Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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This copycat McAlister’s tortilla soup is so easy to make at home. It can be made in just 30 minutes! It is a delicious and comforting soup that is loaded with flavor.

Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (1)

I love McAlister’s Deli but I was so sad when the one close to our house closed down. I recently made a copycat recipe for their amazing sweet tea and now I’ve recreated their delicious tortilla soup.

Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (2)

My family loved this McAlister’s copycat tortilla soup. It was a huge hit and it was super easy to make. I was able to make this recipe in about 30 minutes which in my book is pretty awesome.

Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (3)

If you’re a McAlister’s fan, let me know in the comments below what other copycat recipes you’d like to see!

Jump to:
  • What ingredients do I need to make this tortilla soup?
  • What toppings should I use?
  • How to store this soup
  • Tips for making this soup
  • How do I make this copycat tortilla soup?
  • Copycat McAlister’s Tortilla Soup

What ingredients do I need to make this tortilla soup?

To make this copycat tortilla soup, you will need:

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Chicken broth
  • Cream of chicken
  • Shredded rotisserie chicken
  • Canned creamed corn
  • Canned diced tomatoes
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Half and half
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (for topping)
  • Tortilla strips (for topping)
  • Cilantro (for topping)
  • Salt and pepper

What toppings should I use?

McAlister’s tops their tortilla soup with cilantro and shredded cheese. I also added tortilla strips, fresh avocado, and a little sour cream to my version.

How to store this soup

You can store this tortilla soup in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips for making this soup

  • I recommend salting this recipe to taste since the salt content of broth, rotisserie chicken, and beans can vary.
  • Try topping your tortilla soup with fresh avocado, pico de gallo, and tortilla strips.
  • Try adding a bit of fresh squeezed lime to your soup.

How do I make this copycat tortilla soup?

To make this copycat McAlister’s tortilla soup, first gather and then measure out your ingredients. You will need:

  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 carton of chicken broth or stock (about 32 ounces)
  • 1 can of cream of chicken (about 10.5 ounces)
  • 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 can of creamed corn (about 14.75 ounces)
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes (about 14.5 ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup of half and half
  • Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot or dutch oven, melt the butter on low and then add the garlic and onion. Move the heat to medium and saute until the onions begin to brown. Reduce the heat and then add the remaining ingredients except for the half and half. Stir well. Let simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. Reduce the heat and stir in the half and half. Top with shredded cheese and other desired toppings such as sour cream, fresh avocado, tortilla strips, fresh lime juice, and pico de gallo.

Other copycat recipes:

  • Copycat McAlister’s Mac and Cheese
  • Copycat McAlister’s Chili
  • Copycat McAlister’s Sweet Tea
  • Copycat McAlister’s Club Sandwich
  • Copycat Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Copycat Potbelly Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (10)

Copycat McAlister’s Tortilla Soup

Audrey

This copycat McAlister's tortilla soup is so easy to make at home. It can be made in just 30 minutes! It is a delicious and comforting soup that is loaded with flavor.

4.91 from 30 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 324 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot or dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 carton chicken broth or stock about 32 ounces
  • 1 can cream of chicken about 10.5 ounces
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 can creamed corn about 14.75 ounces
  • 1 can diced tomatoes about 14.5 ounces
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 cup half and half
  • salt and pepper to taste

For topping (optional)

  • shredded Monterey Jack
  • sliced avocado
  • tortilla strips
  • sour cream
  • pico de gallo

Instructions

  • In a large pot or dutch oven, melt the butter on low and then add the garlic and onion.

  • Move the heat to medium and saute until the onions begin to brown.

  • Reduce the heat and then add the remaining ingredients except for the half and half. Stir well.

  • Let simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. Reduce the heat and stir in the half and half.

  • Top with shredded cheese and other desired toppings such as sour cream, fresh avocado, tortilla strips, fresh lime juice, and pico de gallo.

