A homemade take on Chick-fil-A’s Chicken Tortilla Soup that tastes even better than the original and that you can enjoy year-round and even on Sundays!
Have y’all tried Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup? I’m obsessed! It’s delicious. The only bummer is that it’s a seasonal menu item that they only sell during the winter months. Why oh why??
I crave soup year-round and since I love their chicken tortilla soup so much, I had to come up with a homemade version before they take it off the menu again.
It’s a hearty yet healthier soup loaded with beans, veggies and chicken with the perfect blend of spices. I was on a mission to recreate its tastiness exactly, but guess what?! I’m pretty confident I made it even tastier. 🙂
Depending on where you live in proximity to a Chick-fil-A, this homemade version might be quicker and easier to make than driving there to get it. Or at least it is for me, especially if I have all four kiddos in tow.
It’s a one pot wonder that can be ready to enjoy in about 20 minutes.
The creaminess of the soup comes from pureeing two cans of cannellini beans along with a can of cream-style corn instead of adding fatty cream or cream of “something” soup. This chicken tortilla soup is packed with protein, fiber, flavor and most importantly comfort.
Since the boys always get chicken nuggets when we go to Chick-fil-A, they had never tried the yumminess that is their chicken tortilla soup. So when I recreated and perfected it at home, they quickly realized what they’ve been missing out on and why Mama is so excited to frequent Chick-fil-A in the winter months. 😉 They love my homemade version and now beg for it, especially with tortilla strips on top!
So get your soup on year-round and save yourself a trip through the drive-thru with this yummy chicken tortilla soup! Enjoy!
xoxo,
Homemade Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6-8
- Category: Main
Description
A homemade take on Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup that tastes even better than the original and that you can enjoy year-round and even on Sundays!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, separated
- 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
- 1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
- 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
- 1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed from bones & shredded (about 4 cups)
- juice of 1 lime
- more salt to taste
- Tortilla strips or chips, for serving
Instructions
- Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Let saute for about 5 minutes until onions become translucent. Stir in cumin, oregano and salt.
- Meanwhile, puree 2 cans of cannellini beans in a blender until smooth. Do not drain beans of liquid before blending.
- Add pureed beans, remaining can of cannellini beans, 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream-style corn, whole kernel corn, black beans, and shredded chicken to onion mixture in pot. (Do not drain any cans of their liquid) Stir to combine. Let soup simmer over medium heat until heated all the way through. Add juice of 1 lime and season with salt to taste before serving. Serve with tortilla strips or chips.
Notes
Feel free to use just white meat from the rotisserie chicken and low sodium canned ingredients, if desired.
Do you know the calories for this is? Looks yummy!
Hi Jeannie! I don’t calculate nutritional values for the recipes on my blog, but you can easily plug the ingredients you use into an online nutrition calculator. Just google “free online nutrition calculator”.
Can you freeze this soup?
Hi Audra! Yes, it freezes great! Just let it cool completely and store it in a sealed, freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, just let it defrost and then heat to enjoy!
You are a Rockstar! This is amazing! Followed your recipe exactly and couldn’tbe happier. Hubby is in heaven as well.
I tried this recipe last night and it was truly excellent! The flavor was spot on and it was super easy to make! Thank you so much!
Hi! Made this tonight to satisfy a craving and it was spot on! The only thing I did differently was add a tsp of Chili Powder (I like a little spice!)
Yay, Casey! So great to hear! I’ve been craving it so much lately too despite the summer heat. Enjoy! 🙂
Delicious! Another keeper, Maegan!
Yay! So happy y’all enjoyed it, Tracy! 🙂 We’re so ready for soup season down her in Dallas. Miss & love y’all! xoxo
Thank you for posting this recipe! I tried it tonight and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to get this soup year round now.
Yay, Andy! I’m so glad you found the recipe and love it as much as we do. It’s our fave! Enjoy! 🙂
I can attest that this recipe is amazing! It tastes just like the real stuff too! And the recipe makes enough for a huge family! I have leftovers for days! I was particularly impressed that the puréed beans thickend it so nicely and didn’t taste weird. Great way to avoid the extra fat from cream. But it tasted so creamy! My only changes were that I used a packet of low sodium taco seasoning instead of the cumin and oregano, and I diced up a jalapeño in on top of the rotel to give it an extra kick, it was delicious! I’m defiantly adding this to my list of favorite recipes.
