Fresh Tortilla Soup

Fresh Tortilla Soup

Do not be daunted by the instructions, or the long ingredient list. This is really very easy.

Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
2 cups water
1 yellow onion
1 whole bunch celery (divided)
3TBS minced garlic (divided)
3 Limes (divided)
EVOO
8 Carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 purple onion
1 small can chopped green chillies
2 TBS cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
juice of 3 limes or 3 TBS (or more) lime juice
1 can each of black beans, pinto beans, red kidney beans, white corn, yellow corn, drained and rinsed, and mixed together.
1 pk. cubed cheddar or colbyjack cheese
1 small jar green olives
1 bag tortilla chips



Boil 4 chicken breasts in 2 cups of water with 1 whole onion, quartered, 3 sticks of celery cut into3 inch pieces, 1 TBS minced garlic, and 2 lime halves that the juice has been completely squeezed out of (reserve the juice for later)
When chicken is done, take bones and skin from chicken and dice finely. Reserve for later

Strain the chicken broth to remove cooked vetetables, lime rinds, and small pieces of skin and bone. Discard vegetables and reserve chicken broth.

Chop 6 carrots, 6-8 ribs celery, one red and one yellow bell pepper, one small purple onion. Get a large skillet very hot. Add a tbsp of EVOO to the hot pan, then add all the vegetables at once. Add 2 Tsp minced garlic from a jar, and a small can of chopped green chillies. Saute untill brown around the edges but still crisp.  Turn off heat and set aside.

Now you have all components for your soup. Before making the soup gather the rest of the ingredients. 

Spices for soup: 1-1/2-2 TBS cumin, (no it's not too much) 1 tsp. onion powder, 1/2 bunch coarsely chopped cilantro,  juice of 3 limes (or more), salt and pepper to taste (if necessary)

Add-ins:  Cubed chedder cheese, green olives, tortilla chips,
one or two cans each of pinto beans, black beans, red kidney beans, white corn, yellow corn drain and rinse all canned carbs, and mix together in a large bowl.

To cook soup: heat broth to simmer and add chicken pieces and vegetable pieces. bring back to low boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Add up to 1 cup of water if necessary.  Add spices, stir well, cover and remove from heat.

To serve soup:
Place a couple of tablespoons of bean/corn mixture in the bottom of a soup bowl. Add cubed cheese, and olives.  Spoon soup over the add-ins, and serve with tortilla chips. 

Great for your entire family. For Game-On meal, YOU control the amount of carbs and/or extra protein (cheese) or fat (olives) you add to the bowl to make it entirely legal.

This is a family favorite, a "go-to" meal. Great for summer or winter because it tastes so fresh. A great fun company meal, as well.  The leftovers reheat well, It can be frozen for future meals, but doesn't taste as fresh.  Each time it is reheated, add juice of one lime.