This is my absolute favourite soup and once you try it will probably (hopefully) be yours too.
The whole thing is just sooooo good. The slightly spicy broth with the tender chicken bits, the chunky tomatoes, the melting cheese, the tortilla chips, the avocado……Yum!
You start off with sautéing onion, pepper and garlic in olive oil until nice and glossy, You add your seasoning and flour. Then tomatoes, salsa and chicken stock. Add a little liquid smoke if you have it, to add that awesome smoky-ness to the soup. Bring to a simmer and add the chicken. Cook for about 25 minutes. So simple right?
Once cooked thru, you shred the chicken and pop it back in to the pot with beans and corn. Simmer for another five minutes until everything is completely heated thru and that’s it.
The Chipotle is essential to this soup. This is what makes it Oaxacan. The Chipotle however goes on top not in the soup. This tortilla soup is simple but very flavorful and quick to make.
I like to cook the chicken in the soup, because it adds flavour to the stock, but you can easily use left over rotisserie or cooked chicken.

Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking Time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, peeled and chopped fine
• 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and grated or chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped fine
• 1 tbsp. taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp. flour
• one 14.5 oz. / 400 gr. diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes plus same amount water
• one 8 oz. / 230 gr. jar chunky salsa, medium hot
• 24 ounces (3 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)
• 2 large chicken breasts
• one 14.5 oz. / 400 gr. can black beans, drained and rinsed
• one small can of corn, drained.
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
for serving:
• Tortilla Chips
• One Chipotle in adobo, chopped
• lime wedges
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely minced
• 1 sliced or diced avocado for serving
• shredded cheese
• sour cream, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

Get out a large pot with a thick bottom. Put on medium heat and add the two tablespoons of olive oil.
Add the chopped onion, pepper and garlic and saute until glossy and light golden brown.
Add the taco seasoning and the flour. Stir around before adding the canned tomatoes plus one can water, taco sauce and chicken stock.
Bring to a simmer.
Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 20 minutes or until cooked thru.
Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks into bit sized pieces.
Return to the tomato soup base and add the beans and corn and cilantro.
Simmer for about ten minutes until completely heated thru.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Add salt and pepper if necessary.
Crush some tortilla chips into each bowl and ladle over the soup.
Serve topped with avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, chopped chipotle and a few more tortilla chips. 

Enjoy!