Yay Heather! So great to hear. Love your adaptations! Isn’t it so similar to CFA and so yummy? Enjoy! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this! On the menu this week!
Enjoy! 🙂
I just tried CFA’s soup for the first time and loved it soooo much…so I looked to google to find a copycat recipe ????
So excited to try your recipe!! So glad I stumbled upon your blog!! Thanks Meagan!!
Isn’t it so yummy, Sarah?! You’re sure to love this easy homemade version. Enjoy! 🙂
Ditto! I am trying it next weekend!
Enjoy! 🙂
You really knocked it out of the ballpark with this recipe. This will definitely be one of my favorite go-to meals. Love, love, loved it!
Yay, Carolyn! I love hearing that! Isn’t it soooo yummy?! Continue to enjoy! 🙂
Meagan, this looks sooo good! One question — most recipes drain and rinse canned beans. Do you use the bean liquid or drain and rinse?
Hi Helen! No, I don’t drain the canned ingredients for this soup. The liquid from the canned ingredients contributes to the flavor and texture of the soup. Enjoy! 🙂
Where van I buy the seasones tortilla strips from chick-fil-a? Or…do you have a recipe for those too? Thanks!
Hi Vickie! You can find them at Target, Walmart or most grocery stores. Usually on the aisle by the salad dressings. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
You can also make your own… Coincidentally, I just had Chic-Fil-A tortilla soup for dinner. (It’s what prompted me to seek the recipe!) The packet of strips with it listed ingredients. Leaving out what can’t be pronounced leaves citric acid and lime “solids,” dehydrated parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder. When eating them, I could definitely taste the lime. I would take regular tortilla chips squirt lime juice on them then sprinkle/toss them with a mixture of parsley flakes (or ground parsley flakes??), onion powder, and garlic powder to taste.
This is so much better than CFA. We love it so much. I was wondering can you freeze this. Thanks in advance.
Hi Julie! Yay, so happy you love it as much as we do! Yes, it freezes great. Just store it in a freezer-safe container. Enjoy!
Hi I was wondering if you have used or know what adjustments would be needed to use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Hi Cara! I haven’t done it myself, but I think it would heat up great in a slow cooker. Just follow the first 2 steps of the recipe instructions as is and add to the slow cooker along with all of the other ingredients. Let heat on low for 3-4 hours. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Wow! That was so good! Didn’t even no have any complaints from the kids. Thanks!
I need to make a baby meal for someone, do u tho i this soup would freeze okay?
Hi Alisha! Yes, it freezes great! I keep a container of it in our freezer at all times for a rainy day when we’re craving it and might not have the ingredients on hand. Such a great dinner to take to a family with a newborn!
Thank you!!! This was SO good. I haven’t had the chik-fil-a version so I can’t compare them. But I’m so glad I made this soup! I didn’t have rotisserie chicken so I cooked some frozen breasts in my instant pot and shredded it in the food processor after the beans. 5 stars from my family and my 1.5 yr old!
This recipe is so spot on and amazing! Thank you so so much for sharing! This is my fiance’s favorite soup so this is totally going to make his night that I found a copy cat recipe!
I recently found your recipe… and because we are a family who needs to stay away from dairy and gluten, this was a godsend – and who could’ve guessed that it would be such a close match to the CFA original?! We love it – THANK YOU!! I shared this link/page on my Facebook page, because it’s amazing!
Hi Ellen! I’m so happy to hear your family loves it as much as we do. Continue to enjoy and thanks for sharing! 🙂
I just finished making this soup. I LOVE it! I put one regular can of Rotel and one of Rotel hot and gave it a nice kick. This soup is AWESOME!
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!! I made this tonight and it is delicious!!! I am a huge fan of Chick-fil-A’s version but truthfully this IS better!!!
The best part is this recipe is WW friendly and extremely low in points!!! We will be eating this a LOT!!!
When you mention cream of corn in the recipe, is that cream of corn soup?
Hi Kyle! It’s canned cream-style corn in the canned vegetable section. I just updated the recipe to clarify. Enjoy!
Great thanks! Just saw this went through so ignore the other comment I added!
I would like to try this but don’t enjoy chunks of tomatoes (it’s a texture thing). Any suggestions?
Hi! You can just leave use two small cans of chopped green chilis instead and leave the tomatoes out. Enjoy!
I absolutely love this recipe as written. I love that it’s healthy and tastes just like CFA’s. I make it often at home and plan to make it for a soup cook-off at the end of this month at work. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for a great, healthy recipe!!
