Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe comes from one of Rachael Ray's cookbooks, Rachael Ray: 365 No Repeats

This is a recipe that I've made before. It's a tasty soup. For some extra spice, I added some red pepper flakes and for some more chicken I used chicken breast instead of chicken tenderloins.

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1-1/2 pounds

chicken tenders

Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper

3 Garlic Cloves, chopped

1 Green Bell Pepper, cored, seeded and chopped

1 large Onion, chopped1 Jalapeno pepper minced (don't touch your eyes after cutting pepper until you have washed your hands)

2 celery ribs, finely chopped1/2 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 (store bought works fine unless you want to make it homemade)1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish

Zest and juice of 2 limes combined

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)

4 scallions (green onions) thinly sliced (use both the white and green parts)

1. Preheat a medium soup pot over medium high heat and add the olive oil ... a couple times around the inside of the pan should be fine.

2. Chop the chicken tenders into bite size pieces.

3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot soup pot.

4. Lightly brown the chicken for about 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.

5. While that is cooking place the tortilla chips in a food processor and process until well ground. I f you don't have a processor place the chips in a plastic storage bag and crush with a rolling pin.

6. Add the ground tortilla chips to the soup pot and stir to combine.

7. Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a simmer.

8. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes

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