I eat only poultry, so I periodically find my fridge full of chicken and turkey of various persuasions and flavors - roasted, grilled, lonely "geboilta" soup chicken - and I feel prodded into repurposing the poultry into something yummy and filling. Is this starting to sound like a crazy version of "Chopped!" yet?
This week's enticing leftover: grilled Mexican chicken cutlets. Not enough for a meal, too much to dispose of without major guilt. You know what I mean?
Have I mentioned that I'd rather eat soup than any other food, except maybe ice cream? So clearly, I went ISO a soup recipe....and discovered something for you, my hot and spicy amigos y amigas: MAMACITA BENITA'S CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP!!!!!
If you're not a hot and spicy aficionado, I forgive you. I don't understand you, but I love you anyway. You may be excused to go get a bowl of ice cream now.
Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 bowls of soup
Ingredients
1 tbs olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
1 chipotle in adobe sauce, minced ****
1 tbs chili powder
6 cups of chicken broth (homemade, canned or Manischewitz-in-the-box)
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 small ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup shredded or cubed cooked chicken or turkey
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (yes, fresh makes a difference. 2 limes!)
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
Tortilla strips or chips and avocado slices or chunks for garnish
Preparation
1. Heat the oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, chipotle and chili powder. Cook until onion softens, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth and bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Add the corn and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes, chicken, lime juice, and black beans. Cook for an additional 6-8 minutes.
5. Divide into bowls and garnish as desired.
I TOLD YOU THIS IS SPICY!!!! You can add additional avocado, an extra shpritz of lime or some cooked grains (rice or couscous) to cool it down a bit.
****Chipotle peppers give sweet heat. You can find them in small cans in the Hispanic foods section of your grocery. Adobo sauce is what they are packed in. Remove one pepper with the sauce clinging to it, and mince finely.
