Chicken Tortilla

 **Chicken Tortilla Soup with Charred Corn and Fire-Roasted Tomatoes**

**Ingredients**

* 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

* 1 medium onion, diced

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

* 1 tsp ground cumin

* 1 tsp chili powder

* 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

* 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

* 2 ears fresh corn, husks removed

* 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached)

* 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

* Juice of 1 lime

* Salt and pepper, to taste

* 6–8 corn tortillas, cut into strips

* 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for tortilla strips)

**Garnishes (optional)**

* Sliced avocado

* Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack

* Chopped cilantro

* Sour cream or crema

* Lime wedges

**Instructions**

1. **Char the corn**

   * Heat a dry skillet or grill pan over high heat.

   * Add whole ears of corn and turn every 2 minutes until lightly blackened all over (8–10 minutes).

   * Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob; set aside.

2. **Sauté aromatics**

   * In a large pot over medium heat, warm 1 Tbsp oil.

   * Add onion and cook until translucent, 4 minutes.

   * Stir in garlic, jalapeño, cumin, and chili powder; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. **Build the soup**

   * Pour in chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices).

   * Bring to a simmer, then stir in shredded chicken, charred corn, and black beans.

   * Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.

   * Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper.

4. **Make tortilla strips**

   * Toss tortilla strips with 2 Tbsp oil and a pinch of salt.

   * **To fry:** Heat a skillet over medium-high, fry strips until crisp (1 minute per side), drain on paper towels.

   * **To bake:** Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes, tossing once, until golden.

5. **Serve**

   * Ladle soup into bowls.

   * Top with tortilla strips and your choice of garnishes: avocado, cheese, cilantro, crema, and lime wedges.

Enjoy the smoky sweetness of charred corn and the bold flavor of fire-roasted tomatoes in every comforting spoonful!

Bonne cuisine ! 👩 🍳

1. Q: What is your favorite dish to cook?

A: My favorite dish to cook is spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce. I enjoy boiling the pasta until it is perfectly soft and then mixing it with a rich sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. It is simple, delicious, and reminds me of family dinners.

2. Q: How often do you cook at home?

A: I cook at home almost every day because I like eating fresh and healthy food. Cooking also helps me relax after a long day, and it’s much cheaper than eating at restaurants all the time.

3. Q: Do you prefer baking or frying?

A: I prefer baking because it is healthier and doesn’t require a lot of oil. I also like the smell of baked food filling the kitchen, especially when I am making cakes or bread.

4. Q: What ingredients do you always keep in your kitchen?

A: I always keep basic ingredients like salt, pepper, olive oil, onions, garlic, and flour. These are essential for most recipes, and I can prepare many dishes just by adding vegetables or meat.

5. Q: Have you ever tried cooking a foreign recipe?

A: Yes, I have tried cooking Italian pizza at home. I made the dough from scratch, added tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, and baked it in the oven. It was a fun experience and very tasty.

6. Q: What is the easiest meal you can prepare?

A: The easiest meal I can prepare is an omelette. I just beat some eggs, add a little salt, pepper, and maybe some cheese or vegetables, and cook it in a pan for a few minutes.

7. Q: Which spices do you use the most?

A: I use cumin, paprika, black pepper, and oregano the most. These spices add a lot of flavor to my dishes, especially when I cook meat, chicken, or soups.

8. Q: Do you follow recipes or cook from memory?

A: I usually cook from memory because I know most of my favorite recipes by heart. Sometimes, I check recipes online when I want to try something new.

9. Q: Have you ever made bread from scratch?

A: Yes, I have made bread at home before. I mixed flour, yeast, salt, and water, kneaded the dough, and let it rise for a few hours before baking it. The smell of fresh bread is amazing.

10. Q: What is the most difficult dish you’ve ever cooked?

A: The most difficult dish I’ve cooked is lasagna. It takes a long time because you have to prepare the pasta, the meat sauce, the cheese sauce, and then layer everything before baking it.

11. Q: Do you prefer sweet or savory dishes?

A: I prefer sweet dishes because I love desserts. Cakes, cookies, and puddings are my favorite, especially anything with chocolate.

12. Q: How do you usually season your food?

A: I usually season my food with salt, black pepper, and a mix of herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. For some dishes, I also add lemon juice or vinegar for extra flavor.

13. Q: What is your favorite dessert to make?

A: My favorite dessert to make is chocolate cake. I enjoy melting the chocolate, mixing it with butter, sugar, and eggs, and baking it until it’s soft and moist.

14. Q: Do you enjoy cooking for guests?

A: Yes, I enjoy cooking for guests very much. It makes me happy to see people enjoying my food, and it’s a great way to spend time together.

15. Q: Have you ever created your own recipe?

A: Yes, I created a special salad recipe with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and a dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. It’s fresh, sweet, and sour at the same time.