Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe is super easy but so yummy. I posted it here a year or two ago but it is worth repeating.

Here is the back story: I had a great chicken tortilla soup years ago at a restaurant and I went looking for a recipe so that I could make it at home. I never did find that same recipe but I found 2 recipes that both looked good so I took a little bit from one and some from another and came up with this recipe that is pretty darn close. I love this recipe because with the exception of avocado, I always have all of the ingredients on hand. It's one of those recipes that is so adaptable that I no longer follow a recipe when I make it. I just do it from memory so it is a little bit different each time. LOL Sometimes I add more rice to make it thicker, I have substituted diced tomatoes for the stews ones, I have even made this without the chicken when I thought I had some in the freezer but didn't.

I make the soup mild since I have young kids (who LOVE this soup - DD2 had 3 bowls for dinner last night). DH likes it spicy so I add hot sauce and/or red pepper flakes to his or even some pickled jalapenos.

Easy Tortilla Soup
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts-about 1 lb.
2 -14 oz. cans Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 cans of Mexican corn, drained (regular corn will work too or you can add regular corn and a small can of green chilies)
1 ½ cup uncooked rice
3 (14.5oz) cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1 package taco seasoning mix
2 cans black beans (my kids won't eat beans so I skip this when making it for the family)


Toppings:
tortilla Chips, crushed
1 cup shredded Jack or Cheddar cheese
1 avocado
½ cup finely chopped cilantro
dollop of sour cream

Heat chicken broth and water to a boil in a 4qt saucepan. Add chicken, reduce heat and cook until opaque (20-30 minutes). Remove meat and cut into bite size pieces place in fridge. Add tomatoes, corn and taco seasoning and rice to pot. Bring to a boil; cook 15 minutes. Add chicken. Add additional cup of water if too thick. Spoon into bowls and add cheese, tortilla strips, cilantro and avocado.

I make it mild since my kids are small but DH likes it spicy so I add hot sauce and/or red pepper flakes to his bowl.

I can't wait for lunch time so that I can have leftovers!