Happy October! I can’t believe it’s already fall, but I’m definitely not complaining. I’m looking forward to chilly weather, warm clothes and hearty meals…oh, and all things pumpkin. Soup is one of my favorite meals during the fall/winter, so I’m kicking off this month with a classic chicken tortilla soup. This recipe is hearty, delicious and healthy–well, healthy sans the sour cream and tortilla strips. :)
Recipe:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, poached then shredded
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 cups yellow onion, chopped (2 onions)
1 cup celery, chopped (2 stalks)
2 cups carrots, chopped (4 carrots)
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 1/2 qt. chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
2 tbsp. ground cumin, plus more or less, to taste
1-2 tbsp. chili powder, plus more or less, to taste
1/4 – 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Sour cream, for topping
Cheddar cheese, for topping, if desired
6-8 corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
Directions:
Heat 3 tbsp. olive oil in a large pot. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heart for 10 minutes, or until the onions start to brown. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes with their puree, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, 1 tbsp. salt, 1 tsp. pepper, and the cilantro.
Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season, to taste.
Cut the tortillas in half, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips. Heat 1-inch of vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Fry a handful of tortilla strips at a time, turning occasionally, until crispy and lightly browned, about 1 minute. Repeat with the rest of the strips. Drain tortilla strips on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve the soup hot and top with a dollop of sour cream, homemade tortilla strips and grated cheddar cheese, if desired.
Recipe adapted from Food Network.
It’s definitely fall-like in Boston, so a bowl of this would have been great for lunch today. That close-up of the spoon looks awesome, and tasty!
What a warm and welcoming soup my friend :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I am all for cooler weather and hearty soups! This looks amazing!
Mmmm this looks so good! I’m definintly in for this soup; it’s getting a little chillier at night, now! Chicken Tortilla Soup is always so soothing and tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Love the soup season! Your chicken tortilla soup looks so comforting and tasty as well.
That looks DELISH! I will definitely be trying it!
This soup looks so comforting and yummy, C! Send a bowl to NYC?!
Mmm, chicken tortilla soup is one of my favorites! This looks awesome. Happy Fall!!
Looks fantastic Caroline!
I use leftover tortillas a lot on tortilla soups, its a good way to use it.
this is making my mouth water!! On the to-do list this fall forsure.
I’m not a soup guy, but this sounds delicious, Caroline.
A friend’s mom used to make this soup for us way back in middle school, I loved that she would sprinkle in Fritos for some crunch, but obviously tortillas is the more all natural way to go, even though its Spring the weather is still so cold, I will probably be able to make this over the week, as I am bored of all my soup recipes from this long winter!! Thanks for sharing :-)