What does your idea of heaven look like? Not philosophically, but what your dream world would look like. For me, paradise is found somewhere at the bottom of a soup bowl. Chicken Tortilla Soup is good for my soul.
Almost every culture has its own variation on chicken soup because it is one of the most gratifying and universal dishes on the face of the Earth. It’s the ultimate comfort meal. Soup kitchens have been a way for local communities to offer support, both nutritional and emotional to their less fortunate neighbors. So, one could say, that it is a spiritual way to feed the body and soul. It has healing magic that makes people feel better when they are suffering.
Like religion, soup can take many forms, and those who practice its philosophy can warm you from the inside out. You’ve probably heard of Stone Soup. It’s an enlightening story about sharing and the effect it can have on others. When two weary travelers stumble into a wealthy village, all the inhabitants deny them a meal. The two travelers publicly declare that they will make soup from a stone. Out of curiosity, the villagers provide all the ingredients, one by one, to make the soup. After all the villagers have made their contributions, they pronounce the soup the most delicious they have ever eaten. They learn that the real “magic” behind this soup is sharing.
Jesus caused the bread and fish to multiply which was even more miraculous. Perhaps he caused people to look inside themselves, have a change of heart, and share what little they had so that He could create a meal everyone could enjoy. It turned out to be more than enough. When we take His words to heart and share with one another, we always leave feeling fulfilled.
For me, soup is a lot like family. Each ingredient enhances the others, and it needs time to blend to reach its full flavor. When you have good stock, you can make almost anything out of it. At my table, you are all family, and I am going to keep on sharing and loving soup forever and ever. Amen.
Chicken Tortilla Soup for the Soul
INGREDIENTS
For The Chicken
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2-4 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 8-10 ounces boneless chicken breasts, flattened to ¼ inch thickness
For the Soup
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water (or additional broth/tomato juice)
- 1 14-15 ounce can stewed tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (see garnish for lime zest)
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Garnish
- 2-3 teaspoons mild or hot green chilies, drained
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons fresh lime zest, optional
- 4 5-inch corn tortillas, cut into thin strips and oven-toasted until very crisp
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the first 6 ingredients in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside. Place chicken on broiler pan and season with salt. Spread with half of the garlic onion mixture. Broil 7-8 minutes per side or until cooked; set aside until cool enough to shred.
- Place 2 teaspoons olive oil in a saucepan; heat over medium heat. Add remaining half of garlic onion mixture and cook until golden brown for about 10-12 minutes. Add all remaining soup ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook 10-15 minutes.
- Take the back of a wooden spoon to help break apart the tomatoes and release of the juice (optional).
- Spoon soup into a bowl; add chicken and top each serving with chilies, cheese, lime zest, and tortilla strips. Serve immediately with sour cream on the side.
Notes: This is the recipe that I use when I have guests over. However, when it is just David and me, I make a few changes. First, I always double the recipe. Trust me on this. You will wish you had more. I am heavy on spices and garlic. That's just me; you do you. Second, I eliminate the water and use more broth or juice depending on what I have on hand. Third, I add the green chilies to the soup, as well as, lime zest. The limes take it to a celestial level.
