Ultimate Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Ultimate Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delightful homage to the beloved McAlister's recipe. Packed with rich flavors and creamy textures, it's the perfect comfort food for any day. This soup features tender chicken, vibrant salsa, and a medley of spices that come together in a creamy broth, topped with crispy tortilla chips and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Whether you're making it for a family dinner or entertaining guests, this soup is sure to impress everyone at the table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
onion
1 (chopped)
margarine
3 tablespoons (melted)
all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (none)
chicken broth
3 (14-ounce) cans (none)
half-and-half
4 cups (none)
condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can (none)
salsa
1 cup (none)
creamed corn
1 (15-ounce) can (none)
cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 (shredded or diced)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
fajita seasoning mix
2 1/2 tablespoons (none)
fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons (chopped, divided)
tortilla chips
16 ounces (crumbled)
Monterey Jack cheese
8 ounces (shredded)
green onion
1/8 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the margarine. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2
Sprinkle in the flour and stir thoroughly to combine, cooking for an additional minute to form a roux.
3
Gradually pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a boil. Reduce the heat to low.
4
Stir in the condensed cream of chicken soup, salsa, creamed corn, shredded cooked chicken, ground cumin, fajita seasoning mix, and 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro. Stir until well combined and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
5
To serve, crumble tortilla chips into individual bowls. Sprinkle half an ounce of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the chips in each bowl. Ladle the hot soup over the chips and cheese.
6
Finish by adding more crumbled tortilla chips, another half ounce of cheese, the remaining tablespoon of cilantro, and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Enjoy your delicious bowl of chicken tortilla soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Ultimate Chicken Tortilla Soup is a creamy and rich comfort food dish inspired by the famous McAlister's recipe, featuring chicken, salsa, and a blend of spices.
What are the primary flavors of this soup?
The soup features a blend of ground cumin, fajita seasoning, fresh cilantro, and vibrant salsa in a creamy chicken broth base.
How many garlic cloves are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What type of fat is used to sauté the vegetables?
3 tablespoons of melted margarine are used to sauté the garlic and onion.
How do you thicken the soup base?
A roux is created by adding 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the sautéed margarine, garlic, and onion.
What liquids are used for the broth?
The broth consists of 3 (14-ounce) cans of chicken broth and 4 cups of half-and-half.
Does this recipe use condensed soup?
Yes, it includes one 10 3/4-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken soup for added creaminess.
What kind of corn is used in this recipe?
One 15-ounce can of creamed corn is added to the soup.
How should the chicken be prepared before adding it to the pot?
The recipe requires 3 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts that are shredded or diced.
What amount of salsa is recommended?
One cup of salsa is added to the soup mixture.
What spices are used to season the soup?
The soup is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of ground cumin and 2 1/2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning mix.
How is the cilantro used in the recipe?
3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro are used; 2 tablespoons are stirred into the soup while simmering, and the remaining 1 tablespoon is used for garnish.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once all the main ingredients are combined, the soup should simmer for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
How are the tortilla chips incorporated into the dish?
16 ounces of crumbled tortilla chips are used both as a base in the individual bowls and as a topping.
What type of cheese is suggested for this recipe?
8 ounces of shredded Monterey Jack cheese is recommended for the topping.
How should I assemble each bowl for serving?
Crumble chips into a bowl, sprinkle with cheese, ladle the hot soup over them, then top with more chips, cheese, cilantro, and green onions.
What is the final garnish for the soup?
The soup is finished with chopped green onions and extra fresh cilantro.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
While the recipe specifies margarine, butter is a common substitute for sautéing and making a roux.
What is the texture of this soup?
The soup has a creamy and thick texture thanks to the roux, half-and-half, and cream of chicken soup.
Is the onion chopped or minced?
The recipe calls for one chopped onion.
How much green onion is used for the garnish?
The recipe uses 1/8 cup of chopped green onion.
What temperature should the stove be set to initially?
Start with a large pot over medium heat to melt the margarine and sauté the vegetables.
How do I know when the garlic and onion are ready?
Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant.
At what point should I reduce the heat?
Reduce the heat to low after the broth and half-and-half mixture reaches a boil.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, since the recipe calls for cooked and shredded chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option.
Is this a spicy soup?
The heat level depends on the salsa and fajita seasoning you choose, but it is generally described as vibrant and flavorful rather than overly spicy.
How much cheese goes in the bottom of the bowl?
You should sprinkle half an ounce of cheese over the chips in each bowl before adding the soup.
What size of chicken broth cans should I buy?
The recipe calls for 14-ounce cans of chicken broth.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as a perfect comfort food for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Can I add more spices?
The recipe provides a specific ratio of cumin and fajita seasoning, but you can adjust these to suit your personal preference.