Introduction
Mexican chicken tortilla soup is a warm and appetizing meal that includes tender chicken, abundant broth, vegetables, as well as crispy tortilla strips. This has made this soup one of the most enjoyed Mexican inspired dishes in the world.
But tortilla soup is not heavy like the soups that are too thick and makes one feel stuffed. Thus, it is frequently consumed as a snack lunch and a good dinner. Moreover, spices, tomatoes and chicken also give a nice smell, which makes this preparation even more appetizing.
The flexibility of the soup is another factor that makes this soup popular. As an instance, it can be topped with toppings like avocado, cheese, cilantro and lime. In the meantime, the crispy tortilla strips are tasty and crispy, a proper contrast to the rich broth. Here, you are going to know how to make a Mexican chicken tortilla soup using just basic ingredients and using the traditional cooking methods.
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What is so Special About Tortilla Soup
Mexican tortilla soup is unique in that it is made of a combination of simple ingredients but had a strong taste. The soup is traditionally made using a broth that is made of tomatoes and then spiced with garlic, onions and spices.
As a result, the dish that has been made in the end is multi-textured. The broth is warm and fatty and the tortilla strips add the crunch. Tortilla soup has been a typical comfort food of Mexican food due to this mixture of textures and flavors.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients
Tortilla soup is easy to make and uses few ingredients making it a rich and delicious meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
For tortilla strips:
- 2 corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon oil
Optional toppings:
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
The ingredients make a cozy and smelling soup.
Preparing the Chicken
Prepare the chicken breasts by first seasoning them with a little bit of salt and pepper. Then put the chicken into a chicken broth pot. Boil the broth and leave the chicken to cook in it, approximately 15 minutes.
When cooking the chicken is tender and it takes the flavor of the broth. When the chicken is cooked completely remove it out of the pot and shred it between two forks. Prepare the shredded chicken, and reserve it.
Preparing the Soup Base
Heat olive oil in a big pot at medium temperature. Add chopped onions and cook about 3 minutes till they become soft. Then add finely chopped garlic and cook one more minute.
In the meantime, the garlic is emitting a quite strong aroma that enriches the soup. Next put in diced tomatoes to the pot. Combine and stir and cook approximately 2 minutes. Place chili powder and cumin in the pot and stir.
These spices form the famous taste of the tortilla soup. The Broth and Vegetables should be added. Add the chicken broth to the pot and the tomato mixture. Keep stirring to blend the stirred, the ingredients. Then add black beans and kernels of corn. Let the soup simmer in approximately 10 minutes.
This period is referred to as the melded flavors and forms a nutritious broth. Add the shredded chicken into the pot then. Cook the soup a further 5 minutes. The soup finally starts to be fragrant and taste good.
Tortilla Strips: Making Tortillas
Tortilla strips contribute to the texture of the soup. First of all, slices the corn tortillas into thin strips. Add some oil to a skillet and then warm it.
Add the tortilla strips and cook it (approximately 2 to 3 minutes) till they are golden and crispy. Put the strips on a paper towel to dry them and eliminate oil. Instead, it is also possible to bake tortilla strips in the oven to make them healthier.
Assembling the Soup
Pour the hot soup into service bowls. Crispy strips of tortillas should be sprinkled next. The toppings can be optional including avocado slices, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro. Lastly add lemon juice to the soup as a garnish. These additions add flavor to the dish and to the appearance of the dish also.
Serving Suggestions
Tortilla soup is hot and should be served hot. It may be taken as an appetizer or a full meal. Furthermore, fresh bread or tortilla chips can be eaten with the soup. In the meantime, others like having an addition of extra salsa to give it a spicy taste. Due to the diverse ingredients used to prepare the soup, the soup is filling and satisfying.
Guidelines to Perfect Tortilla Soup
Better to use fresh chicken broth. Slowly cook the soup to enable the spices to mature. Tortilla strips can be made immediately when the dish is served in order to maintain their crispiness. Add fresh lime juice to add sumptuous flavor.
Place topings in a balance in such a way that they enhance the soup and not overwhelm it. These tricks can be used to make a soup that looks like in a restaurant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Excessive overcooking of the chicken can make it dry up. The number of spices added could overwhelm the natural ones. Tortilla strips can be used to decrease the texture since they are soaked. The omission of toppings can make the soup less tasty. Hence proper planning is the key to maximum results.
Conclusion
Mexican chicken tortilla soup is a cozy and warm meal that unites soft chicken, broth with spicy taste and tortilla strips. It is a popular meal in most of the homes due to its well-balanced ingredients and the aroma it has. Moreover, the soup can be customized very much. The toppings and spices can be customized to suit the individual taste with ease.
Due to the easy ingredients of the recipe and the basic cooking procedures, any person can make this dish at home. Using this recipe, I was able to have a tasty and true-to-life Mexican-inspired soup that is optimal at any celebration.
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