Tortilla Soup

I love tortilla soup but every time I make it I find it lacking. For this reason I have never made it the same way twice, always trying to find my perfect recipe. Well, I think I've come close at last. This is an adaptation from Jen and Lauren's recipes with a chicken marinade I found that I think is what makes the soup.

Tortilla Soup

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes or strips

Chicken Marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp lime juice

2 tsp Worcestershire

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tp pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can beef broth (14 1/4 oz)

1 tsp chili powder

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together. Add chicken and mix well to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Soup:

I garlic clove, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 Tbsp margarine

2 14 1/2 oz cans chopped or stewed tomatoes

2 14 1/2 oz cans chicken broth

1 cup salsa (we use Pace chunky, a 16oz jar will be about a cups worth)

1Tbsp ground cumin1 can black beans

2 tbs, seeded and chopped jalapeno (Lauren's recipe calls fr this but I never use it since I like my soup more mild)

In a crockpot melt margarine and add onions and garlic. Saute until onions are tender. Or saute them in a pan and pour them into the crockpot when tender. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and add all contents of marinade and chicken. Stir to mix. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-6 hours.

Toppings:

tortilla chips

sour cream

shredded cheese

diced avocado

To serve put chips on bottom of bowl and ladle soup over top. Add cheese, a dollop of sour cream and avocado on top. Mmmmm.