I’m excited to make this. I just had CFA’s soup a few weeks ago and was surprised how good it was. Where do you get the tri-colored chips?
Yay! You’re sure to love it! I find the tri-colored chips at Tom Thumb, Central Market and Target. They’re in a bag near the croutons on the salad dressing aisle or in the fresh produce section. Enjoy!
I’m obsessed with Chick-Fil-A’s soup. Made your recipe tonight and OH. MY. GAWSH. Soooo yummy!!!
I made this the other day, following the recipe exactly, and it was amazing! Super simple, but delicious! My 6-year-old grandson said “Wow! This is not only nutritious, but it’s delicious!” Will definitely be making this again and again!
I made this tonight for a pot luck luncheon at work. I am pretty sure this will be a huge hit! It is so delicious, and taste almost exactly like my favorite soup. No more waiting for the cold seasons, I can now have this year round! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.
Oh,my. This is awesome and worth nearly getting stuck in the snow last night getting the ingredients. I don’t have a bowl of the restaurant’s soup to do a side by side comparison, but I don’t need it. I love this! Thank you.
CFA tortilla soup is my FAVORITE! I’m so happy that I found this. I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but it’s printed and ready to be whipped up tomorrow! I’m SO excited!
Oh girl…. we just became internet besties (don’t tell my other one Tessa) because I really like her too! Lol but thank you for this recipe, I’ve been super sick for weeks and unable to keep much down so when asked what soup I thought I could eat this was all I could think of!!! Thank you ???? thank you ???? thank you ???? and I can’t wait to try it! Don’t worry I will share with Tessa too ????????
I have been so sick with sinus infection and craving this soup. I went to CFA to purchase today and for some reason found it so much spicier than in previous years. I’m hoping person who made it today just put too much spices because I don’t remember it being so spicy. I have four kiddos (4, 6, 11 and 12) they won’t eat it if it’s that spicy. But after reading the comments several kiddos enjoyed this recipe therefore I’m going to try to make it myself. Any suggestions on if I should minimize a certain ingredient so it won’t be as spicy for them?
Hi Marisa! I hear ya. Just make sure you use a mild Rotel and it will for sure not be spicy. I use regular Rotel and all of my kiddos will still eat it, but just to be on the safe side, use the mild can. I hope everyone loves it! 🙂
Most definitely hands down one of the yummiest soups I have made…tastes just like if not better than CFA. Will be adding to my recipe rotation. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious soup recipe.
Looks like a great recipe. It looks even easier than the original. I just watched the video from Chick-fil-A, and they were talking about the ingredients. The red bits are red bell peppers, instead of tomatoes (although I’m sure they’re fine). I also see her sniffing some thyme and parsley or cilantro. Another chef also mentioned sour cream and a “special” type of flour. But, like you, I figured pureeing some beans would add body to the soup. Keep up the good work!
I would love to make this in the Crock Pot. How do I modify this so that I can cook it in the Crock Pot ?
Hi Misty! You could definitely make this recipe in a slow cooker. Just complete step one in a sauté pan and then transfer it to the slow cooker and add all of the remaining ingredients. Then let slow cook on low or high depending on your timing. Enjoy!
I cannot wait to try this recipe. I see another cookbook in your future. It will be filled with all of the great recipes you have been sharing.
Hi! Do you think this could be made in a crockpot? Like add all the ingredients and set on low? Would you add the puréed beans after cooking?
Hi Liz! Absolutely! Just go ahead and add it all to the slow cooker and let heat on low until ready to enjoy!
Hello is it ground cumin or whole?
Hi Douglas! It’s ground cumin. Enjoy!
Made this for dinner, super easy and delicious!
I did change a couple of things put mexi corn in instead of regular corn and a little extra cumin
Love it. Thank you
Oooh, Mexicorn. I wish I’d thought of that! Good tip. 🙂
This soup was was absolutely delicious. My family loved it . thanks so much for sharing!
I just made this and my family is pretty impressed. We kicked it up a notch and added a bit more spice – but I would never have been able to come up with this starting point. Thanks!!
Love this soup….veganized! I sub out the chicken for 2 cans of jackfruit (in brine) rinsed and shredded and marinated in some poultry seasoning and 1-2 t of Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base. I’ve shared it with all of my non-vegan friends and everyone agrees it’s delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!
