Chicken Soup Recipe
Chicken tortilla soup with vegetables, rice, tortilla chips and Monterrey cheese.
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Ingredients
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Soup Base
Toppings & Garnish
Method
Soup Base
- 1
Brown the chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large (5–6 quart) pot over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season lightly with 0.25 tsp salt and 0.125 tsp black pepper. Add chicken to the pot and brown 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden (it does not need to be cooked through). Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- 2
- 3
Build the soup
Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices) and green chilies (if using). Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, bay leaf, remaining salt (about 1.25 tsp) and pepper (about 0.375 tsp). Pour in the chicken broth and 2 cups water, scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, then return the browned chicken to the pot.
- 4
Simmer
Bring soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and simmer 20 minutes to cook the chicken through and allow flavors to meld.
- 5
Add rice and finish cooking
Remove the chicken to a cutting board. Add the rinsed rice to the simmering soup, stir, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes (or package time) until rice is tender. While rice cooks, shred the chicken meat off the bones into bite-sized pieces, discard skin and bones, and set shredded chicken aside.
- 6
Combine and season
Return shredded chicken to the pot, stir in chopped cilantro (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish) and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with up to 0.5 tsp more salt and additional lime if desired. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Keep soup warm over low heat until serving.
Toppings & Serving
- 7
Ladle the hot soup into bowls (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups per serving). Top each portion with a handful of crushed tortilla chips (about 3/4 cup), a sprinkle of shredded Monterrey Jack (approximately 1/4 cup per bowl), diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream if using, and the reserved cilantro leaves.
- 8
Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for extra brightness. Suggestion: offer additional hot sauce and extra chips at the table.