Chicken tortilla soup

So this recipe is one that I had to play around with to get the right flavor I was looking for. Now that I have perfected it I'm ready to share! I let a friend try this when I brought some for lunch and she said that I basically ruined El toritos tortilla soup for here because my version is her new favorite.

Here is what you will need...

-2-3 chicken breasts
-3 zucchini's 1/2 inch pieces
-1/2 cup frozen corn
-1 jalapeño minced
-1 diced onion
-28 oz diced tomatoes
-5 cloves minced garlic
-1/2 cup cilantro roughly chopped
-8 teaspoons chicken bouillon
-8 cups water
-Monterrey jack cheese
-avocado
-3 limes
-1 tablespoon California chili powder (you can fine this for less than a dollar in your local grocery store in the Hispanic isle)
-1/8 teaspoon pepper

OOPS! I almost forgot....

THE CORN!

In your pan add about 3 tablespoons of canola oil, season your chicken with the pepper and brown your chicken until done.

I cut my chicken into 2 inch pieces. Once finished set them on a plate lined with a paper towel. We will get back to the chicken later.

Now in a large pot add the oil that you used from the chicken into it, add the onion, garlic, minced jalapenos and cook until the onions get soft. At is time add in you chili powder, chicken bouillon. Cook for about another minute.

I know it shows that you add the Jalapeno after the tomatoes, but the reason why I did that is because I almost forgot to add them in there! Good thing i remembered.

Now add in your can of tomatoes. Cook together for another 2-3 minutes and add in your water.



this is me adding in the water =]

Bring to a boil and once it's boiling add in your diced zucchini, corn and cilantro

We are getting ready to add in our lime juice, so here is a tip. I like to roll my lime around on the counter to break the capsules inside the lime that hold the juice. I think it makes for a juicier lime, and it makes it that much easier to get the juice out.

Re introduce your chicken and add the juice of one whole lime into your soup. Let boil for ten minutes so all the flavors can combine.

Serve with avocado pieces, the CHEESE, tortilla chips (I crush them in my hand) and a garnish of lime.

Ole!

By the way I wanted to share my new and adorable measuring cups and measuring spoons. You will be seeing a lot of them =] I bought them from the world trade market in Temecula, CA when I went to visit my fiances cousins this past weekend. Cute right??