By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on October 4, 2023 | Last Updated on February 24, 2024
Embrace the essence of McAlister’s renowned Chicken Tortilla Soup with this irresistible copycat recipe. This soup is a symphony of succulent chicken, colorful veggies, and a richly seasoned broth, garnished with crispy tortilla strips. Ideal for a warming meal at home or as a crowd-pleaser at social gatherings, this interpretation of McAlister’s classic dish is set to become a go-to in your culinary repertoire.
So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and recreate this beloved McAlister’s classic, delivering restaurant-quality flavors from your stovetop. Let’s dive into the delicious world of McAlister’s Chicken Tortilla Soup, one spoonful at a time.
What is Mcalister’s copycat chicken tortilla soup?
McAlister’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup is a copycat version of the popular restaurant chain McAlister’s delicious soup. It has origins in Tex-Mex cuisine and is composed of tomatoes, peppers, chicken broth, garlic, onion, oregano, cilantro, and a variety of spices. This soup incorporates flavorful ingredients like chicken, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and spices to create a hearty meal that can be enjoyed any time of year.
This recipe is quick and easy to make, resulting in a delicious soup that can be served as a meal or an appetizer. Its popularity stems from its rich flavor and its ability to be made with ingredients typically found in any kitchen. It’s a great way to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of soup that has all the flavors of your favorite restaurant dish, without having to leave home! It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.
This dish also offers plenty of opportunities for customization, so feel free to add your favorite ingredients and flavors!
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Ingredients
Butter: Butter is used as a base for sautéing the onions and garlic. It adds a rich, creamy flavor to the dish and helps to blend the flavors of the other ingredients.
Yellow Onion: Onion provides a sweet and savory depth to the dish. It’s an essential base flavor for many recipes and helps to build a strong flavor foundation.
Mexican-style cheese blend: This adds a creamy texture and a blend of flavors that complement the spices and other ingredients. The cheese also helps to thicken the soup.
Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup: This soup provides a rich, creamy base that adds depth and body to the recipe. It also complements the shredded chicken and enhances the overall chicken flavor.
Minced Garlic: Garlic adds a robust, aromatic flavor that infuses throughout the dish. It’s a common ingredient in many cuisines and adds a distinct taste to the soup.
Chili Powder: Chili powder provides a spicy kick that adds complexity to the dish. It complements the other spices and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: This is the main protein source in the dish. It adds substance and heartiness to the soup, making it more filling. The rotisserie preparation also adds a smoky flavor.
Chicken Broth: The broth provides the liquid base for the soup. It adds flavor and helps to distribute the tastes of the other ingredients evenly throughout the dish.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the soup. It helps to balance the spices and adds a smooth texture.
Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the chili powder and other spices. It’s a key ingredient in Mexican cuisine.
Paprika: Paprika adds a sweet and smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste. It also gives the soup a vibrant color.
Chopped Cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, herbal note that balances the rich, creamy elements of the soup. It also provides a pop of color.
Chopped Green Chiles: These add a spicy kick and a distinct taste that complements the other ingredients. They also contribute to the Mexican-inspired flavor profile of the soup.
Crushed Tomatoes: They add a tangy sweetness and a bit of acidity to balance out the richness of the cream and cheese. They also contribute to the soup’s texture.
White Wine Vinegar: The vinegar adds a touch of acidity that brightens the flavors of the soup. It helps to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in the soup. It helps to give the soup a more substantial, creamy texture.
Salt: Salt is essential for bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients. It enhances the overall taste of the soup.
Directions
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Heat the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven on medium heat. This means you let it become all liquid and bubbly in the pot.
Step 2: Cook the Onions and Garlic
Once the butter has melted, put the onions and garlic in the pot. Cook them until they turn kind of see-through, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add a Bunch of Stuff
Put in the cheese blend, cream of chicken soup, chili powder, cumin, paprika, minced garlic, shredded chicken, and chicken broth. Mix it all together until it’s blended, and then let it start bubbling a little.
Step 4: Mix in More Ingredients
Now, lower the heat and add the heavy cream, cilantro, green chiles, tomatoes, white wine vinegar, and cornstarch. Stir everything together until it’s mixed up well.
Step 5: Let It Simmer
Keep it on low heat and let it simmer (which means just barely bubbling) for about 15 minutes. This helps the soup get a bit thicker, and the chicken cooks through.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Try a little bit of the soup and see if it needs more salt. If it does, add some.
Step 7: Serve with Toppings
Serve it while it’s still hot, and you can add things like tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, or anything else you like on top.
Notes
- You can substitute the Mexican-style cheese blend with any shredded cheese of your choice.
- To make this soup vegan, substitute the butter with oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Feel free to adjust the spices and herbs to taste. You can also add other ingredients, such as black beans or jalapenos, for extra flavor.
- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat when ready to serve.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
Storage Tips
This soup can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, transfer the cooled soup to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Be sure to stir occasionally while reheating to ensure an even consistency. Please note that proper storage is essential to eprovidethe best flavor and safety of the soup.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Serving this McAlister’s copycat chicken tortilla soup can transform it from a simple dish to a truly memorable meal. Here are some elaborate serving suggestions:
- Bread Pairing: Since this is a hearty, comforting soup, it pairs well with warm cornbread or crusty bread on the side. The bread can be used to soak up all the delicious flavors of the soup, ensuring none of them go to waste.
- Add Crunch: To add an extra dimension to the texture, consider topping the soup with crunchy tortilla strips or crumbled tortilla chips. This will provide a delightful contrast to the creamy soup and make every spoonful more exciting.
- Heat It: If you enjoy spicy foods, you can top the soup with sliced jalapenos or sprinkle extra chili powder. This will give the soup a spicy kick that heats your palate and complements the rich flavors of the soup.
- Creamy Contrast: For those who prefer a milder flavor, adding a dollop of sour cream or some sliced avocado can provide a cool, creamy contrast to the spiciness of the soup. These additions also contribute additional layers of flavor that make the soup even more delicious.
- Fresh Topping: Finally, consider garnishing the soup with freshly chopped cilantro. This not only adds a pop of color to the dish but also introduces a burst of fresh flavor that brightens up the overall taste of the soup.
What other substitute can I use in Mcalister’s copycat chicken tortilla soup?
You can substitute the Mexican-style cheese blend with any shredded cheese of your choice, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Gouda. You can also use vegan alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, or a plant-based cheese. To make this soup vegan, substitute the butter with oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Additionally, feel free to adjust the spices and herbs to taste and add other ingredients, such as black beans or jalapenos, for extra flavor.
Mcalister’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch acting as a thickening agent to give the sauce a smooth and creamy consistency.
- 1 clove of minced garlic to infuse a delightful, pungent note throughout the sauce.
- 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika bringing a warm and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin adding an earthy and slightly nutty taste that complements the other spices.
- 1/2 of a 14.5-ounce can of crushed tomatoes undrained, providing a rich and robust tomato base for the sauce.
- 16 ounces 2 cups of chicken broth, divided, creating a flavorful and aromatic liquid base for the sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt more or less to taste, seasoning the dish and enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients.
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream at room temperature, adding a luxurious and indulgent creaminess to the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of butter melting into a velvety and smooth base for the sauce.
- 1/2 cup of shredded Mexican-style cheese blend at room temperature, melting into the sauce to create a rich and gooey texture.
- 2 ounces 1/2 can of chopped green chiles, undrained, providing a mild and tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- 1/4 yellow onion minced finely to release its sweet and aromatic flavor, adding depth to the dish (approximately 1/4 cup).
- 1/2 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken adding a tender and flavorful protein component to the dish.
- 1/4 tablespoon of cilantro, chopped adding a fresh and vibrant herbal note to the sauce.
- 1/2 tablespoon of white wine vinegar offering a tangy and acidic touch that balances the richness of the sauce.
- 1/2 of a 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken condensed soup imparting a creamy and savory element to the sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder lending a subtle heat and smoky undertones to the dish.
Instructions
- Turn up the heat to medium-high, bring it to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Heat butter in a medium-sized stockpot over medium heat until it melts evenly.
- Sauté minced onion and garlic until they turn soft, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Allow it to cool slightly, then gradually stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese until fully melted.
- Add chili powder, paprika, cumin, crushed tomatoes, and 3 ½ cups of chicken broth.
- Combine cornstarch with the remaining ½ cup of chicken broth in a small bowl and then add it to the pot.
- Return the pot to heat, mix in, and let it simmer for a0 minutes.
- Serve the soup in bowls and garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute the Mexican-style cheese blend with any shredded cheese of your choice.
- To make this soup vegan, substitute the butter with oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Feel free to adjust the spices and herbs to taste. You can also add other ingredients, such as black beans or jalapenos, for extra flavor.
- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat when ready to serve.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
FAQs
Q. Is this soup gluten-free?
A. Yes, this McAlister’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup is naturally gluten-free as it does not contain any wheat or barley-based ingredients. However, always check the labels of the broth and spices you are using to make sure they are certified gluten-free.
Q. Can I make this soup ahead of time?
A. Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat when ready to serve. Alternatively, you can freeze the soup as well and defrost it overnight before reheating it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Be sure to stir occasionally while reheating to ensure an even consistency.
Conclusion
McAlister’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delicious, hearty soup that makes for an easy and satisfying meal. It combines all the classic flavors of Mexican cuisine with succulent chicken and plenty of vegetables – perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals.
This recipe is also very versatile, so feel free to adjust the spices, herbs, and other ingredients according to your taste preference. With this easy-to-follow guide, you can make a delicious bowl of McAlister’s Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup in no time!
Also, share your favorite toppings and serving suggestions in the comments below!
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
