El Torito Chicken Tortilla Soup

Teddy's Mommy's Note:

Recipe from El Torito Mexican restaurant, Los Angeles, CA. Source Los Angeles Times 12-26-96.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 quarts chicken broth
• 1 red onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 boiling potato, diced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile in adobo, pureed
• 1 teaspoon pickled jalapeno pepper, chile seeded chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon cumin
• salt, to taste
• white pepper, to taste
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 lime, juice of
• 2 tablespoons sweet sherry (preferably Harvey's Bristol Cream)
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Garnishes

• 4 corn tortillas (cut into thin strips)
• oil
• 1/2 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 8 slices avocados
• fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:

1. Poach chicken breast in simmering chicken broth until done through, about 10 minutes.
2. Set aside until cool enough to handle and shred.
3. Combine chicken broth, chicken, red onion, carrots, potato, tomato paste, bay leaf, garlic, chipotle and jalapeno chilies, oregano, cumin and salt and pepper in large saucepan.
4. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
5. Correct seasoning, if necessary.
6. Add zucchini, squash, pepper, lime juice and Sherry.
7. Bring again to boil.
8. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
9. Add cilantro and mint.
10. Stir, then remove from heat.
11. To assemble, fry tortilla strips in hot oil until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
12. Ladle soup into each bowl.
13. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and tortilla strips.
14. Garnish each bowl with avocado slice and sprig cilantro. Serve at once.

Reviews

[HealRacMT]

I used to work for El Torito for 2 & 1/2 years and ate this soup most of my shifts. I made this recipe and it was EXACTLY the same! I was amazed! I like to add just a dallop of sour cream to my bowl. It's delicious!

[Esther in Atlanta, GA]

Followed the recipe but was unable to find chipotle chiles in adobe, used chipotle souse

[jesblu00]

Loved it so much and so did my kids. Wanted a recipe w lots of veggies and this delivered. My kids gobbled it up (although I added sour cream to theirs).
Here are my mods: 1 quart less stock, added half a poblano, used a fresh jalapeno, and extra chipotle (maybe 3/4 teaspoon instead of 1/4), also used sweet potato instead of regular potato. It is my new favorite soup (kids too)