April 6: Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
   Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 cups yellow corn tortilla chips (about 4 handfuls)
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 quart chicken stock or broth
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
   Zest and juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
4 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

Preheat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat and add the EVOO. Chop the chicken tenders into bite-size pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot soup pot.

Lightly brown the chicken, 3 to 4 minutes, then add the garlic, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, celery, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

While that is cooking, place the tortilla chips in a food processor and process until well ground. If you don't have a food processor, place the chips in a sealable plastic storage bag and crush with a rolling pin. Add the ground tortilla chips to the soup pot and stir to combine.

Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the sour cream. Pass the lime zest, chopped cilantro, and sliced scallions in shallow bowls for each person to add to taste.

4 SERVINGS

This was a very good soup. My in-laws are here visiting for the week, and I don't think they liked it because they usually tell me if they do. The cilantro and lime just make it so flavorsome. It is nice and creamy and full of tasty vegetables. I would eat it every day without the chicken. It would probably be better with less chicken or shredded chicken. We garnished our soup with tortilla chips. The only problem I have with this soup is that it doesn't say what to do with the hot sauce or the lime juice. Maybe an Internet search will help. We cut the lime into wedges and squeezed it into our bowls.