Harvest Chicken Tortilla Soup

This hearty soup is packed to the rim with harvest vegetables from the farmers market. It's so laden with goodies you might be tempted to call it a stew – and no one will disagree. Don't let the lengthy list of ingredients intimidate you; this soup is easily prepared in less than an hour.

Harvest Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is meant to be thick. If you like, add more chicken stock for a soupier consistency.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 narrow medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 medium poblano pepper, stemmed and seeded, thinly sliced

  • 1 medium sweet red pepper, stemmed and seeded, finely diced

  • 1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed and seeded, finely chopped
  • 
4 cups chicken stock
  • 
1 (28-ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, with juice
  • 
1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
  • 
1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 
3/4 pound shredded cooked chicken

  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels

  • 1 cup cooked black beans

  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Tortilla chips, broken into pieces

To Prepare

  1. Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the peppers and zucchini; sauté until brightened in color and beginning to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock, plum tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
  2. Stir in the chicken, corn, and beans. Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat until thoroughly heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and taste for seasoning. Ladle into bowls and serve garnished with tortilla chips.