Chicken and Lime Tortilla Soup

Submitted by Battle in Seattle

"Well, okay--it might not be your traditional tortilla soup. I challenge you to try this one. I think it's way better. Had something similar at a Mexican restaurant in CA--came home and found this to be so comforting and extremely addictive. Can't tell you how many times I've made it (by request) since then. . ."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 2 cups medium-grain brown rice, cooked according to directions
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 large chicken breast halves, bone-in & skin-on (about 1.5 lbs.)
• 1 large yellow onion, small dice
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• cayenne pepper
• 2 limes, juice of, to 3 to taste
• 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional)

• GARNISH

• avocado, diced
• tortilla chips, crushed
• lime wedge
• Cotija cheese, crumbled
• fresh cilantro, chopped coarsely

directions

1. Cut each piece of chicken into two, through the middle horizontally, to make four equal pieces. (Use a large sharp knife or kitchen shears to get through the bone.).
2. In a large stock pot or dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Add about 3/4 of the diced onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until mildly soft and slightly charred looking--but not burned.
4. Remove onion with slotted spoon and set aside. Add the rest of the oil and reduce heat to medium.
5. Salt and pepper chicken pieces, then lay skin side down in oil. Saute until well browned (4-5 minutes), then flip over and saute 3-4 more minutes.
6. Add whole can of tomatoes, chicken broth, ALL of the onion and jalapeno. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
7. Add oregano and salt and simmer for 20 minutes more, uncovered.
8. Remove chicken from stock, discard skin and bones and shred meat with two forks.
9. Add cayenne pepper and lime juice to taste (should be slightly spicy and slightly tart).
10. At this point, soup will be fairly chunky. You can blend with a standing burr mixer in the pot, or throw the soup into a blender to smooth out. Or, you can eat it chunky. Whatever.
11. Add chicken meat back to stock and reheat.
12. Put desired amount of cooked rice in individual bowls, then ladle soup over top and garnish as desired.
13. NOTE: To store leftovers, rice must be kept separate from soup, or it will absorb all of the liquid!

Reviews

[Madeline M.]

Just made this for the 100th time, a go-to since you shared the recipe many years ago in our TSA days! Always a hit!