Mexican Chicken Soup

Living in Texas I have had my share of Mexican food-some good, some bad. This recipe is absolutely delicious and will satisfy a Tex-Mex craving. I adapted a few things from the original recipe after making it a few times, below is my version. Enjoy!

Ingredients

•   4 chicken breasts, bone in, skin on

•   Olive oil

•   Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

•   2 cups chopped onions (about 2 onions)

•   1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)

•   2 cups chopped carrots (about 4 carrots)

•   4 large cloves garlic, chopped

•   2 1/2 quarts chicken stock

•   1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree, chopped

•   2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

•   1 teaspoon ground cumin

•   1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

•   3 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas

Directions

For serving: sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro leaves, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and homemade tortilla chips*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts skin side up on a sheet pan. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until done. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, and shred the meat. Cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions start to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes with their puree, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season to taste. Serve the soup hot topped with sliced avocado, a pinch of fresh cilantro leaves, a dollop of sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips.

*To make homemade tortilla chips for garnish, cut 3 corn tortillas in strips and fry in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa at Home