Chicken Tortilla Soup - A Crazy Good Soup!

Chicken Tortilla Soup was the recipe I made this weekend to take to the ski lodge. Nate took one spoonful and said "I don't know what this soup is even called but I do know it's crazy good! Just call it crazy good soup mom." We all laughed and then Tyler and Zachary chimed in and started saying how amazing it was too. Then Dave started on how delicious it was. Honestly, I agreed with all of them too it was that good. The best thing about this soup is how it tastes, the second thing is it's smell! Oh my gosh, the second I took the cover off of the crockpot it smelled like salsa was just freshly pureed. Honestly, people who were sitting next to us were taking in an extra breath just to smell the aroma! I love it when I try a recipe for the first time and it turns out WAY better than expected.

This soup was the perfect ski lodge meal to warm our bodies. Ski conditions were perfect with tons of fresh snow, the sun was beaming and it was cold. Probably a little too cold...didn't hit past 10 degrees. Also didn't help that we got hit with another snow storm. Schools and highways closed for 2 days. Luckily Dave got us to Ellicottville in under 3 hours taking the side roads. 

I've made hundreds of soups over the years but I never ventured to make tortilla soup. It always looks delicious in cooking magazines or on food sites from the internet. And I know why it's called tortilla soup...it tastes like you are taking a big bite out of a taco with the freshest ingredients. There are chipotle chilies and jalapeño peppers so there is a kick to the soup, but not over powering. There is also lots of fresh cilantro and lime juice which gives it a refreshing taste. The toppings, like the tortilla strips, add layers of flavor and crunch. There is a medly of shredded cheese on the top and the heat of the soups melts it and it's all gooey, but so good! Everyone had seconds with the exception of Tyler, he had thirds! The soup was that delicious. 

This recipe took about 4o minutes to prepare. I typically like making quicker prep meals for the ski lodge since I generally make them in the morning before we leave. You could easily make this the night before and keep it refrigerated. Or if you have have the extra time and want to impress, this a well worth the effort. It's very easy to make, there are just several steps. 

Based on my families positive food impressions on this soup, it's one I plan on making again and again and again! Salute to Chicken Tortilla Soup - the crazy good soup!

Look at all the gorgeous colors of this soup

Healthy and so flavorful

Use a rotisserie chicken for easy prep

Add the vegetables first

Then add the fresh cilantro and lime juice

Add prepared tortilla strips for that crunch

The soup toppings, be as creative as you want

Chicken Tortilla Soup to warm your body and soul

Ready to head to the ski lodge

Amazing day of skiing and amazing day for soup

Dave and Nate

Tyler and Zachary

Tortilla Soup (Click to print recipe)

Prep and cook time: 40 prep, 3 hours in crockpot or on stovetop

Serves 10

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and diced 

1 bag of frozen corn

1 cup of frozen carrots

1 small onion, diced

2 cans black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 small can chipotle chilies

1 jalapeño peppers, diced and seeded, or use seeds for extra heat.

2 tb minced garlic

1/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro

3 tb lime juice

12 cups chicken stock
salt n pepper to taste

For garnish:

*cooked white rice

Shredded Monterey jack, cheddar cheese or manchego cheese

Tortilla strips (Most grocery stores sell packaged tortilla strips)

Lime juice

Sour cream

Scallions

Fresh cilantro 

In a crockpot, add the diced chicken and all of the other ingredients. Stir and let cook on high heat for 3 hours.

Add a spoonful of *white rice to each bowl. Add a large spoonful of soup over top and add garnish of choice.

Food Impressions:

Nate: "I don't know what this soup is called but it's CRAZY good!"

Tyler: "Mom this soup is amazing, the flavors taste like a taco! I love the cheese and the nacho chip topping." He had thirds!

Zachary: "What is that smell??? Yummm! Wow, this soup is the best! It's warming me up. Can you give me the rest of the cheese on my soup?"

Dave: "The smell of the soup is crazy good. You have to make this soup again…it's honestly delicious and I love the layers of flavor."

Andrea: Perfect ski lodge soup! Your family and friends will love this soup and it will be sure to impress. Can't wait to make this again and again and again!