The Secret Ingredient That Makes Chick-Fil-A's Chicken Tortilla Soup So Creamy
When it comes to all things chicken, Chick-fil-A has you covered. There's a reason why Visual Capitalist lists the franchise as the third most financially successful fast food restaurant in America, trailing only behind McDonald's and Starbucks, with a revenue of 16.7 billion dollars in 2021 alone. Whether it's their speedy service, friendly attitudes, Christian values, or dang-good fried chicken that keeps you coming back for more, Chick-fil-A remains a touchstone of American fast food culture.
From their original fried chicken sandwich to their Cobb salad and grilled chicken wraps, Chick-fil-A boasts a simple yet abundant menu. During the holiday season, the fried chicken chain offers customers limited-edition menu items like their iconic peppermint milkshake (if you know, you know) and their hearty chicken tortilla soup, per Chick-fil-A.
Wide Open Eats calls the limited-edition soup a "fan favorite," and some customers on Twitter call it "unmatched." It's zesty, filling, and only 340 calories per cup (via the Chick-fil-A website). But what makes it so irresistibly creamy?
Chick-fil-A adds sour cream to their chicken tortilla soup
Regular soup broth can be healing, but creamy soup broth can elevate a bowl to sinfully new heights (see: broccoli cheddar soup). To create that famous, silky-smooth texture associated with Chick-fil-A's chicken tortilla soup, they mix in sour cream with the other ingredients to give it a rich, lush mouthfeel, Chick-fil-A explains. According to Southern Living, Chick-fil-A also uses spicy chicken for the soup, giving it a subtle sting that's soothed by the sour cream.
The Chopping block says that fatty, creamy ingredients can be used to cut through acidity in foods. In this case, sour cream helps prevent the overwhelming flavors from the various peppers and chilies, as noted on the tortilla soup's ingredients list. If you're trying your hand at a DIY Chick-fil-A tortilla soup, but sour cream isn't for you, Healthline suggests using alternatives like greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and buttermilk.
Chick-fil-A confirms that the creamy soup is only for a limited time, and based on their usual timeline, it'll be disappearing again soon. Head to your local Chick-fil-A to enjoy the tail end of their soup season, or try adding sour cream to your next batch of chicken tortilla soup for a Chick-fil-A-approved dinner that the whole family will love.