How To Make My Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hello again! Last night I made my chicken tortilla soup because I couldn't decide what I wanted to make out of the whole chicken I took out of my freezer. After tossing around ideas in my head for awhile I made this Mexican spiced soup. It really is a chicken soup with a few different ingredients than most people are used to I think. It is a beautiful and delicious soup that is usually served with hot corn tortillas, Mexican rice, chile (hot sauce) and lime. I like this when it is cold outside or if I am feeling a little under the weather (which yesterday neither of these applied)! I just wanted to make some soup! I'd like to share with you how I make my chicken tortilla soup so if you're ready, let's get started!

My Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 to 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tbls. chili powder
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• chicken bouillon, to taste
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 large potato, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 or a small cabbage, chopped
• 2 or 3 Mexican squash, sliced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 quarts or more of water
• Mexican rice
• Sour cream
• Fresh cut limes
• Tomatillo chile or your favorite hot sauce

Begin by boiling the whole chicken, onions, celery, garlic and carrots in a big stockpot with enough water to cover. Skim off foam as it comes to the surface. Boil for about one hour or more. Turn off heat and cover allowing chicken to sit in the pot another hour or so. Remove chicken from pot, remove skin and debone, reserving meat.

Next add in the rest of the ingredients, except chicken meat and heat, stirring occassionally until vegetables are tender. Add in the cooked chicken meat about 15 minutes before serving. To serve, spoon some Mexican rice into a bowl and ladle the hot soup over it! I add to the bowl a crumbled crunchy corn tortilla or tostada shell then top with a spoon of sour cream, fresh chopped white onions and cilantro and squeeze some fresh lime juice over it. Have plenty of extra rice, hot corn tortillas and some tomatillo chile on the side. You can also add sliced radishes, pickled jalapenos or whatever else you'd like with your soup. A nice tall glass of iced tea with fresh lime is all that is needed with this meal.

I hope you will try this recipe with your family and friends and always remember to have fun while cooking and eating! Enjoy!

Thanks,

Bubba