Is Chick-fil-A soup good for you? A nutritional deep dive

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to dietary experts, many fast-food soups contain surprisingly high levels of sodium, a concern when evaluating their overall health profile. So, is Chick-fil-A soup good for you, or is it another salty trap? A closer look at the nutritional facts and ingredients is required to provide a clear answer.

Quick Summary

An examination of Chick-fil-A's seasonal soups reveals they offer moderate calories and satisfying protein but are notably high in sodium. The healthiness depends on portion size and overall dietary context. The Chicken Tortilla Soup provides a bonus of dietary fiber, while the Chicken Noodle Soup is a lower-calorie option, both carrying high salt counts.

Key Points

High Sodium Alert: Both Chick-fil-A soups contain very high levels of sodium, with a large bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup providing 80% of the daily value.
Moderate Calories: The smaller cup sizes offer a relatively low-calorie meal, especially the Chicken Noodle Soup at 170 calories.
Good Protein Source: Both soups, particularly the Chicken Tortilla Soup, are good sources of protein, which helps with satiety.
High Fiber Option: The Chicken Tortilla Soup is packed with black and navy beans, providing a remarkable amount of dietary fiber.
Adjust for a Healthier Meal: To reduce the sodium and calorie intake, choose a smaller cup, skip the crackers or tortilla strips, and pair the soup with a side salad instead of fries.
Not Gluten-Free: The Chicken Noodle Soup contains egg noodles with wheat, and the Chicken Tortilla Soup is also not gluten-free, with a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Seasonal Availability: The Chicken Tortilla Soup is a seasonal item, so it is not always available on the menu.

A Nutritional Look at Chick-fil-A's Soups

When considering a fast-food meal, soup is often perceived as a healthier alternative to burgers and fries. For Chick-fil-A, the menu features two primary, seasonal soup options: the classic Chicken Noodle Soup and the heartier Chicken Tortilla Soup. However, their nutritional profiles show that while they have benefits, they come with significant drawbacks, primarily their high sodium content. Understanding the specifics is key to determining if they fit into a balanced diet.

The Chicken Noodle Soup Breakdown

Chick-fil-A's Chicken Noodle Soup is a straightforward offering featuring shredded chicken breast, egg noodles, chopped carrots, and celery in a savory broth. While its ingredients seem simple and wholesome, the nutritional details reveal a trade-off.

Here’s what a cup of the Chicken Noodle Soup provides:

Calories: 170
Protein: 10g
Fat: 4g
Sodium: 1,220 mg
Carbohydrates: 25g

A large bowl of this soup significantly increases these numbers:

Calories: 240
Protein: 18g
Fat: 6g
Sodium: 1,920 mg (80% of the daily value)
Carbohydrates: 29g

The most striking figure is the sodium. Even a small cup contains over half of the recommended daily value, and a large bowl delivers an alarming 80%. For those monitoring blood pressure or on a low-sodium diet, this is a significant concern. The protein content, however, is a positive, offering a filling component to the meal.

Analyzing the Chicken Tortilla Soup

As a seasonal alternative, the Chicken Tortilla Soup has a different, richer profile. It is made with shredded chicken breast, black and navy beans, vegetables, and a creamy white soup base, topped with seasoned tortilla strips.

Nutritionally, a small cup offers:

Calories: 340
Protein: 23g
Fat: 10g
Sodium: 1,050 mg
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 17g

A large bowl provides an even more substantial serving:

Calories: 610
Protein: 47g
Fat: 17g
Sodium: 2,090 mg (87% of the daily value)
Carbohydrates: 69g
Fiber: 33g (132% of the daily value)

This soup is more calorie-dense, particularly the large bowl, but it also provides a remarkable amount of protein and an exceptionally high level of fiber due to the beans. This high fiber content can lead to increased satiety and better digestive health. However, like its noodle counterpart, the sodium levels are very high, with a large bowl exceeding the recommended daily limit.

