Recipe

Tortilla Soup

This is the best tortilla soup you will ever try. Don't forget the crunchy tortilla strips!

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
2 cups chopped red onion
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 large poblano pepper, seeded and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
8 cilantro stems, tied in a bundle, plus 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning
1 tablespoon tomato paste
8 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more for serving
Six to eight 6-inch corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped, for garnish
1 cup grated queso quesadilla or Manchego cheese, for garnish (optional)

Season chicken strips with the cumin, coriander, and chili powder.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart or larger soup pot over medium-high heat, add chicken, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, poblano, jalapeno, cilantro stems, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook, stirring as needed, 10 minutes, or until onions are soft and lightly caramelized. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute longer. Add stock. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 to 40 minutes. Remove cilantro stems, stir in lime juice, and remove from the heat.
In a 12-inch or larger saute pan, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 370 degrees. Fry tortilla strips in batches, stirring frequently with a slotted spoon or strainer, until golden and crisp, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove from oil and set aside on paper towels to drain. Season tortilla strips lightly with salt.
Crumble a large handful of tortilla strips and gently stir into soup, to thicken. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with additional lime juice, cilantro leaves, avocado, grated cheese, and fried tortilla strips.