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 324kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 26gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 749mgPotassium: 649mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 812IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 2mg

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Comments

  1. Emily

    Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (12)
    This was delicious and definitely reminded me of McAllister’s! I edited the recipe slightly because I prefer spicier so I used Rotel instead of diced tomatoes. I also thought the full cup of half & half really diluted the flavor so I added more chicken broth, next time I would do maybe half a cup of half & half.

    Reply

  2. Betsy

    Have you ever added black beans to this? also curious about freezing it. Looks delicious! cant wait to try!

    Reply

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Copycat McAlister's Tortilla Soup {easy 30 minute recipe} (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken tortilla soup broth? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken chicken tortilla soup. To do so, create a slurry by combining equal parts flour and cold water. Whisk the slurry into the soup gradually, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness is achieved.

What is tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup actually is an authentic Mexican dish. The traditional soup is made with chicken broth, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chiles, and fried tortilla strips. There are also variations of the soup, like ones that include beans.

How many calories are in a cup of chicken tortilla soup from Mcalister's? ›

Chicken Tortilla
CaloriesTotal FatProtein
20087

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Does adding flour to broth make it thicker? ›

You can also use flour or cornflour to thicken a soup. Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer.

Can I eat soup left out overnight? ›

So, yeah: Toss that soup that sat out overnight. Now, to the question of whether or not boiling it will kill off these bugs -- that might be technically true, but it comes with a big caveat. To be completely safe, you'll have to boil the soup vigorously for 10 minutes.

What is the significance of tortilla soup? ›

Without a doubt the tortilla soup is one of the most representative dishes of the Mexican gastronomy. Its origin is attributed to the state of Tlaxcala (soil of maize) and the dish represents the fusion of the Prehispanic and Spanish cultures.

What country is tortilla soup from? ›

Although the exact origin of tortilla soup is unknown, it is known that it comes from the Mexico City area in Mexico. Traditional tortilla soup is made with chicken broth combined with roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, chiles and tortillas, cut into strips and fried.

How to make tortillas taste like restaurant? ›

10 Tips For Making Store-Bought Tortillas Taste Restaurant...
  1. Char them. ...
  2. Toast them in the oven. ...
  3. Fry them. ...
  4. Add water before warming. ...
  5. Steam them to keep them moist. ...
  6. Heat flour tortillas in butter. ...
  7. If you must use a microwave, wrap tortillas in plastic or a damp towel. ...
  8. Heat in large batches in the oven.
Jul 10, 2023

How long is leftover tortilla soup good for? ›

Fresh cilantro

And I always serve this soup with lime wedges for squeezing! Store leftover tortilla soup, separately from its toppings, for up to 4 days in the fridge. It also freezes well.

How big is a bowl of soup at McAlister's? ›

Soups can be served as an entree, half of your meal, or a side. Served in 32oz containers, soups come with individual bowls, utensils and crackers.

Does McAlister's chicken tortilla soup have dairy? ›

Heads Up! The Chicken Tortilla, Country Potato, and Tomato Bisque soups do contain dairy. Soup availability might vary by location. The Croutons also contain milk.

How fattening is chicken tortilla soup? ›

​Calories:​ One cup of chicken tortilla soup has 140 calories. ​Total fat​:​ One cup of chicken tortilla soup has 6 grams of total fat, which includes 2 grams of saturated fat and 0 grams of trans fat.

What is the easiest way to thicken broth? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

How do you thicken soup with masa harina? ›

Masa harina is an especially effective thickener, so start with a small amount — say, 1 tablespoon each water and masa harina per 3 cups of chili. It can take a few moments for masa harina to work its magic, so let the chili simmer, stirring often, for about five minutes, and then check its consistency.

How do I thicken my taco soup? ›

Add Cornstarch or Flour

If you want to thicken up your taco soup quickly, cornstarch or flour could be your best friends. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch or flour with equal parts water in a small bowl until smooth.

How do you thicken broth without cornstarch or flour? ›

Foods like rice, bread, potatoes and beans are naturally high in starches, which, when broken down, act as a thickening agent. With rice, the grains will break down into the soup as it's simmered and stirred, releasing the starches and thickening the soup.

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