Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 can (14.5 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

For the Tortilla Strips:

• 6 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Salt, to taste

For Garnish (optional):

• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
• Sliced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream
• Diced jalapeños or pickled jalapeños

Instructions

1. Make the Tortilla Strips:

   • Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Fry the tortilla strips in batches until golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes per batch.
   • Remove and drain on paper towels, then season with salt. Set aside.

2. Cook the Soup Base:

   • In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion, garlic, jalapeño, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables soften.
   • Stir in the cumin, chili powder, paprika (if using), oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the Broth and Ingredients:

   • Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), black beans, and corn. Bring the soup to a boil.
   • Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.

4. Add Chicken and Finish the Soup:

   • Stir in the shredded chicken and cilantro, and simmer for another 5 minutes until the chicken is heated through.
   • Add the lime juice and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

5. Serve:

   • Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips.
   • Add your favorite garnishes such as shredded cheese, avocado slices, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for extra flavor.

Enjoy!

This Chicken Tortilla Soup is warm, comforting, and has layers of flavors with a little heat. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments or additional tips!