Chicken Tortilla Soup Max and Erma's Copycat

Dive into the comforting flavors of this Chicken Tortilla Soup, inspired by Max & Erma's iconic recipe! This creamy, cheesy soup is a perfect blend of tender shredded chicken, zesty Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, and a luscious base made with chicken broth and half-and-half. Enhanced with a touch of cumin, chili powder, and fresh aromatics, every spoonful is bold and satisfying. Topped with crispy tortilla strips and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this hearty soup is both a crowd-pleaser and a quick, 45-minute meal. Whether you're recreating restaurant nostalgia or looking for a cozy homemade dinner, this copycat recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 2 cups Half-and-half
• 3 cups Cooked chicken, shredded
• 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Tortilla strips
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5

Stir in the half-and-half and return to a gentle simmer. Be sure not to let it boil.

Step 6

Add the shredded chicken, Rotel tomatoes, cheddar cheese, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and the soup is well-combined.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 8

Let the soup simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips and optional chopped cilantro.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2937.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3703.9

Total Fat 208.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 110.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 1110.2mg	0%
Sodium 8312.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.5g	0%
Total Sugars 34.8g
Protein 319.6g	0%

Vitamin D 54.7IU	0%
Calcium 2457.9mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 4383.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.9%

Protein: 34.7%

Carbs: 14.4%