Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

I've been wanting to make this soup for awhile now. Today is cold and rainy and it just seems like the perfect thing to make. I also decided to make this version a low cal treat to balance out the bad stuff I've been eating lately. It came out AWESOME! So happy about it! Now you go make it!

Here we go:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 jalapenos, finely diced
1/4 c sliced green pepper 

In a large saucepan heat the vegetable oil. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Once the onions have softened add the garlic, green pepper and jalapenos and cook for another minute.

Then:
2 teaspoons cumin 
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 cups low-sodium, fat free or low fat chicken broth

Add spices and mix. Pour the chicken broth in and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can corn, rinsed and drained

Pour the tomatoes, corn and beans into the pot and bring to a boil. 

Take 2 - 3 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces or shredded with hands. Once at a boil lower heat to simmer and add your chicken. Let it simmer.

2 limes, juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 (8-inch) flour tortillas, grilled, cut into thin strips or fried (I pan fried mine with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light)
1 avocado, pitted, sliced (optional)
1 cup shredded Monterrey cheese

Add lime juice and fresh cilantro to the pot. Ladle soup and top with a lime wedge, grilled/fried tortilla strips, avocado slices and cheese.

Seriously - I couldn't be happier than the way it turned out. SOOooooo good! I looked at a bunch of recipes and combined a few to get this, so you can't find it anywhere else online except right here. HOLLA!!!!!