Chicken Tortilla Soup

Warm up your chilly evenings with this comforting and flavorful Chicken Tortilla Soup! Packed with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a kick of spices, this soup is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, and lime for garnish

Instructions:

• In a large pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened.
• Add in diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add in shredded chicken and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
• Serve hot with tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Popular questions:

• Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding my own chicken?

A: Yes, using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option for this recipe. Simply shred the chicken before adding it to the soup.

• Q: Can I substitute the black beans with another type of bean?

A: Yes, you can use kidney beans, pinto beans, or any other beans you prefer in place of black beans.

• Q: Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

A: Absolutely! You can omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegetarian version.

Helpful tips:

• Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving to enhance the flavors of the soup.
• Top the soup with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
• For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the soup.

Expert Secrets:

• To deepen the flavor of the soup, sauté the spices along with the onions and peppers before adding the rest of the ingredients.
• For a smoky flavor, use fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, blend a portion of the soup in a blender before adding the shredded chicken.