Mexican Chicken Soup

My mother has been raving about this Barefoot Contessa recipe for some time.  The cool fall weather prompted me to finally make it!

This Mexican Chicken Soup — often called Tortilla Soup — has great flavor from the tomato, jalapeno, cumin, and coriander.  Tortilla strips actually serve to thicken the soup.

Just like her chicken salad recipes, the Barefoot Contessa roasts and then shreds bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts.  The chicken turns out so moist and delicious.

Don’t forget the garnishes — avocado, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips.

I served the soup with a simple cheese quesadilla for a delicious dinner!  There is some leftover soup in our freezer.  Looking forward to having it on a cold evening!

Mexican Chicken Soup
Barefoot Contessa

•    4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
•     Good olive oil
•     Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•     2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
•     1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
•     2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)
•     4 large cloves garlic, chopped
•     2 1/2 quarts chicken stock, preferably homemade
•     1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
•     2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
•     1 teaspoon ground cumin
•     1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
•     1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, optional
•     6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas

For serving: sliced avocado, sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts skin side up on a sheet pan. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until done. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, and shred the meat. Cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions start to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes with their puree, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, 1 tablespoon salt (depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock), 1 teaspoon pepper, and the cilantro, if using. Cut the tortillas in 1/2, then cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch strips and add to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season to taste. Serve the soup hot topped with sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and broken tortilla chips.