Description
Max & Erma’s Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup that combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy, cheesy broth enhanced with mild spices and diced tomatoes with green chilies. This hearty soup, thickened with a butter-flour roux and Velveeta cheese, simmers gently to develop rich flavors and a smooth texture, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup whole milk
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 10 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Melt Butter: In a 5.5-quart soup pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat until fully liquefied.
- Create Roux: Add the all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously until the mixture is combined and frothy, ensuring no lumps form.
- Add Chicken Stock: Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps and create a smooth base.
- Incorporate Milk: Pour in the whole milk and stir well to combine with the stock mixture.
- Add Main Ingredients and Seasonings: Lower the heat to medium-low and add the shredded chicken, Velveeta cheese cubes, Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and kosher salt. Stir to combine evenly.
- Simmer and Melt Cheese: Gently simmer the mixture on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to help the Velveeta cheese melt smoothly into the soup.
- Thicken and Develop Flavor: Let the soup continue to simmer for about 20 minutes or until it becomes creamy and thickened. Be careful not to let the soup boil or scorch; stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your choice of optional toppings such as tortilla strips, sliced avocado, sour cream, or extra shredded cheese.
Notes
- To prevent lumps, pour the chicken stock slowly into the roux while whisking continuously.
- Use medium-low heat for simmering to avoid boiling or scorching the soup.
- Optional toppings like tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese enhance the flavors and add texture.
- Using shredded cooked chicken makes preparation quicker; rotisserie chicken works well.
- For a thicker soup, simmer a little longer; add more milk or stock if it becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