Soup-to-Soup Nutritional Comparison


Nutrient	Cup of Chicken Noodle	Bowl of Chicken Noodle	Cup of Chicken Tortilla	Bowl of Chicken Tortilla
Calories	170	240	340	610
Protein	10g	18g	23g	47g
Fat	4g	6g	10g	17g
Carbs	25g	29g	37g	69g
Fiber	1g	3g	17g	33g
Sodium	1,220mg	1,920mg	1,050mg	2,090mg

How to Make a Healthier Choice

If you enjoy Chick-fil-A's soups and want to make the healthiest choice, here are some strategies:

Choose a cup over a bowl: Opting for the smaller size significantly reduces calories, fat, and sodium, making it a more reasonable add-on to a meal.
Pair with a side salad: The Chicken Noodle Soup is low in fiber. Complementing it with a Market Side Salad or Kale Crunch Side adds vitamins and fiber, helping you feel fuller.
Skip the crackers or tortilla strips: These toppings add extra calories and carbs. Skipping them can make the meal lighter.
Balance sodium intake: With the high sodium in the soups, consider your intake for the rest of the day. Avoid other salty foods to stay within recommended limits. For more information on sodium guidelines, consult authoritative sources on heart health, like the American Heart Association.
Seasonal awareness: The Chicken Tortilla Soup is not a year-round menu item, so its availability for a fiber boost is limited.

Are Chick-fil-A Soups Processed?

While Chick-fil-A emphasizes using fresh, quality ingredients like shredded chicken breast, the soups, like most fast-food items, are not the same as a soup made from scratch at home. They are likely pre-made and heated on-site, using commercial bases and ingredients to maintain consistency and speed. This processing is what contributes to the very high sodium levels, as preservatives and flavor enhancers are often added.

Conclusion: A Verdict on Chick-fil-A Soup

Is Chick-fil-A soup good for you? The answer is nuanced. On one hand, a cup of either soup is a moderate-calorie option with a good dose of protein, and the Chicken Tortilla Soup offers excellent fiber. On the other, the extremely high sodium content is a major concern, particularly for individuals with hypertension or other health conditions requiring sodium monitoring. As an occasional indulgence, a cup-sized portion can be a satisfactory part of a meal. However, it is not a suitable daily choice for a healthy diet, and large portions carry significant salt and calorie loads. For the healthiest option, a homemade soup with fresh ingredients and controlled sodium is always superior.

American Heart Association - Shaking the Salt Habit

Frequently Asked Questions

From a calorie and fat perspective, the Chicken Noodle Soup cup is the lightest option. However, the Chicken Tortilla Soup provides significantly more protein and dietary fiber, which can aid in satiety. Both are very high in sodium, so the 'healthier' option depends on your specific nutritional goals.

No, Chick-fil-A's Chicken Noodle Soup is not gluten-free as it contains egg noodles made from wheat. Chick-fil-A also warns that their kitchen environment and preparation areas involve shared surfaces, which can lead to cross-contact.

The sodium content is a major drawback for both soup options. A bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup contains 1,920 mg of sodium, while a bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup contains 2,090 mg. Both of these amounts are very high and represent a significant portion of the recommended daily sodium intake.

You can make your soup order healthier by choosing a smaller cup size, skipping the saltine crackers or tortilla strips, and pairing the soup with a side salad or fruit cup instead of waffle fries to increase your fiber and nutrient intake.

While Chick-fil-A uses freshly prepared chicken breast, their soups are still a fast-food product and are likely pre-made using commercial bases, contributing to their high sodium levels. They are not equivalent to soup made from scratch at home.

No, Chick-fil-A's Chicken Tortilla Soup is a seasonal item, typically available during the colder fall and winter months. The Chicken Noodle Soup is generally available year-round.

Due to their high sodium content, which can cause water retention, the soups are not an ideal choice for regular weight loss. However, as an occasional meal, a cup-sized portion with a side salad can be a moderate-calorie, filling option due to its protein and (for the tortilla soup) fiber.