Chicken Tortilla Soup From Scratch

As promised, here is my famous chicken tortilla soup recipe.  This time, I used the leftovers from Ultimate Grilled Mexican Chicken Salad to construct the whole thing.  If you are wanting to make this from scratch and don't have any leftovers, I will give you simple tips to do that too.  There is just something about chicken and vegetables simmering in a warm, spicy Mexican broth that is simply irresistible.  This soup is inexpensive, simple to make, and might just be the best tortilla soup you've ever eaten.  This is a favorite in our household, especially as the weather starts to take a turn in the fall.  Keep lefovers in the fridge and warm up a bowl whenever the mood strikes.  Enjoy.

Simple recipes can make the best meals

Ingredients:
8c homemade chicken stock or use store bought (to make, place chicken bones from your cooked whole chicken into a crock pot, cover with filtered water, add a splash of vinegar, and boil on low for 24 hours with a bit of garlic, onion, celery, and carrot)
Whole chicken, cooked, skin removed, meat diced (see here for how to grill a whole chicken)
1 poblano pepper, diced (I used 2c of my leftover grilled peppers from the recipe linked above but you can use raw peppers if you didn't make any the night before)
2 green peppers, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
2tbs garlic, minced
1tbs grass fed butter
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1tbs ancho chile powder
1tbs mexican chile powder, plus more to taste
2tsp cumin, plus more to taste
2tsp garlic powder, plus more to taste
pinch cayenne, more if you like it spicy
salt to taste
2 bay leaves
cilantro, for serving

Directions:
1. In a large stockpot, heat 1tbs butter.  Add garlic and onion and cook until onion is soft.  Add your peppers, chicken, diced tomatoes, and homemade chicken stock.  Stir in chile powders, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne.  Add 2 bay leaves.
2. Bring to a boil and then simmer 30-60 minutes or until the flavors have blended.  Taste, adjust seasonings as needed and add as much salt and pepper as you desire.
3. Serve hot with cilantro for serving.
NOTE:  Alternatively, you could make this using the slow cooker.  Throw it all in the crock pot and cook on high for 3 or 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours.