Embark on a gastronomic escapade with a creation that transcends the mundane—Tortilla Soup with Chicken. Imagine a symphony of flavors, a dance of textures; a journey that tantalizes the senses and elevates the soul.

Wholesome and Flavorful:

Try These Easy Ground Chicken Recipes for Delicious Soups and Chip Dips!

Indulge in the allure of soup with chips—more than a mere dish, it’s a culinary revelation! Imagine the richness of a smoky, garlicky, tomatoey broth. Shredded chicken breasts become the protagonists. A medley of lively garnishes takes center stage.

This isn’t a soup; it’s a culinary rhapsody, an easy sell for those seeking comfort and an explosion of flavors on their palate.

But wait, there’s more! Tortilla soup matures with time, evolving into a masterpiece, making it the ideal candidate for a winter weeknight dinner. Prepare in advance, heat, and savor the warmth on a chilly evening.

Ingredients:

In the alchemy of culinary creation, assemble the ensemble:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 5 peeled garlic cloves

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of salt, a divided harmony

• 1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns, adding a zesty note

• A handful of cilantro stems and leaves, a verdant crescendo

• 2 to 3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, bringing a spicy cadence

• A 15-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes in their juicy overture

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the culinary conductor

• 1 medium white onion, chopped in a symphony of textures

• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, a subtle bass note

• ½ teaspoon of optional Mexican oregano, a surprising grace note

For Garnish, the pièce de résistance:

• Tortilla chips, a crispy overture

• Sliced avocado, a creamy interlude

• Sour cream or plain yogurt, a luscious harmony

• Chopped cilantro, a fragrant counterpoint

• Lime wedges, a citrusy finale

Instructions: Choreography in the Kitchen

The culinary ballet commences:

• Chicken breasts take the stage in a 3-quart pot, a water symphony infused with garlic, salt, peppercorns, and cilantro. A simmering crescendo, foam skimmed—a prelude to perfection.

• The chicken poaches an exquisite ballet of 15 minutes, emerging tender and triumphant. Simmering broth becomes the background score, setting the tone for the soup’s symphony.

• Garlic cloves, the unsung heroes, join the onion in a Dutch oven ballet, a golden waltz over medium heat. Tomatoes and chipotle step in, a fusion of textures, blended to a velvety crescendo with an immersion blender or a transfer to a blender.

As the pot simmers, the lid askew, steam escapes and the mixture thickens—a savory climax in six minutes. Stock, salt, cumin, and optional oregano join, stirring into a harmonious melody. Remove the lid, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Chicken, shredded or chopped, rejoins the pot—a culinary reunion, a few minutes to warm through. Seasoning is an improvisational cadence; taste and adjust as needed.

The finale awaits: serve the symphony topped with tortilla chips and a garnish medley. Every mouthful is an explosion of flavors and textures. It’s like an epicurean sonnet or a culinary tapestry woven with complexity and burstiness.