classic tortilla soup with all the trimmings
Like guacamole, tortilla soup has a place in practically every collection of Mexican recipes — especially everyday recipes. It's a filling, flavorful meal that can be made with little effort, but one that sings with an unmistakable Mexican harmony: earthy dark pasilla chile, the softening crunch of toasty corn tortillas, soul-satisfying broth, and creamy-rich avocado and cheese. Tortilla Soup is the standard by which I judge all Mexican restaurants I visit – Chicken Tortilla Soup. To say that it is my favorite Mexican dish is an understatement. I am extremely critical of the preparation.
prep time
15 Min
cook time
30 Min
method
Stove Top
yield
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 large dried pasilla (negro) chile (see tip), stemmed and seeded
- 1 can 15-ounce) diced tomatoes in juice (preferably fire-roasted)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- 1 large epazote sprig
- - salt
- 4 - boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/4 pounds total), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup shredded mexican melting cheese (chihuahua, quesadilla, or asadero)
- 6 ounces roughly broken tortilla chips
- 1 large lime, cut into 6 wedges
How To Make classic tortilla soup with all the trimmings
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Step 1Quickly toast the chile by turning it an inch or two above an open flame for a few seconds until its aroma fills the kitchen.
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Step 2Lacking an open flame, toast it in a dry pan over medium heat, pressing it flat for a few seconds, then flipping it over and pressing it again.
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Step 3Break the chile into pieces and put in a blender jar along with the tomatoes with their juice. (A food processor will work, though it won't completely puree the chile.)
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Step 4Heat the oil in a medium (3- to 4-quart) saucepan over medium-high.
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Step 5Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 7 minutes.
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Step 6Scoop up the onion and garlic with a slotted spoon, pressing them against the side of the pan to leave behind as much oil as possible, and transfer to the blender.
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Step 7Process until smooth.
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Step 8Raise the heat under the pan to medium-high.
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Step 9When quite hot, add the puree and stir nearly constantly, until thickened to the consistency of tomato paste, about 6 minutes.
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Step 10Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
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Step 11Taste and season with about a teaspoon of salt (amount depends on the saltiness of the broth).
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Step 12Just before serving, add the chicken to the simmering broth.
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Step 13Divide the avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips among serving bowls.
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Step 14When the chicken is done, usually about 5 minutes, ladle the soup into the bowls.
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Step 15Garnish with a lime wedge.
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Step 16A note about pasilla (sometimes called negro) chile Its unique flavor defines tortilla soup in central Mexico. In Michoacán, it's ancho chile.
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Step 17In your kitchen, it might turn out to be another chile, like New Mexico or even a little smoky chipotle (be forewarned that chipotle will make the broth quite spicy).
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Step 18In Mexico, it's more common to crush toasted chile pods over the soup than to add it to the base. You can follow that lead, or do both as they do in restaurants.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
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