What’s in Chick-fil-A’s Famous Chicken Tortilla Soup? A Close Look at the Ingredients

Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup has become a cult favorite among fans. This creamy slightly spicy soup is packed with flavor and satisfies cravings. But what exactly is in the chicken tortilla soup at Chick-fil-A? Let’s take a close look at the ingredients that make this soup so delicious.

A Creamy, Comforting Soup Base

The base of Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup starts with a classic chicken broth that provides savory flavor. Heavy cream is added to the broth, giving the soup its signature velvety texture. The cream transforms the broth into a rich, indulgent soup base that coats the palate with its silky smoothness. This creamy base provides comfort with every spoonful.

Tender Shredded Chicken

You can’t have chicken tortilla soup without chicken! Chick-fil-A uses shredded chicken breast as the key protein. The chicken is cooked until fork-tender and then shredded into bite-size pieces This ensures maximum tenderness and allows the chicken to soak up the flavors of the soup The shredded chicken provides substance and heartiness that complements the creamy base.

A Medley of Vegetables

What transforms chicken broth into chicken tortilla soup is the addition of a medley of vegetables. Chick-fil-A’s version includes:

• Diced tomatoes – provide a burst of fresh tomato flavor
• Onions – add savory depth
• Roasted corn – delivers subtle sweetness
• Bell peppers – enhance flavor with notes of grassiness

The vegetables are diced small so they infuse the broth with their flavors and provide texture without overwhelming the soup.

Hearty Beans

No chicken tortilla soup is complete without beans! Chick-fil-A uses a combination of navy and black beans. These healthy legumes add protein and fiber. The navy beans have a mild, earthy flavor while the black beans provide a meatier, more robust taste. Together they create hearty spoonfuls bursting with texture. The beans also release some of their starch into the broth, thickening it slightly.

Toasted Tortilla Strips

A defining feature of Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup is the topping of crunchy tortilla strips. These strips provide textural contrast to the creamy soup. Corn tortillas are cut into strips and fried or toasted until crispy. Their subtle corn flavor and crunchy-meets-chewy texture is an addicting finishing touch. Some locations season the tortilla strips with a blend of spices like garlic powder and cumin.

Tex-Mex Seasonings

To give the soup its signature Tex-Mex flair, Chick-fil-A uses a special blend of spices and seasonings. Ingredients like chili powder, cumin, and paprika add a subtle heat. Onion and garlic provide a flavor foundation. Together, they infuse the broth with a chorus of savory, slightly spicy flavors. Oregano and bay leaf lend earthy notes while a touch of lime juice brightens it up. This spice blend transforms simple chicken soup into a vibrant and addicting chicken tortilla soup.

How the Ingredients Come Together

Chick-fil-A brings all these ingredients together through a methodical process:

• Chicken and vegetables are sauteed in olive oil to coax out moisture and enhance flavor
• Seasonings and broth are added and the mixture is simmered
• Halfway through, the shredded chicken and beans join the party
• Toward the end, heavy cream and lime juice get stirred in to finish it off

This technique allows the ingredients to mingle and marry their flavors. The result is a cohesive, well-balanced soup where no single ingredient overpowers. Instead, each component plays an important role, creating a comforting symphony in your bowl.

Satisfying and Craveable

It’s easy to see why Chick-fil-A’s chicken tortilla soup has achieved its popular following. The interplay of creamy texture, tender chicken, vegetables, beans, and tortilla strips hits all the right notes. It provides warmth, rich flavor, and satisfaction that you crave all winter long.

So next time you order the chicken tortilla soup at Chick-fil-A, appreciate all the care that goes into crafting their crave-worthy recipe. Savor each spoonful, from the velvety base to the final crunch of tortilla strips!