30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (2024)

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By Leah 9 Comments

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30-minute chicken tortilla soup is by far one of my family's favorite chicken soups and is the copycat recipe of the restaurant Max and Erma's chicken tortilla soup. This chicken tortilla soup is made with lots of cheese including velveeta, grilled chicken, and has lots of flavor from onions, garlic, green chilis and fire roasted tomatoes. Topping it off with some air fried tortilla strips and cheese just makes this soup so over the top. But my favorite part is really the fact that I can make it in 30 minutes.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (1)

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (2)The chicken tortilla soup is velvety in texture with lots of smoky flavors and a hint of heat. This soup will definitely be a regular weeknight meal option for us.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (3)30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (4)

Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients

There are many variations and versions to this recipe. A lot of recipes I looked at use 6 cans of cream of something soup. I decided I could figure out how to make this without so much premade soups. The recipe creation worked like a dream.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (5)

Here are the ingredients I used for my Max copycat recipe of chicken tortilla soup:

  • Diced cooked chicken
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Chicken Base
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
  • Green Chilis
  • Cumin
  • Chipotle Powder
  • Adobo Seasoning
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Velveeta
  • Cream of Chicken Soup
  • Milk
  • Water

How to Make 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (6)

Begin making this soup by dicing onions and garlic and adding them to your favorite soup pot or Dutch oven with butter. Saute for several minutes until they start to soften. Then add the chicken base to the onions and butter to the mix. Next, add the flour to the pot to make a roux.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (7)

Stir to form the roux and then start adding the water and milk to the roux to make the base for the soup. Alternate between the water and milk.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (8)

When the liquid is all added and it begins to boil, stir in the cubed cooked chicken. Then follow that with the tomatoes, chilis, cream of cheddar soup, and seasonings.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (9)

Stir to completely combine and then drop the cubed or shredded velveeta into the soup. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (10)

The finished product of this 30-minute chicken tortilla soup is just like a queso soup. It is spectacularly delicious. But to take it up a notch, I totally recommend making some tortilla strips.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (11)30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (12)

How to Make Crispy Tortilla Strips in the Air Fryer

I have found the low-carb tortillas30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (13) get crispier for this. And we like crispy tortilla strips. Start by using a pizza cutter to cut the tortillas into strips.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (14)

Then melt butter to drench the tortilla strips in before dropping into the air fryer.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (15)

Then air fry them on 400° for 5 minutes or until crispy to your liking.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (16)

Then you have the most amazing crispy tortilla soup toppings.

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (17)30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (18)

Low-Carb Soup Recipes

If you are looking for a low-carb version, I have perfected thisCrock Pot Low-Carb Chicken Tortilla Soup or the Crock Pot Low-Carb Taco Soup.

Easy Soup Recipes

Meaty Tomato Ravioli Soup

Lasagna Soup

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Chili

Butternut Squash Soup with Smoked Sausage

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (19)30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (20)

📖 Recipe

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (21)

Max and Erma's Tortilla Soup Copycat Recipe

30-minute chicken tortilla soup is by far one of my family's favorite chicken soups and is the copycat recipe of the restaurant Max and Erma's chicken tortilla soup. This chicken tortilla soup is made with lots of cheese including velveeta, grilled chicken, and has lots of flavor from onions, garlic, green chilis and fire roasted tomatoes.

4.27 from 15 votes

Print Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Copycat Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 520kcal

Author: Leah @ Beyer Beware

Ingredients

  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons chicken base
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1 can cream of cheddar soup
  • 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 4 ounces green chilis
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle pwder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 8 ounces velveeta cheese

Tortilla Strips

  • 4 tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • Start by sauteing the onions and garlic in butter. After it has cooked for several minutes and the onions have softened, stir in the flour.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (22)

  • Next stir in the chicken base. Then slowly add the water and milk.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (23)

  • To the mixture stir in the cooked and diced chicken into the base. Next, add the canned ingredients of soup, tomatoes, and green chilis.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (24)

  • Stir the seasonings and velveeta into the mix. Cubed or shred the velveeta. Stir until melted.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (25)

  • While the soup simmers, cut the tortillas into strips.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (26)

  • Dip the cut strips into the melted two tablespoons of butter and air fry on 400° for five minutes.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (27)

  • Serve the soup with shredded cheese, tortilla strips, and cilantro.

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (28)

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 1847mg | Potassium: 453mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1565IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 379mg | Iron: 3mg

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Leah

A working mom of two very active teenagers. My husband and I gave up running the 80-cow dairy farm that also included a couple of hundred acres of corn and soybeans to both work to support the agricultural industry. We still have about 20 head of dairy heifers and cows to help my kids appreciate the effort it takes to raise livestock. I consider myself a foodie as I love cooking and experimenting with recipes. My family just wishes I would make the same thing twice. Find my other blog, FarmWifeDrinks.com for all things co*cktails.

