Mexican Chicken Soup

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In Jane Coxwell's take on a classic tortilla soup, which she makes with tomatoes with flour tortillas stand in for the usual corn tortillas. Slideshow:  More Chicken Soup Recipes 

Mexican Chicken Soup
Photo: © Brooke Fitts
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 40 mins
Yield:
4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 10 cups water

  • One 3 1/2-pound chicken

  • 3 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered

  • 1 medium carrot, sliced 1/2 inch thick

  • 1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 small cinnamon stick

  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • Salt

  • Pepper

  • 2 small flour tortillas, halved

  • 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions

  1. In a saucepan, combine the water, chicken, tomatoes, carrot, onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon and the 1/2 cup of cilantro. Add a generous pinch each of salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer over moderately low heat for 30 minutes, skimming as necessary. Discard the cinnamon stick and continue simmering until the chicken is cooked through, 30 minutes longer.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, toast the tortillas over moderate heat, turning once, until crisp in spots, 3 minutes. Cut the tortillas into thin strips.

  3. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let cool slightly. Shred the meat; discard the skin and bones. Return the chicken to the saucepan and reheat the soup. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with the tortilla strips and cilantro and serve.

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