Chicken Tortilla Soup ala Steve recipe
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Chicken Tortilla Soup ala Steve

About ten years ago, my wife and I enjoyed a terrific bowl of tortilla soup at a cafe perched above the bustling streets of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I've been trying to reproduce it ever since; this is fairly close. The secret is in the lime juice and the freshly made tortilla crisps.

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Servings: 8 Servings
Total Time (median): 1 : 35 Active Time: 0 : 30

US/Metric: [convert to metric]

Ingredients

-- Optional Add-Ons --


Preparation

In a large stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons of oil to medium-high heat. Add crushed garlic and chopped onions, and stir until onions just start to brown. Add the can of crushed tomatoes, cumin, cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper, and half of the lime juice. Turn up the heat until it bubbles, stirring constantly, then gradually stir in chicken stock. Turn down to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add diced chicken. (Optionally add black beans or fresh corn kernels).

To make the tortilla crisps, julienne 12 corn tortillas into narrow, uniform strips. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of vegetable oil up to medium-high heat (takes about 5 minutes to come up to temperature -- be sure to test the heat of the oil by placing a corn tortilla bit into the oil -- it should bubble immediately). Deep-fry these tortilla strips in batches (2 mins or so -- do not let them turn a dark brown) -- transfer to paper towel to dry. They should be crispy.

When ready to serve, plate the soup, then top with a mound of the tortilla strips. Optionally add avocado, sour cream, cheese, fresh corn kernels.

Squeeze fresh lime juice into each bowl at the table.

Soup itself can be made ahead, but make the corn tortilla strips fresh, just prior to serving... it's worth it.


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- suggested by BigOven Premium Member stevemur

Chicken Tortilla Soup ala Steve Reviews

100% would make "Chicken Tortilla Soup ala Steve" again.

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Love, love love this recipe! It is very simple to make, and very delicious!!

ClairefrenchClairefrench : posted from mobile device :  1d 5h 53min ago


This is a very flavorful soup. I definatley reccomend adding a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) and 1 can of sweet corn if fresh corn is not available. We add a dollop of sour cream to each bowl before serving, and the kids love it!

Monique1978Monique1978 : posted from mobile device :  1d 6h 16min ago


Great Soup! The lime IS the key, what a fantastic flavour.

cheers!

pappagatorpappagator :  :  8w 2d ago


I loved this soup.... Only ended up adding 4 cups of stock though, I was scared it'd be too thin. With half the amount of liquid it had a nice spicy kick. Rolled the tortillas into a cigar shape and cut off thin curly rings and baked them in the oven for garnish with sour cream and grated cheddar.

DeadratboyDeadratboy :  :  18w 4d ago


This tortilla soup recipe was over the top good! We added black beans, corn to the soup while cooking and the avocado just before serving. Loved it!!

Laurie123Laurie123 : : 0:30 active time :  31w 3d ago


Glad you like the recipe! Quite frankly though I'm not sure I agree with the angel hair pasta recommendation. Angel hair pasta is Italian, not Mexican, and probably comes down to personal taste, but it just doesn't seem to be the right thing to add to this dish.

Instead, I'd suggest preceding this with Fresh Mexican Salsa and/or guacamole and chips, or follow it with Arroz con Pollo, enchiladas, taco or tostada salad, or another Mexican main dish.

stevemurstevemur : comment :  32w 5d ago


It is my first tortilla soup and it was great very first time. I have added some angel hair pasta too.

vegaswayvegasway : : 0:30 total time :  33w ago


I love this soup. I boiled and picked a whole chicken reserving the broth for the soup. I also used canned fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, whole kernel corn, and fresh cilantro. I found that a good bit of salt was needed to bring out the flavors. This soup is easy to prepare, I put 3 hours for cooking the chicken and simmering the soup. The next time I will incorporate some fire roasted chilies for a different level of spice and flavor. I plan on serving this for Super Bowl Sunday!!!

PanhandlemikePanhandlemike : : 3:00 total time : 0:45 active time :  44w 5d ago


Yum! We loved this soup. :o) I fried my tortilla strips in lard which is much better for you than vegetable oil (most oil turns rancid when you heat it up).

WhiteRavenWhiteRaven :  :  48w 1d ago


This dish would be great with some angel hair pasta.

SpiceJunkeeSpiceJunkee :  :  48w 5d ago


I added fresh corn, cut from the cob, about 15 minutes before it was finished, and it was a delicious addition. Simmered for about 2 1/2 hours total.

stevemurstevemur : : 2:30 total time : 0:20 active time :  1y 25w 3d ago


great soup; spicy but not too much

deeder5deeder5 :  :  1y 47w ago


very easy to make. Has good heat with the cayenne pepper

Jim3901Jim3901 :  :  1y 51w 4d ago


townsendtomtownsendtom : comment :  2y 43w 6d ago


[I made edits to this recipe.]

stevemurstevemur : comment :  3y 7w 2d ago


[I posted this recipe.]

stevemurstevemur : : 0:40 total time : 0:30 active time :  3y 7w 2d ago


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