Ingredients
Soup:
- 4 large plum tomatoes
- 1 small white onion or a 1-inch-thick slice of a large white onion, peeled
- 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 1 medium dried New Mexico chile, stemmed, seeded, and torn into large pieces
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 corn tortillas, torn into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tortilla strips:
- 6 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
- Vegetable oil, for shallow frying
- 6 to 8 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, optional for garnish
- Mexican sour cream or regular sour cream, for serving
- 2 avocados, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes or slices
- 1 queso fresco or mild feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Soup: Heat a heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes, peeled onion, and unpeeled garlic cloves. Roast, turning frequently, until the garlic is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove the garlic when soft, but slightly blackened. Peel the garlic and set aside. Add the chile and continue to cook for another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the onion and set aside. Continue to cook the tomatoes until charred and blackened, another 5 minutes. Put the garlic, chile, onion, tomatoes, tortillas, and 2 cups chicken broth in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan and add the remaining 4 cups chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Tortilla strips: In a medium, heavy skillet, pour enough oil to reach a depth of 1/2 an inch. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Add the tortilla strips in batches and fry until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
To serve, ladle the soup into 6 individual serving bowls. Serve whole chipotle chiles, Mexican sour cream, avocados, cheese, and tortilla strips on the side.
Notes
The blended corn tortillas act as thickeners. This soup should not be as thick as a cream soup, but should have some body.
1 Video | Photo: Classic Tortilla Soup Recipe













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By MrsV20
Hawthorne, CA
on May 22, 2012
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This was so yummy! The best part is that is was also easy. Definitely a keeper. I made a couple of slight adjustments - added a Chile de arbol (for extra spice and a pinch of cumin. It was awesome with queso fresco and avocado.
By dancing4life
La Habra, CA
on March 26, 2012
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Oh my goodness! I have made many very good tortilla soups but thought this was worth a try and I am sooo glad I did! It is excellent with a very authentic taste to it. Thank you Marcela:
By CeeCee's Kitchen
Woodbridge, NJ
on March 23, 2012
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Really healthy, easy and quick to make. Most tortilla soup recipes are just too much. This was perfect. I also added some shredded chicken.
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