Tortilla Soup

Posted byNoriePosted inChicken, Recipe, SoupTags:, ,

I tried to make this after I’ve eaten it in a Mexican restaurant.  I have to brag that mine came out a lot better than the restaurant’s because it is more flavorful and not as salty.  It is easy to make and the ingredients are mostly what I have on hand. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 skinned chicken breast half (1/2 of the whole chicken breast) cooked and cut in cubes or any cooked leftover chicken.  I used our leftover baked chicken.
  • 1 medium onion minced
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped or 1 heaping tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (plain or Rotel)
  • 1 box (32 oz.) Chicken broth

  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. cumin powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 seeded and chopped fresh jalapeno (if you like it spicy)
  • 2 TBS (more or less) chopped cilantro leaves
  • 3 TBS canned Black beans and/or corn
  • Diced or chunks of Zucchini or summer squash if desired. 

At the table:

Shredded Mexican cheese blend or shredded Cheddar cheese or any cheese you prefer. Crushed tortillas, avocado cut in serving pieces, lime wedges, sour cream, etc.

To make your own tortillas strips from corn tortillas; slice or cut 3 corn tortillas in strips about 1/4 inch wide. Drizzle with olive oil or veg oil, mix thoroughly then bake at 350 deg. F for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.

Sauté garlic and onions and jalapeno peppers in 1 TBS. oil until the onions are soft.  Pour in the tomatoes with the liquid.  Simmer for a few minutes and crush most of the tomatoes with the spoon.  Add the rest of the ingredients except the cooked chicken and squash if using.  Simmer for about 45 minutes then drop in the chicken cubes and squash if using.  Simmer for another 15 minutes or until the squash chunks are tender.  Taste and add salt if needed.  Remember you will add cheese when served and also cracked tortillas that will add to the salt.

Remove the bay leaves and serve piping hot for the cheese to melt.  Add some tortilla strips, cheese and serve with lime wedges. Add a scoop of sour cream on top and some avocados if desired.