Tex-Mex Chicken Tortilla Soup
Description:
This Tex-Mex Chicken Tortilla Soup has a little bit of spice to it, but fear not, as you can easily adjust it to your desired heat level. It’s an ideal recipe for utilizing leftover chicken or turkey, making it both practical and delicious!
Recipe Information:
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Recipe Category: Chicken
- Keywords: Poultry, Cheese, Vegetable, Meat, Southwestern U.S., Low Cholesterol, Spicy, < 60 Mins
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 341.8
- Fat Content: 14.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 5.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 67.3mg
- Sodium Content: 971.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 22.7g
- Fiber Content: 3.9g
- Sugar Content: 7.3g
- Protein Content: 29.4g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 1 | Onion |
| 2 | Garlic cloves |
| 2 cups | Chicken broth |
| 1 can | Green chilies |
| 1 can | Diced tomatoes |
| 1 tbsp | Chili powder |
| 1 tsp | Ground cumin |
| 1/4 – 1/2 tsp | Cayenne pepper |
| 2 | Tortillas |
| – | Sharp cheddar cheese |
| 1/2 cup | Monterey jack cheese |
| – | Fresh cilantro |
| – | Green onion |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Tortilla Strips:
- If you’re using tortillas for garnish, start by thinly slicing them into strips using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- Fry the strips in hot oil until they are crispy. Alternatively, you can bake them until they reach the desired crispiness. Once done, drain them and set aside.
-
Saute Onion and Garlic:
- In a soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic cloves to the pot.
- Saute them until they turn tender and aromatic, releasing their flavorful essence into the oil.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth, then add the green chilies and diced tomatoes.
- Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper to infuse the broth with rich, spicy flavors.
- Add the cooked chicken or turkey to the pot, allowing it to mingle with the other ingredients and absorb their delicious essence.
-
Season to Taste:
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference, adding more spice if desired.
-
Simmer:
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Allow the soup to simmer gently for about 15 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
-
Serve:
- Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, ready to warm both body and soul.
- Garnish each bowl with a generous handful of crisp tortilla strips (or broken chips), adding a delightful crunch to every spoonful.
- Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheese over the top, allowing them to melt slightly into the steaming soup.
- Finish with a flourish of freshly chopped cilantro, sliced green onion, and perhaps a few slices of jalapeno peppers for an extra kick of heat.
Enjoy your Tex-Mex Chicken Tortilla Soup! 🍲🌶️