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  1. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (35)Nancy

    WOW!!! This is SPOT ON!!! I've been weeping for months since Max & Ermas are ALL GONE now!!! I expected at least they'd put products in the frozen foods debts at the groceries but nooo!! and So I tried this... with all the ingredients you listed, and WOWEE!! it's just perfect!! I'm in love!! Great recipe!!

    Reply

  2. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (36)Lois small

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (37)
    Been many years since I had max n sense tortilla soup,your recipe was excellent added cooked bacon on top.

    Reply

  3. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (38)Karin

    This was amazing! I didn’t have chicken base so I used broth. It was perfect, thanks!

    Reply

  4. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (39)Cathy

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (40)
    Wow, this is so good! My husband had tortilla soup at a restaurant recently and wanted me to duplicate it. He likes this better. Easy to make, too. Thanks for sharing a fantastic recipe!

    Reply

  5. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (41)Jen

    Amazing!!! Will definitely be making it again! So much better than the ones that call for 6 cans of this soup, 6 cans of that soup, 3 cans of this, etc. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (42)Leah

      So glad you loved it!

      Reply

  6. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (43)Janet Schulmerich

    This soup looks so good and I am anxious to try. Just 1 question.,,, Your blog ingredients list include Cream of Chicken Soup, but the recipe states Cream of Cheddar Soup. Which should be used?

    Reply

  7. 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (44)Angela

    30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (45)
    This is one of my family’s FAVORITE soups. I crank up the spice level, add a bell pepper, corn, black beans and some more tomatoes but the basic recipe is *chefs kiss* thank you!

    Reply

30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup - Max and Erma's Copycat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

How can I thicken my chicken tortilla soup? ›

Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into your soup while stirring continuously. Allow the soup to simmer for a few minutes to activate the thickening properties of the cornstarch. Remember to whisk the soup well to avoid any lumps.

How do you tone down chicken tortilla soup? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

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 is the liquid in chicken soup called? ›

Chicken broth is the liquid part of chicken soup. Broth can be served as is, or used as stock, or served as soup with noodles. Broth can be milder than stock, does not need to be boiled as long, and can be made with meatier chicken parts. Chicken bouillon or bouillon de poulet is the French term for chicken broth.

What are the ingredients in Costco chicken tortilla soup? ›

INGREDIENTS: chicken stock, diced tomatoes in juice, cooked chicken meat, cooked white chicken meat, onions, corn, carrots, roasted poblano peppers, roasted red bell peppers, roasted green chiles, tortillas (corn, water, lime), contains 2% or less of: tomato paste, water, cultured dextrose, sea salt, modified food ...

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.

Can you use mayo to thicken soup? ›

Fortunately, many ingredients have lifesaving workarounds — even if they require a bit of creativity. For those needing a creamy thickener to stand in for sour cream, mayonnaise is one of the best and most convenient choices.

Does adding cornstarch to soup make it thicker? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

How to add richness to chicken soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How to make can chicken soup taste better? ›

Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.

Why do Mexicans use two tortillas? ›

Mexicans fondly refer to this as 'la copia' (literally: the copy). If you ask around, you'll be given many reasons for this. But a popular explanation is that the second tortilla can be used to make another taco with any fillings that spill out the side.

What is the real name for tortilla soup? ›

Sopa Azteca — or its more familiar name here in the U.S., tortilla soup — is a pasilla chile- and tomato-based broth that is then tailored to individual tastes at the table with myriad options for garnishes, including crispy fried tortillas, chicken, avocado, chicharrones, cilantro, salsa and limes.

Where is chicken 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.

What does chicken soup contain? ›

The best chicken soup recipes are chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery and onions — all of which are rich in vitamins C and K, not to mention other antioxidants and minerals. Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in your bones.

What is chicken soup made from? ›

Chicken Soup Ingredients
  • Chicken: This homemade chicken soup starts with a 3-pound whole chicken.
  • Vegetables: You'll need carrots, celery, and an onion.
  • Seasonings: Simply season the soup with salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon granules (if you want).
Feb 13, 2024

What are tortillas made out of? ›

tortilla, round, thin, flat bread of Mexico made from unleavened cornmeal or, less commonly, wheat flour. Traditionally, the corn (maize) for tortillas was boiled with unslaked lime to soften the kernels and loosen the hulls. (This lime was the principal source of calcium in the Mexican diet.)

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