MIKE'S SPICY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SOUP

Mike's Spicy Southwest Chicken Soup image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/3 ounces cilantro, whole stems and leaves
1 1/2 cups strained plum Roma tomatoes
Pinch ground cumin
2 tablespoons lime juice
8 cups chicken stock
1 dried ancho chile
Sea salt and pepper
8 corn tortillas
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Southwest seasoning mixture
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack
2 tomatoes, diced
2 avocados, diced
2 green onions, sliced

Steps:

In a saute pan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add yellow onion, garlic, and cilantro. Saute to a golden brown. In a food processor, combine the sauteed mixture and the Roma tomatoes and process until smooth.
In the same saute pan, over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add tomato mixture, cumin, and lime juice. Cook until thickened and darkened for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently or as necessary to avoid scorching. Transfer mixture to a large saucepan.
Over medium-low heat, add chicken stock and acho chile to saucepan. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mixture is moderately thickened (approximately 30 minutes.) You may season, to taste, with salt and black pepper when this process is complete.
While soup is cooking, cut tortillas into thin strips. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil. Drop tortilla strips in hot oil. Turn with tongs until crisp and brown, approximately 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Place aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Coat chicken breasts with Southwest seasoning mixture. Place on a sheet pan and bake until internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Remove from oven. Set chicken aside to rest. Chop into bite-sized pieces, preserving coating as much as possible.
Place desired amount of fried tortilla strips in bowl, top with prepared baked chicken pieces. Ladle soup over top. Garnish with shredded cheese, tomato, avocado, and green onions. This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.