chick fil a soup once this season and just want it ALL the time! So I made your recipe tonight!!! Oh my word!!! I LOVED it, my kids ate it, and my husband loved it!! Thank you!
Small note- I doubled my recipe (bc I wanted to freeze some and have leftovers) so I added more broth also to keep it soupy!
glad you liked it! I’m going to double mine next time – great idea!
How do you freeze yours?
I would just place it in a food grade quart container. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Storage-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00M9Z4SV6/ref=lp_13880481_1_20?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1417225702&sr=1-20
This is by far the BEST chicken tortilla soup recipe out there. I absolutely love CFA’s chicken tortilla soup and was looking for a copy cat recipe because I was finding myself stopping there everyday to get some. I made this and my family was in heaven. My husband and a bunch of his guy friends do a guys camping trip every year and this soup was requested. I made two huge crock pots of the soup and it was GONE the first night! (There is 30+ guys or so who go on the trip). Every time I make this I do it in the crock pot. Slow cook it all day and the flavors really come together. My husband likes to top his with a little shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Then he dips tortilla chips in it. AMAZING!!! Thank you for this recipe, it’s become a staple in our home!
What a nice complement! Glad u all like it..I’m gonna try the crockpot good thinking!
For some reason it only gave 1 star. It should have been 5+ stars!
Love this soup! Making it tonight for our church Halloween party. The only thing is I don’t know where to get tortilla strips. My next stop will be at a specialty store. Thanks for sharing this! Carolyn
the salad isle, near the croutons
By far the best soup I have made. Everyone loved it and tasted better than the chickfila version.
I’m glad to hear it! Enjoy:)
Thanks so much for this recipe. Read it wrong and only bought one can of Norther beans, so I had to use cannelinni beans that I already had as well. Don’t think any bean swap (in a pinch) would mess this up. Other than that unintentional tweak, I didn’t change a thing…whole family loved it. Passing it onto friends!
thanks, Denise! Glad you liked it. I always swap beans too – good point!
It may be 80 degrees in NC but I have a pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup on the stove. My whole family loves this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it.
LOL, Valerie – I love soup in all kinds of weather too. I was just thinking the same although it’s not too hot here yet.
Wonderful! Everyone in our house loved it and they all thought it was better than the CFA version because it isn’t as spicy. The only change I made was using Realemon because I didn’t have the lemon I thought I had. Making a double batch today to share with family.
Double batch is a good idea:)
Do you think this could work in a crock pot? If so, what changes do you think should be made to accommodate the longer cooking time and lower heat? I have a pot luck at work next week and would love to try this. Thanks.
Good question…I wish I could answer but I’m just not sure. On one hand, I don’t think extended cooking could hurt since it’s mostly beans, and I don’t believe they are easily overcooked but, the specific settings and cooking time would depend on the power of of your slow cooker.
Thanks for an awesome recipe!! Making it for the 2nd time today! I actually make it in my crockpot 🙂 way better than Chic fil A! Cold here in Delaware!
Good idea! I’ll have to make a batch this week and try the crockpot. Cold here too!
I look forward to the Chick fil A tortilla soup every winter. This year, I couldn’t wait so I started looking for recipes. I will say that this tastes 100% just like Chick fil A’s soup but fresher like others said. It will be a staple in our household. My husband and I gobbled up the entire pot in two days. It was THAT good. Our local Chick fil A just brought back their soup for the winter. I got a cup yesterday. It was delicious but not as good as this recipe. You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks so much Heather! I hope you’re keeping warm with that soup – it’s in the single digits here today in the Philadelphia area..Brrrr!
I had a cup for lunch! I’m in the same cold boat here in Maryland! Brrr is right!
My family walked in when I was making this and could smell the aroma from the front door. They stayed at the kitchen counter until it was dished out. I made a double recipe so we could have some to share and freeze. It never made it. They ate the rest for breakfast the next morning. 🙂 It smells and tastes so wonderful!
LOL – that’s great!
I love the soup from chick fil and have been wary about trying a copycat of the original recipe. This absolutely did not disappoint – tastes just like the original worth a fresher kick, and the fact that I made it myself makes it taste even better! Thank you so much!
Note to people who can’t find or don’t have masa – I smashed plain tortilla chips in a cereal bowl with the bottom of a shot glass until it looked like 6 tbsp of panko, mixed in 2 tbsp flour, and got my 4 tbsp (and some extra for thickening later). Mix it in slowly or it will clump up, but it did the job and added the intended flavor (much better than using regular flour).
Hi Megan – thanks for sharing the tip on using tortilla chips in place of masa (corn) flour:)
Yes, and many of my co-workers too! Thank you so much for your posting!
OMG, this is the best soup or chicken chili ever. I have made it three times now and it just gets better and better. Don’t be afraid to try, it’s quick and easy and tastes better than the one they sell at Chick-Fil-A!! Cheaper too.
So glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t made it yet this year but will be soon
New favorite homemade soup!! Made this soup on Friday and it was exactly like Chick-fil-a’s version!!! I substituted the corn flour with crushed Tostitos tortilla chips and It seemed to make up for it! I couldn’t find the corn flour anywhere!!
I drained my beans before adding them… did you drain yours? or did you just add the whole can? I added more broth to thin it out a little once it was done.
So glad you liked it! I love this soup too. Next time, try looking in the ethnic aisle of your grocery store? It’s usually labeled “Masa” flour over here but it sounds like you used a good substitute!
Yup -I always drain my beans. I should clarify that in the instructions…
Man, I love this soup sooo much! I wish it wasn’t limited time only! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Glad you like it! I do too:)
This looks great! I had wanted to try this, but there no Chick-fil-a’s near us and I didn’t realize they served it until after I had ordered on vacation.
Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by:)
Chick fil a’s Tortilla Soup is AMAZING! This is close.