Aunt Kathy's Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder, and paprika and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, chicken, corn, and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Serve warm with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and additional cilantro, if desired.

Interesting Facts

• Tortilla soup is a popular Mexican dish made with a tomato-based broth.
• It is usually made with chicken, but can also be made with other types of proteins such as beef, shrimp, or tofu.
• The soup is topped with crunchy tortilla strips, and accompanied with sides such as sour cream and avocado.