Can’t wait to make this for my husband- he just asked about a recipe for it…. crazy question??? Where do you get the tortilla strips from??? Thank You!!! XOXOXO
★★★★★
Hi Shell! I get them at Target or most major grocery stores. They’re usually by the salad dressings with the croutons. Here’s the link to them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Q0bCDA Enjoy!
Made this for my family and it was a hit. I wonder if you could can this? I would love to have it on my pantry shelf to be able to grab, heat and eat.
★★★★★
Hi Eileen! So great to hear you and your family enjoy it! I’ve never canned it, but I think it’s certainly worth a try. Here’s a great article with several tips for canning homemade soups: https://www.thekitchn.com/canning-homemad-159576 Enjoy!
Can I sub cannelini for Northern bean?
Hi KH! Yes, they’re interchangeable beans and either works great in this recipe. Enjoy!
Would love for you to try and recreate their chicken noodle soup!!
Hi Danielle! I definitely need to do that. It’s so good too! I’ll add it to my recipe testing list. Stay tuned…
I’m one of those who got excited every year when this was at Chick Fil A. I used to joke with the managers that they need to sell a five gallon container.
Well it hit me that someone had to have figured out the recipe by now!
Well, let me just say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! It was spot on!❤️
★★★★★
We made this recipe tonight and WOW! It came together so easy, was loaded with healthy ingredients, and tasted delicious! We served with a little sprinkle of cheese on top along with the tortillas and it was delicious. This will definitely be a recipe I add into our regular rotation!
★★★★★
I just had CFA chicken tortilla soup . It was soo delicious! I thought there might be a copy cat recipe on the internet. Found yours! I’m making it tomorrow. Thanks for sharing !
We love this recipe! I serve with tortilla strips, chips, and cornbread on the side. This is the time of year for it.
Made it tonight and it is awesome! Will need to add some extra spices to make this spicy, but is an amazing soup nonetheless!!
★★★★
hi i made this and it was very good!! i was wondering if i could use retried beans instead of the blended beans next time since that’s what i have. thanks!
★★★★★
Hi Brooke! Yes, you can definitely use refried beans, but the taste will be more of a pinto bean flavor. Just be sure to stir the refried beans in well so there’s not clumps throughout the soup. Enjoy!
Love this!! Do you have directions for cooking in an Instant Pot?
Hi Deborrah! I haven’t tried it in the Instant Pot because it’s so quick to make on the stovetop. Sorry I can’t be of help with exact instructions and timing for success in the Instant Pot.
While this recipe is very good it tastes nothing like chick-fil-a’s chicken tortilla soup. The Chick-fil-A soup has more of a chili flavor with no tomatoes and pinto beans instead of canellini beans.
★★★★
Any ideas on how to make in the instant pot?
Hi Monica! I haven’t tested the recipe in our instant pot so I couldn’t say for sure. Here’s a good article on converting stovetop soups to the instant pot: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/how-to-convert-a-recipe-from-stove-top-to-instant-pot-with-vegan-recipes/ Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Hi Maegan,
Copycat recipes are my favorite, so I can’t wait to make this soup! I haven’t seen too many copycat Chick-Fil-A recipes out there. I am going to make a pot this weekend for sure. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Love, love, love this soup! I’ve made it multiples times and just came back again to get the recipe to make this week. I figured I’d leave a review because we love it so much! 🙂
★★★★★
Recipe was easy and delicious… very close to Chick-fil-a. I did add in some “Better than Boullion Roasted chicken base” that gave it a little more chicken flavor. Thank you for sharing this.
★★★★★
Absolutely fabulous! I’ve wanted a recipe like CFA’s for some time. Truly enjoyed this recipe and from now on this is my go to chicken tortilla soup recipe. I never post reviews so you made a mark. Great job!
★★★★★
Maegan, I made your soup recipr and it turned out perfect. I used a stick blender for puréeing the cannellini beans—easier cleanup than a blender. And a question: would it alter the taste of the soup if I drained the black beans? I didn’t like how it changed the color of the soup! Thank you for the recipe! I have seven 2-cup containers of soup in my freezer!
★★★★★
Hi Carol! So happy to hear. You can definitely drain and rinse the black beans. It won’t change the overall deliciousness of the soup. Continue to enjoy!
Thank you, Maegan! It was delicious and it freezes and reheats so well without flavor sacrificed!
So happy to hear, Carol! Continue to enjoy!