Tortilla Soup (simplified)

This is a simplified version of Tortilla Soup. 

Ingredients:

1 skinless chicken breast (cut into 2 inch cubes)

1 can diced tomatoes (mexican or spicy if you can get them)

2 cans vegetable or chicken broth

1 onion (sliced into wedges)

2 cloves garlic (crushed and chopped)

1 lime 

1 avocado 

sour cream (you will only use 1 or 2 scoops as a finishing garnish so not much is needed)

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon paprika (or chili powder)

few shakes hot sauce 

salt/pepper to taste 

4 or 5 Tablespoons olive oil or butter 

1 bay leaf (if you have one otherwise no big deal)

1 package tortilla chips

Heat your oil in the pan (one large enough to hold all the chicken, so in my case the 'large pan') to medium heat. Once oil is hot (usually 5 minutes or less) toss in the chicken and add a little salt and pepper. Brown the chicken on all sides and then set aside on a plate for later.

Turn down the heat to about 1/4 and then heat more oil and add garlic and onions for a few minutes, till the onions are soft and translucent. 

Add the chicken broth, cumin, paprika, bay, tomatoes, hot sauce, and a bit of salt and pepper and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for around 15-20 minutes. Add the chicken in the last 5 minutes. Before serving just squeeze the lime in and then garnish with diced avocado, sour cream, and the chips. 

If you want to stretch you dollar (or euro in our case) just add a few cups of H2O and a bit more seasoning before simmering. 

Enjoy