Tortilla Soup

This is the best tortilla soup I have ever eaten. It started out as a Weight Watchers recipe but was basically broth over tortillas. So I decided to take their basic recipe and make it my own. So here it is!


1 Tbsp. oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans mild green chilies (or the equal amount of frozen)
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
4 cups chicken broth (or other)
1 can (14.5 oz) chopped tomatoes
1 can corn (14.5 oz.)
1 can black beans (14.5 oz.)
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. grated lime rind (a micro plane grater works great to do this! Otherwise a regular cheese grater will work, just use the side with small openings that look like little crowns)
8 drops hot red pepper sauce (Tabasco, or Louisiana style)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 6-inch corn tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips

Garnish with:
1/4 cup shredded (or cubed) Monterrey Jack cheese
1 avocado, cubed

1. Heat a large saucepan or dutch oven (approximately 8 quarts) over medium-high heat. Swirl in the oil, then add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes. Add the cubed chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until chicken is cooked through about 8-10 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, and green chilies, cook one minute.

2. Stir in the broth, corn, beans and tomatoes; bring to a boil. reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice, lime rind, hot sauce and cilantro.

3. While the soup is simmering, spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray, or other spray oil. Place the tortilla strips on the sheet and spry with non-stick spray or oil. Broil in the oven turning occasionally, until the strips are crisp and golden.

4. Place the tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado in bowls, and add soup to each bowl. Serve at once!