Spicy Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup

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== Description ==
Here is an incredibly good soup. I have used Frito chips as a garnish and it was great! You can also cut a flour tortilla into thin strips and deep-fry in oil for tortilla strips. 
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
== Ingredients ==
* 1 small onion - minced
* 2 cloves garlic - minced
* 2 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
* 15 oz can tomato sauce
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup medium chunky salsa
* ½ of a 4.5 oz can chopped jalapeno peppers (for spicier soup, use whole
can)
* 5 - 6 dashes of Tabasco
* 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
* 2 tsp granulated sugar
* ½ tsp salt
* ½ tsp black pepper
* ½ cup all-purpose flour mixed with ½ cup water
* 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken, cooked and cubed
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream
* ½ cup sour cream - low-fat okay
* 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed (low-fat okay)
* 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro - for garnish, optional
== Directions ==
# In a large pot over medium-high heat, sauté onions and garlic in oil until soft.
# Add the next 8 ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
# Whisk flour/water mixture into soup.
# Bring contents of pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
# Add chicken to pot and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
# Add cream, sour cream, and cheese to pot; stir until cheese has melted.
# Pour soup into bowls, garnish with cilantro (if desired).
 
== Hints and tips ==
I baked the chicken in the oven at 375 °F for 1 hour. Before baking, I brushed both sides of chicken with olive oil and seasoned with Pampered Chef Southwestern Seasoning and cumin. After removing from the oven, I let them cool then cut into cubes. 
For the Toys for Tots soup lunch, I doubled the recipe.
Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Soup Recipes
Category:Chicken Recipes