Chili’s is a popular American casual dining restaurant chain that serves a variety of Tex-Mex inspired dishes. One of their classic menu items is their homemade potato soup which is a rich and creamy soup made with potatoes, chicken stock, onions, garlic, cream and seasonings.
Nutrition Facts for Chili’s Potato Soup
The nutrition information for Chili’s potato soup depends on the portion size. Here are the calorie counts for different serving sizes of Chili’s potato soup:
- 8 oz bowl (1 cup): 330 calories
- 12 oz bowl (1.5 cups): 495 calories
- 16 oz bowl (2 cups): 660 calories
So a regular bowl of Chili’s potato soup contains approximately 330 calories. The calories come mostly from fat (18g total fat) and carbohydrates (46g total carbs). The soup also provides 12g of protein per 8oz serving.
Detailed Nutrition Information
Here is the detailed nutritional breakdown for an 8oz bowl (1 cup) of Chili’s homemade potato soup:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Trans Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 810mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 46g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 12g |
Ingredients in Chili’s Potato Soup
What gives Chili’s potato soup its signature rich, creamy flavor? Here are the main ingredients used to make this popular soup:
- Potatoes – Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are used to create the thick, hearty base.
- Onions – Onions are cooked down to add flavor.
- Chicken broth – The soup is made with real chicken broth instead of water for more flavor.
- Heavy cream – Heavy whipping cream is added to give the soup a creamy velvety texture.
- Butter – Real butter is used to further enhance the creaminess.
- Garlic – Minced garlic adds a savory kick.
- Flour – A roux made from flour and butter thickens the soup.
- Seasonings – The soup is seasoned with salt, pepper and other herbs and spices.
- Bacon – Crumbled bacon on top adds a smoky, salty crunch.
The combination of starchy potatoes, savory chicken broth, rich heavy cream, butter, and seasonings creates the signature creamy, indulgent flavor profile of Chili’s loaded potato soup.
Reasons for the High Calorie Count
What makes this soup so high in calories considering it’s made primarily from simple ingredients like potatoes, chicken broth and some cream? Here are some of the reasons why Chili’s potato soup packs over 300 calories per serving:
- It’s loaded with heavy cream which is high in saturated fat and calories. The cream gives it a smooth, creamy richness.
- Generous amounts of butter are used which adds even more fat and calories.
- The base is made from starchy russet potatoes which are higher in carbohydrates and calories compared to other vegetables.
- It’s topped with bacon which provides salty crunch but also additional fat and calories.
- The soup contains a good amount of oil from the roux used to thicken it.
- Some locations add in cheese as well which increases the fat and calorie content.
With all that cream, butter, oil and cheese, it’s no wonder this indulgent potato soup from Chili’s packs so many calories into each bowl! But that’s also what makes it such a crave-worthy comfort food.
Ways to Lighten Up Chili’s Potato Soup
If you want to enjoy Chili’s famous potato soup but reduce the calorie content, here are some tips for lightening it up:
- Order a smaller 8oz portion instead of a 16oz bowl.
- Ask for light cream or half the regular amount.
- Skip the bacon or only add a small amount for flavor.
- Request less butter or oil in the preparation.
- Choose broth based soup and avoid the creamy version.
- Boost nutrition with added veggies like broccoli, spinach or kale.
- Balance it out by ordering a side salad instead of fries or chips.
- Split a bowl with a friend or take half home for later.
With a few tweaks and portion control, you can still enjoy the comforting flavor of Chili’s potato soup without all the extra calories.
Healthier Homemade Version
To make a lower calorie potato soup at home, try this healthier recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups skim or low-fat milk
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in chicken broth, potatoes, carrots and celery. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour and milk. Pour into the soup, stirring constantly.
- Bring soup back to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 more minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in parsley and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
- Blend soup with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth and creamy.
- Garnish bowls of the soup with extra parsley and paprika if desired.
This lightened up version uses skim milk instead of heavy cream to make it lower in fat and calories. Loading it up with extra vegetables also helps increase the nutrition. And the smoky paprika adds flavor without the need for bacon. Enjoy this slimmed down potato soup for under 200 calories per serving!
Conclusion
Chili’s indulgent loaded potato soup packs a caloric punch at 330 calories in just 1 cup. All that cream, butter and cheese come at a cost! But with some modifications like ordering a smaller portion, adding veggies, or removing heavy toppings, you can still enjoy this popular soup without breaking your diet. For the lowest calorie option, make a lighter version at home using lower fat dairy, more vegetables, and seasoning to boost flavor. Potato soup can be a hearty, comforting meal as long as you pay attention to your portion sizes and what goes into it.