How to Make Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe at Home
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar is the official name of each casual dining location, with the chain of restaurants known as the Applebee’s Restaurants LLC. The original restaurant was founded in 1980 in Atlanta. However, Applebee’s Restaurants LLC’s global headquarters is located in Glendale, CA. Applebee’s went from a private company to becoming a publicly traded company in 1991.
Currently, Applebee’s operates as a subsidiary of Dine Brands Global – which also owns and operates IHOP and its most recent acquisition – Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, with locations throughout the world.
The casual dining menu from Applebee’s is best described as a mainstream American comfort food, with options that include burgers, salads, sandwiches/wraps, chicken pasta, ribs, soup, and appetizers – plus a kid’s menu.
There is an Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar in every state and even Puerto Rico. Among the most beloved dishes offered by Applebee’s is its Chicken Tortilla Soup – a heavenly combination of warm comfort.
How to Make Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe at Home
Although there is nothing like Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla soup served by a smiling server at a nearby location, you can put together this delicious soup at home – especially when the weather is cold, and it is probably smarter to stay at home – safe, warm, and ready to devour this scrumptious Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla soup.
- Preparation Time – 40 minutes.
- Cooking Time – 30 – 40 minutes.
- Total Prep & Cook Time – 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours.
- Serves – 6.
Remember that this comforting soup can be filling, so pair it with a light side salad for a balanced meal.
The Ingredients For Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
The list of ingredients for Applebee’s chicken tortilla soup recipe includes the following – many of which are staple pantry items.
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion – Chopped.
- 2 Teaspoons of Fresh Garlic, Peeled, and Minced.
- 2 Teaspoons of Vegetable Oil.
- 4 Cups of Chicken Stock.
- 1⁄4 Cup of Chopped Green Pepper,
Pro-tip – This is an optional ingredient, and including it is purely based on your preferences. - 1 (15 Ounce) Can of Tomato Puree.
- 1 Teaspoon of Finely Minced Jalapeno Pepper.
- 1 Teaspoon of Sugar.
- 1 Teaspoon of Chili Powder.
- 1⁄2 Teaspoon of Salt.
- 1⁄4 Teaspoon of Pepper.
- 1 Teaspoon of Worcestershire Sauce.
- 1⁄2 Teaspoon of Hot Sauce
Pro-tip – The use of hot sauce is optional and purely based on your and your guest’s taste preferences. - 4 Teaspoons of Flour.
- 1⁄2 Cup of Water.
- 1 Pound of Cooked Chicken – Cubed.
- 1⁄4 Cup of Fat-Free Sour Cream.
- 1 Cup of Cream.
- 8 Ounces of Processed Cheese – Cut into 1-Inch Cubes.
- 10 (6-Inch) Corn Tortillas.
Direction for Making Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe at Home
Although it may seem like a long list of ingredients, making this delicious chicken tortilla soup recipe at home is easier than you think. Here is how to begin:
- Add oil to a large deep pan or Dutch oven, and then place the large deep soup pot or Dutch Oven on medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped onions to the heated oil.
- Sauté these ingredients until they become soft and translucent and begin to turn brown on their edges.
- Add the four cups of chicken stock, optional green pepper, tomato puree, jalapenos, salt, pepper, sugar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
- Stir and bring this soup base to a low boil.
- Reduce the heat after it reaches a boil. Set it to low and simmer the soup for 20 minutes.
While the soup is cooking, it is time to make the crunchy, delicious tortilla crisps.
- Cut the tortillas into 1/4-inch strips.
- To cook these crunchy soup toppers – either –
- Fry the strips in oil or
- Spray the strips with oil and bake at 400¬f for a few minutes – until crisp and golden.
- Sprinkle the cooked tortilla strips with salt, if desired.
- Set aside until the soup has finished cooking and you are ready to serve.
Pro-tip – If you are in a hurry, buy some delicious store-bought tortilla chips and crumble them instead.
To finish the Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup:
- In a small cup, thoroughly mix the flour and water to create a slurry, which as a concentrated starchy liquid, can be used to thicken the chicken tortilla soup.
- Whisk this slurry into the soup base.
- Bring soup again to a low boil. Simmer an additional 5 minutes.
- Add cubed/diced/shredded chicken and cream. Simmer an additional 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sour cream and cheese. You can adjust each of these – either more or less, depending on your taste and preferences.
- The serving temperature should be a minimum of 165°F.
- Ladle the soup into serving bowls.
- Create a high pile of the prepared tortilla strips after the soup is in the bowl and ready to serve.
- Garnish with an optional garnishment.
FAQS About This Soup
What are Some Garnishment Options for Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup?
Consider these delicious soup toppers:
- Avocado Slices.
- Freshly Chopped Cilantro.
- Fresh Lime Juice.
- Dollops of Sour Cream.
- Lime wedges.
- Shredded Cheese – Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or your favorite cheese.
What is the Nutritional Content of Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup?
This delicious comfort food from Applebee’s eats like a meal and has 582 calories, with more than 4 grams of fiber and nearly 36 grams of protein.
Can this Applebee’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Be Stored in the Refrigerator? Can it be Frozen?
Most leftover soups can be easily stored for up to three days in the refrigerator if you take the time to properly store the soup – in an airtight container. The most crucial point to remember is to make sure the soup has cooled sufficiently before storing it and to use the correct storage container.
Note that freezing soup with a creamy base or consistency may change the soup’s texture and even the flavor after having been frozen. When reheating frozen soup, it is best to let the frozen soup first thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
What are some optional ingredients to add to the soup?
A soup as delicious as this chicken tortilla soup is an excellent base for these additional vegetables:
- Fresh or canned corn.
- Black or pinto beans.
- Rotel Tomatoes – in mild to extra hot flavor options.
