The Naughty Things I Do for Chicken Tortilla Soup

El Fenix Restaurant is a Dallas institution open since 1913. I had my first job waiting tables there and had a bowl of this soup everyday. I won't bother you with the details of what I had to do to get this coveted recipe out of temperamental Chef Jorge... but it is illegal in about half of the states.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 14 1⁄2 ounces canned tomatoes, undrained
• 1  medium onion, diced
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 2  tablespoons cilantro or 2  tablespoons parsley
• 1⁄4 teaspoon sugar
•  salt and pepper
•  Tabasco sauce
• 5  cups chicken broth
• 2  chicken breasts, boiled, deboned and cubed
• 2  cups monterey jack cheese, cubed
• 2  medium avocados, cubed
•  tortilla chips
•  lime

Directions

1. In blender combine undrained tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and sugar.
2. Pulse in blender until chunky.
3. In large saucepan, add vegetable mixture and chicken broth and chicken pieces.
4. Simmer 20 minutes, season to taste.
5. To serve:
6. Place cheese, avocado, and broken chips on bottom of bowl. Pour very hot soup over this in bowl. Sprinkle with fresh green onion tops and cilantro/parsley.
7. Sprinkle with lime juice, if desired.