CHIPOTLE CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• Make stock:
• Bring all stock ingredients to a boil with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in an 8-to 10-quart heavy pot, then skim foam.
• Reduce heat and gently simmer, uncovered, skimming foam occasionally, 2 3/4 hours.
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board, then pour stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl and discard solids. Reserve
• 1 cup stock and return remainder to cleaned pot.
• Finish soup:
• Toast spices in a dry small skillet (not nonstick) over medium-low heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until fragrant and a shade darker, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer spices to a blender along with onion, garlic, chipotles with adobo sauce, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, and reserved stock.
• Blend until mixture is smooth and spices are ground, about 2 minutes (use caution when blending hot liquids).
• Add purée to stock in pot along with rice and sweet potatoes and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer, covered, until sweet potatoes and rice are tender, about 45 minutes.
• While soup simmers, discard skin and bones from chicken and cut or shred meat into bite-size pieces.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Stack tortillas and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips, then toss with oil. Spread strips in 1 layer on 2 large baking sheets and season with salt.
• Bake, stirring frequently and switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until deep golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.
• When rice and sweet potatoes are tender, add chicken and beans to soup and simmer, uncovered, until just heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, quarter avocados lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Season soup with salt and pepper, then serve with lime wedges, chopped cilantro, avocados, and tortilla strips.